Super League 2023: Cameron Smith helping to lead the way as Leeds Rhinos aim to continue revival | Rugby League News

Cameron Smith is targeting another Super League Grand Final appearance with Leeds in 2023

If there is one game that represents the fortunes of Leeds Rhinos during the 2022 Betfred Super League season, it is about Cameron Smith’s stunning golden point victory last July against Catalans Dragons.

Beaten 24-6 in the sweltering Perpignan heat and down to 12 men after Matt Prior’s red card for a high tackle, the Rhinos could have bounced back and sent the game into extra time before Aidan Sezer’s try. won 36-32.

As for Smith’s back line, it shows how far Leeds have come since the appointment of head coach Rohan Smith two months earlier after a poor start to the campaign that saw the eight-time Super League champions embroiled in a relegation battle.

Indeed, neither the 24-year-old nor his team-mates at that stage would have ended their season walking down Old Trafford to face defending champions St Helens in the Grand Final.

“A lot of us probably couldn’t see our way out at that point,” Smith, who played at halfback in the 24-12 loss against the Saints, said. Sky Sports. “We spent more time than we should have.

“So when Rohan came in and the transition started to happen, we developed that confidence and just knowing how to win games, even if they were tight, we could win them.

“At the beginning of the year, we were close and fell short, so we are in a difficult position, but what a transformation. The main thing is to play with a smile on our face regardless of what is happening and the noise around us.

Leeds players celebrate after their golden victory over the Catalans last July

“Credit to the boys, I know it’s a cliché to say, but we have to dig deep and find a lot of ourselves not only as a team but as individuals to get to the Grand Final at the end of the year.”

A sign of how the Rhinos have done things differently since Australia, whose uncle Tony – now supervises Hull FC – enjoyed a successful coaching spell at Headingley earlier in his career, taking responsibility is the decision not to choose a full-time captain for. the season of 2023.

Smith was one of the players who filled that role in last year’s game alongside the now injured Kruise Leeming, Ash Handley and Mikolaj Oledzki, and believes having different voices will benefit the whole squad.

“My leadership role is that I like to manage, I like to talk to people, I’m approachable, I’m a student of the game and I really like the game,” Smith said.

I want to see myself as a leader and I want to spend as much time leading people as possible. Also, I want people to be able to influence me the way I am, and whatever the team needs is what needs to happen.

Leeds forward Cameron Smith

“Leadership to me is measured by how well you can be a good person to the people around you, and on the field you will do things that people don’t want or what you should do in terms of driving standards. and being a good communicator in the middle of the field – especially in my role.

“Then there are players in our team who have experience and rugby league savvy players who will bring their own thinking. As long as we can all chip in, I think it will work well.

“I want to see myself as a leader and I want to spend as much time leading people as I can.

Born in Pontefract, the former Castleford Panthers junior has made over 100 appearances for the Rhinos since making his debut in 2016 and has been regarded as one of the more senior members of the squad despite his youth.

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Jamie Jones-Buchanan says Leeds Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith has improved all his players and will continue to do so this season.

He is one of the latest graduates from Leeds’ famous academy which continues to produce Super League standard players who form the backbone of the squad, and Smith will no doubt add winger Derrell Olpherts and international striker Samoa Sam. Lisone will add homegrown talent.

“It’s different when you come through the system,” Smith said. “You know how heavy the badge is and how prestigious it is to play for the Rhinos and to be involved with them for so many years is an honour.

“If you look back at when Leeds have been successful in the past, they have kept their core players.

“There is a core of players I have come up to play with, and if we can trickle-feed a little experience and quality there like we have done, we have had a good and good year, a successful period with. Rhinoceros.”

Despite their run to the Grand Final last year, Leeds were unable to stop St Helens from claiming their fourth Super League title and breaking the Rhinos’ record of three consecutive Grand Final wins in the summer.

Leeds’ bid to return to Old Trafford and progress again in 2023 begins in their season opener away to Warrington Wolves on Thursday, live on Sky Sportsand Smith knew what it would take to prevent the Saints from winning again.

“The word is consistency,” Smith said. “If we can start the year like we did at the end of last year, I think we will be better.

“There are a number of individual players that have come in to impact our team, so as long as we’re all on the same page and continue to work hard at what we need to do, there’s no reason why we can’t do it. Continue.”

The new Super League season kicks off on Thursday, February 16 when Warrington Wolves host Leeds Rhinos. Watch 66 live matches, including Magic Weekend, play-offs and the Grand Final, on Sky Sports in 2023 and stream on NOW TV.