Peter Smith: Leeds Rhinos look as strong as ever

Having won every available trophy last year, at first glance it would seem like the only way is down.

But in fact Rhinos could add to their collection of silverware as early as the fourth game of the year when they take on Australian Grand Final winners North Queensland Cowboys in the World Club Challenge.

That should be an outstanding occasion – who wouldn’t want to see the sport’s best player, Johnathan Thurston, strutting his stuff at Headingley? – and will be an early challenge for a new-look Leeds side.

Naturally it will take Rhinos a while to adjust to life without Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai, who all bowed out on such a high at Old Trafford last October.

Sinfield and Peacock, in particular, were among the most influential players in the competition and Rhinos would not have won the trophies they did over the last few years without them.

But, taken as a whole, Leeds’ squad does not actually look any weaker. Their outside-backs are arguably the best in Super League, all of them are still relatively young and they have improvement in them.

Zak Hardaker needs to prove 2015, when he won Man of Steel, was not a one-off, but he will benefit from Sam Tomkins’ return to the competition at Wigan.

Hardaker has an opportunity to settle the argument over who is England’s best full-back and that will be a big incentive.

He also has competition nearer to home, in the shape of 19-year-old Ashton Golding. The youngster is a rare talent and would be a Super League regular at virtually any other club.

His presence gives Leeds’ backs some much-needed depth, as will winger Ash Handley, who performed so well when Tom Briscoe was injured last year.

Should Leeds suffer a major injury in the outside-backs, something they have been prone to in recent seasons, they have the ability to cover that.

Up front, Keith Galloway – who has played for Australia – has the credentials to plug some of the gap left by Peacock’s retirement.

In fact, Rhinos’ pack appears as strong as it ever was. Adam Cuthbertson may have to adapt his game a little, after some of Leeds’ rivals wised-up to his offloading in the second half of last term, but he has shown what a good player he is.

Brett Ferres left Huddersfield Giants under a cloud, but was outstanding for England in last autumn’s Test series against New Zealand and, as a noted try scorer, will give Leeds’ back-row an added dimension.

Hooker Beau Falloon is more of an unknown quantity, but has a good pedigree. Forward Anthony Mullally probably falls into the category of ‘project’, but is big, strong and quick and impressed during a spell on loan from Huddersfield at Wakefield last season.

With so much ability in both the outside-backs and pack, the halves will hold the key to Rhinos’ fortunes.

In his new role as captain Danny McGuire will have to dampen some of his natural fire, but he is coming off the back of an outstanding year when he was unlucky not to earn Test selection.

Much will depend on his 
likely partnership with Liam Sutcliffe, who looked good before suffering a serious knee injury last summer.

Another option is 19-year-old Jordan Lilley, who dipped a toe into Super League at the end of 2015. He is a classy player, he can organise those around him and is a quality goal kicker, which is something Leeds will need this year.

There could also be an option of moving Hardaker up to stand-off, which would give Golding some game time at full-back.

It will be a big nine months for Brian McDermott, now entering his sixth season in charge. That extends his record as Leeds’ longest-serving Super League coach.

Normally he would be 
nearing the time when both club and coach would benefit from a change, but – like the team – McDermott has new challenges ahead of him.

Leeds are in a transitional period, with other members of the golden generation set to bow out over the next few years and managing that may be his biggest test.

He also needs to prove Rhinos can cope without the influence of Peacock and Sinfield, who were such natural leaders.

Despite their departure, Leeds look in better shape than they did 12 months ago, other than possibly their goal-kicking. As usual, staying injury-free will be important, but the final stage of the treble was achieved without several first-choice players and Rhinos’ squad is deeper now.

Stevie Ward and Jamie Jones-Buchanan will miss the early stages, but will return at a good time mid-way through the regular season.

Looking ahead, 17-year-olds Cameron Smith and Mikolaj Oledzki had a taste of senior action in pre-season and could be the next two from Rhinos’ production line to make the step up into Super League.

It is asking a lot for this season to be as exciting or successful as 2015, but all the ingredients are in place for another fascinating year.