Rohan Smith wants Leeds players to learn lessons from latest bans

Leeds coach Rohan Smith says he wants his ill-disciplined Rhinos to use their latest raft of suspensions as a learning curve moving forwards.

The Rhinos have been hit by three suspensions from the Rugby Football League’s match review panel following their 42-12 defeat at St Helens last Thursday.

Zane Tetevano has been referred to tribunal on Tuesday evening after being sent off for a high shot on Konrad Hurrell. The 31-year-old is facing up to a five-match ban.

His team-mates Harry Newman and Bodene Thompson are each facing two-match suspensions. Smith confirmed the Rhinos will appeal Newman’s ban after being charged for Grade C ‘aggressive behaviour towards a match official’.

Smith said: “We’ve been spending some time this morning looking at some other situations of similar nature. We’ve also been getting some advice from some well-respected people around the game so we are looking to see where it goes.”

James Bentley was also sin-binned against his former club Saints but will not face any further action from the disciplinary panel.

Smith insists Tetevano still has a future at Headingley despite his latest suspension. Smith has been impressed with the Cook Islands and New Zealand international since taking charge at the Rhinos.

He said: “Zane’s contracted and these things happen in combat sport.

“This is the first incident in my time with Zane so I can only speak for myself here. It was in a state of the game where there wasn’t a need for any real aggression or intent in that moment so that is a bit of a game management situation.

“I actually feel like he’s been very much in control and played good, steady rugby in the period of time I’ve been here.”

KUKIS: Leeds powerhouse Zane Tetevano eyes World Cup spot with Cook Islands

Rohan Smith: We’ve got to learn our lessons

Smith says he wants his players to learn lessons from their latest bout of suspensions.

He said: “I think each case is its own and each person is to be treated as an individual.

“In Bodene’s situation, that was purely an accident and a reactionary thing when he got wrong-footed. It wasn’t dangerous, it was just one of those things.

“In James’ case, it wasn’t an aggressive reaction either. It was just a bit of silliness at the end of the game. It was a bit of frustration that we put a lot into the game but we were outplayed.

“Zane’s was a different situation. There was a big strong player carrying the ball in his area and anyone who has played in front of Konny (Hurrell) knows you have got to be ready to brace yourself. He applied the technique probably not at the right time.

“In a combat sport things are going to happen, players can definitely learn from things. You see players over their career they develop new skills, new positions or most players grow and evolve with time. That is up to the individual to learn from their situations and take it from there.

“It is always about who is playing this week and moving forward. We’ve got to learn our lessons from the last situation but we’ve got to move forward and that’s all I’m focused on. Individually, conversations have been had but as a team and a collective we’ve got to move forward.”

Rohan Smith and his Rhinos will look to return to winning ways when they travel to Hull on Saturday.

PODCAST: John Kear on international rugby league, re-structure & new Widnes role