Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 3:34 pm  

Magic Superbeetle wrote:

In 2015 we finished 2nd in Cunningham's first year. In 2016 we finished a lowly 4th. We might have finished lower again in 2017, but Cunningham was out, and Holbrook was in, and we were an American Football style block away from meeting you in the Grand Final (or Mark Percival being able to kick a goal in Castleford - whichever you prefer).

We weren't bad under Cunningham, just disappointing - and there were lots of other factors poisoning the club (like Cunningham insulting the fans). We went from discussing dynasties from Browns team to needing a complete rebuild when Holbrook came in (not that he did - basically the same players under Cunningham became league leaders under Holbrook).

cheers i thought in that semi would have been better to play yourselves than cas before their meltdown

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 3:41 pm  

He's been given 3.5 years so it's recognized it's a big job and he must be given time . Things didn't happen immediately with Roy Francis. At first I was underwhelmed, but now I'm not his father and his uncle were both successful coaches over here and he may have inherited something from them .I'm very interested how it progresses

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 3:53 pm  

batleyrhino wrote:

Work Visa takes up to 3 weeks if you're not already in UK, 8 weeks if you are bizarrely enough...

Then they will book flights, etc.

My bet is at least 1 month. Will be interesting to see what (if anything) changes for us in the meantime. Worrying times, Friday is the most "must win" game we've had in a very long time....

Surely you don't think he has been signed today.Gary was in Australia over 3 weeks ago,for all we know he was the only person he talked to so plane could have been booked weeks ago same with visa.

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 4:00 pm  

If he was signed up 3 weeks ago what’s the point of the board meeting or are you saying that GH is outright lying?

My bet would be that they had agreed a deal in principle over the last few days, that a contract was agreed emailed over and that following the board meeting Gary could sign on our behalf. That’s how any normal regulated business would operate, certainly the ones I’ve been a Director of.

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 4:20 pm  

I first daw Rohan innaction 2005 when he was assistant at the broncos, we played them in Perpignon and i was sat just above broncos bench. We were well in the lead and in control and they fought back and won it, I could here smith pulling the stings and got one over his uncle, i had hoped we would get him in after Mclellan.

This is a good signing. There are only 28 head coaches jobs at the top in world RL and getting an NRL head it assistant is highly unlikely, and there are few quility British coaches around at the moment certainly not with Smiths experience and relatively youth coaching wise.

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 4:31 pm  

I'm ok with this, but he has to be given free rein to do what he wants/ needs to do and even if he can't officially start yet I hope we start to see his input

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 4:32 pm  

One of my favourite coaches we’ve had since Mick Potter.

He’ll get you playing again. We looked very good in 2016 with Rohan in charge and I honestly thought he was going to stay. Alas, off field problems crippled us and Lowe brought in Toovey.

Obviously a lot is on the players too but I for one think Rohan will be a decent signing. Although it is a big step up to SL.

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 4:37 pm  

I reckon this might turn out well.
Needs someone committed to building something good and who can actually turn youngsters with potential into internationals.
Three and a half year contract and you've a situation where sacking the coach isn't necessarily cheaper than firing a player.
Bring it on.

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 4:50 pm  

Given the current state of SL and more importantly the state of Leeds Rhinos, this is as good as we could have expected tbh.
Maybe a bit underwhelming, but we were never going to get a big name NRL coach.
Why would one come to SL and particularly a team fighting relegation and miles off the top half.
Sounds like he's well thought of, he's young, hungry and has a track record of developing younger players.
It will take time for him to have an impact - let's just hope it's not too late.

Sounds like Uncle Tony as DOR as well....

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 4:52 pm  

I've been following Rohan Smith's career closely for the last 2 hours...

We need to give the bloke a chance. He seems well thought of and it's a huge opportunity for him. He's of an age where you'd expect him to live and breathe the job and deliver a lot of energy and ideas.

I'm hopeful. We should be getting players back in the next 3 or 4 weeks so it could be great timing for him and the club.