Kruise Leeming exit confirmed by Leeds head coach Rohan Smith

Leeds boss Rohan Smith has confirmed that 2022 captain and current number nine Kruise Leeming has left the club with immediate effect. 

Leeming, 27, was not named for the side’s fixture against Castleford on Thursday, going to to lose 14-8 at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle in Round Five.

Smith said Leeming – who led his side out in last season’s Grand Final at Old Trafford – had requested and been granted a release.

The head coach said: “He (Kruise Leeming) has requested a release and he has been given the opportunity to seek one.

“I’m not exactly sure of the timing but I found out earlier this week. I’m not sure when people were made aware but it hasn’t been discussed as a group.

“I’ll just go to players who are Leeds Rhinos.”

Rohan Smith on defeat

The Rhinos fell to their third defeat of the season, landing them in eighth spot on the Super League table following their defeat to Castleford.

The side had led 8-6 at the break thanks to a try from Richie Myler and two goals from Rhyse Martin. However, the Tigers managed to keep their opponents scoreless in the second 40, going on to claim a victory with two tries from winger Bureta Faraimo.

Smith admitted: “We just really failed to get into that second half. We made some really fundamental errors that didn’t allow us to get any rhythm.

“It was a hard game and we showed patches of good, solid arm-wrestle footy. But it was one of those nights where it was hard to get out of that hole.”

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