Leeds Rhinos boss Rohan Smith plays down 2022 comparisons but thankful for timely reminder

The Rhinos struggled for consistency in the first half of the campaign and appeared to be out of the running for the top six following back-to-back defeats against bottom two Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity.

Leeds memorably won nine of their last 11 games in 2022 to secure a play-off place before going all the way to Old Trafford and are threatening a similar charge after backing up last week's demolition of Huddersfield Giants with a commanding 22-6 win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

But Smith said: "I don't see it that way until after the run.

"Even last year, I haven't really reflected on that yet. Recruitment and planning for the next season starts after your last game for a coach.

"It's important that we dust off. We've reminded ourselves that we can play well back-to-back weeks but the next task against Salford is going to be a big one.

"They're a different threat altogether. At their place on a Sunday arvo, it's going to be a tough gig."

Leeds raced into a 16-0 lead inside the opening quarter against an out-of-sorts Warrington and never looked in danger of losing the round 17 contest, even if they did fail to put the game out of the hosts reach until the dying stages.

Smith was particularly impressed with the Rhinos' defence after restricting Daryl Powell's second-placed side to Matty Ashton's late try.

“It was a quality performance,” said Smith.

“I think to shut out a high-performing team that has won a lot of games this year, we didn’t give them an opportunity in the game.

“It was a good, hard-fought game for the most part. But once we got hold of the scoreboard, we didn’t give them a look in.

“I thought we defended very well in the first half particularly and thought in the second we scrambled hard.

“The only try scored tonight was somewhat questionable at least. I enjoyed the scramble there at the end.”