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BACK-TO-BACK WINs may not have turned Leeds Rhinos’ season completely around, but they have certainly put the YEP fans’ jury in a better frame of mind.

After keeping a clean sheet against Hull KR with a depleted team, new boss Rohan Smith’s arrival this week and the prospect of some key players returning for the next game have our panel in optimistic mood.

Here they reflect on last week’s win, welcome Smith’s arrival and point out good signs from stand-off Blake Austin.

Tom Rhodes

Interim Leeds Rhinos coach Jamie Jones-Buchanan, centre, makes way tomorrow for new head coach Rohan Smith. Picture: Bruce Rollinson/NationalWorld.

What a performance that was on Friday night.

The performance against Hull KR is the best I’ve seen all season. I know we beat Wakefield by a hefty amount but, on Friday, I don’t think many of us thought we would beat Hull KR after seeing they were putting out an experienced squad.

There are still a few things to work on such as getting over the try line when we’re 10 metres out. But I have mentioned in previous articles about playing boring rugby and this time they did not do that, instead they threw the ball about and tried new things which looked good and gained us metres.

Man of the match for me on that night was definitely Blake Austin; decent kicking and excellent game management.

Incoming Leeds Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe/NationalWorld.

Having Jack Sinfield by his side, they are starting to become a decent duo.

We now have a week off owing to the Challenge Cup semi-finals so that gives Rohan plenty of time to build on that performance. We could have a few bodies back as well, such as Aidan Sezer and David Fusitu’a, JJB said in the post-match press conference.

It sounds like they are not far away and will be a great addition.

Oliver Limon

YEP Leeds Rhinos Jury: Surprise win a credit to JJB and gives Smith something to build on