Rohan Smith is obviously a dead man walking, it’s just a matter of how long he’s allowed to stagger on or whether he removes himself from the nightmare. For most normal people the pressure would be almost unbearable, but I’m not sure how Smith is wired. There’s also the financial considerations for Smith and the club, and I’ve a feeling Smith will need to be shown the door rather than just walking away. It must be embarrassing for Smith to look anyone who knows him in the eye whether that’s behind the gates at Headingley or supporters that see him in his civvies. When you hear of the unrest amongst some St Helens fans while they sit at the top of the table, it’s easy to understand how the situation is becoming so toxic amongst the Leeds support base.

Just listened to a bit of the Lot Pod (good job guys), and they mentioned an interesting stat. Following the initial bounce in the half season where we got to the GF, Smith’s Leeds have only won 17 out of 41 games since. That’s appalling, other coaches have been shown the door for similar form, he can’t possibly stay.

If it's new coach time we should be reaching out now and see who can meet the criteria ( proven quality/ can come ASAP/ 3-4 weeks) rather than temp coach for half a season and then another new coach imo.

Brad Arthur or Jason Demitriou fit that bill.

Was JD highly regarded and tipped to be a top NRL coach?

Not sure what’s gone on at souths though.

The rumour is that at Souths he treated a couple of players - Cody Walker and Lattrell Mitchell - with kid gloves, and they weren't being to the same standards as other players, with cliques emerging in the squad. Burgess apparently wanted them bringing into line and the row that developed led to him leaving. They've been awful this season under Demetriou, but Souths had allowed their roster to age badly, with a poor front row (sounds familiar...) and letting Adam Reynolds go being seen as really poor decisions.

Arthur was Ok at Parra I think but had probably just run his course. Not helped this year by injury to Moses, but they've taken a few hammerings and it looks as though the players had stopped listening.

Right now I'd say Demetriou would be higher risk, but who knows? Arthur would send a big message of intent at least.

Not sure either of them have covered themselves in glory recently.
I do think Cartwright will go well at Hull.
Whilst I watch some of the NRL there`s nobody that springs to mind that would be available.
Briers might be worth a punt and maybe Holbrook if he fancies another shot are 2 that might be interesting.
Or Ryan Carr but don`t know how he is performing over there tbh.

No they haven't. Demetriou was seen as one of the next generation of coaches to come through, but its really gone poorly at Souths. Arthur is more of an established name and would maybe fit the bill of wanting to show the club's intent? If we're in the world of assistant coaches then anyone's guess. Gus Gould has even suggested Parra should look at Brian Mac.....

Demetriou seems like too much of a gamble to me. I think there are two clear "statement" options - Arthur or Rowley.

Im not convinced Rowley is the answer, I think we need someone whos used to the kind of pressure that comes with coaching Leeds

So Brad Arthur, who has already said he would be happy to come to SL, is the answer. I’d punt Smith now, give Arthur the rest of the season to recharge, and let’s Wane stand in with Arthur overseeing the recruitment.

In reply to Christopher's earlier post - Not many will. Leeds is right up there with the most high pressure coaching jobs in the world, and unless it's a head coach from the NRL (Arthur fits the bill) the normal assistant coach type Aussie options remain a risk. Pros for Rowley are that he knows the comp, he knows some of our existing players very well, and he's right at the top of his game. Take your point about his lack of experience at big club though. There's also the other "Arthur" but I suspect GH might balk at my wage demands.

Can’t see Wane wanting s bit part role, he’s happy coaching England for 3 games a year, he also hates us doesn’t he?

Long term I agree, but I’d think he would be interested in a short term role if the money was right. His approach is also what we need, won’t stand for any crap, will let those not pulling their weight know.

17 wins out of 41 games is appalling. Not one for knee jerk reactions but this can't continue. If Brad Arthur could be persuaded to come over then not only would it would be a huge statement of intent by the club, but in my opinion we'd have a proven, top class coach for the first time in a long while.

Rhinos DNA, culture, brotherhood, hand in brothers on 3, breathing circles, 'the struggle ' coffees together....it all looks overly contrived and they could look any less connected as a result. It's a really hard moment for smith as he must surely be questioning his own philosophies