Super League grand final: Leeds Rhinos coach Rohan Smith closing gap on NRL rivals
The son of a legendary Parramatta mentor is fast building a reputation as a coaching guru — and could be in the frame for NRL jobs sooner rather than later.
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The next great NRL coach may not necessarily be under our nose. More than 16,000 kilometres away from the game’s heartland, Rohan Smith is closing the gap on the likes of Jason Ryles, Dean Young, Josh Hannay and Ben Hornby.
Smith is the son of legendary Parramatta coach Brian Smith and he is fast building a reputation as a coaching guru. The 41-year-old Smith didn’t have a stellar playing career – he never played professionally – but his coaching bloodlines are without peer.
He has performed miracles at Leeds, having turned the Super League strugglers into grand finalists. In the early hours of Sunday morning (AEST), Smith will lead the Rhinos into the Super League finale against St Helens, led by Dolphins coach-in-waiting Kristian Woolf.
Woolf has already been anointed as next in line after being appointed as the successor to Wayne Bennett at the NRL’s 17th team. It is a rivalry that may eventually become commonplace in the NRL if Smith stays on his current path.
Smith had humble beginnings – as a 21-year-old, he was given a job as a video analyst by then-Warriors coach Daniel Anderson. His first coaching job was as an assistant at the London Broncos before he had stints at the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle alongside his father.
He was head coach at Super League side Bradford before the club went into liquidation but it was his body of work at Brisbane Norths that really caught the eye.
Smith took over Norths and transformed them into a powerhouse, climaxing in a premiership last year with a side that was made up purely of Queensland Cup players.
They had no offcuts from the Broncos or the Titans. They did it on their own, without any help from the NRL clubs.
“I reflected on it a little bit the other day – five months ago I was at Ipswich and there were 300 people there in my last game with the Devils,” Smith said.
“Now we’re at Old Trafford. Crazy.”
Crazy indeed. As good as he was at Brisbane Norths, you could argue even that effort pales in comparison to what he has achieved at Leeds, a club his uncle Tony coached to grand final success nearly 20 years ago.
He arrived at a side that was bottom four in Super League and in contention for relegation. Since then, Leeds have won 13 of their past 17 matches, including two sudden-death finals wins over Mitchell Pearce’s Catalans and all-powerful Wigan.
Standing in their way is St Helens, victors last year under Woolf and no doubt intent on sending their coach out a winner as he prepares to pack his bags and join Bennett at the Dolphins next season.
Smith has eyes on the NRL as well, although he is no rush. Those who know him say he is father’s son, albeit with his own personality and talents. Can you be born a coach? Smith’s success would suggest yes.
“I love playing but I was always thinking more like a coach as a kid,” he said.
“I was always trying to get my mates to play well rather than ripping in myself sometimes. I think being around the dressing room from day one makes you think a certain way about footy.
“I have been fortunate to be around dad and all the coaches that work with him as well.”
He and Brian speak regularly. Always have.
“We talk a lot of footy,” Smith said.
“He has been watching a lot of our games. As he did last year, he was watching all the Devils games and giving me his two bob’s worth, which is always appreciated.
“I am grateful I have had that support and upbringing to help me. I don’t see it as a burden. I see it as being grateful that I can follow a bit along the path (of his dad and uncle Tony).
“They are both legends. For most people the first question is `how are you’, and the second is ‘how are dad or Tony’.”
Smith’s sole focus is on the grand final but in the back of his mind, there is no doubt a desire to one day coach in the NRL.
“I loved every day I was at the Norths Devils and there was no spotlight, no media and no big crowds,” Smith said.
“I just love coaching. I came here with the plan to be here for a good while. I don’t know what a good while means.
“Tony came here in 1999 and hasn’t been home. I want to build something that is successful and sustainable, and be part of something that is long term.
“I gave up worrying years ago about who is watching and who notices. I love being where I am and I do my best. That’s all I can do.”
It’s more than enough.
INVESTMENT PAYS OFF FOR RABBITOHS
Bill Knowles, the American training and conditioning guru who helped rebuild Latrell Mitchell, has been tuning in religiously to South Sydney games.
For the moment, he would prefer to let Mitchell and the Rabbitohs do the talking. All he will say is he is super happy with the way the Souths superstar is playing.
It’s not hard to imagine Knowles watching Souths games with a satisfied look on his face. Mitchell travelled to America in July looking to fast-track his recovery from a hamstring problem and ensure he was in shape to lead the Rabbitohs into a grand final.
It has been a canny investment. Mitchell has been a one-man wrecking ball since returning from Philadelphia, where he underwent daily work under the eye of Knowles, who has worked with the likes of Tiger Woods, Andy Murray and Jonny Wilkinson.
Mitchell is his latest success story as he prepares to lead Souths into the preliminary final against defending premier Penrith on Saturday night at Accor Stadium.
If the Rabbitohs are to win the game, Mitchell will have to be at his best. His very best. A win would further vindicate Souths’ decision to send Mitchell to America, although many would argue the trip has already paid for itself.
Knowles will be watching.
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