Leeds Rhinos testimonial ace Cameron Smith backs new captain, talks contract latest as 'fire lit' for big year

Smith, who will return from long-term injury when Rhinos play host to Bradford Bulls in his testimonial game on Saturday, says Ash Handley is “no doubt” the right man to skipper the side this season. Smith shared the role with Handley in 2025, but two serious injuries meant he made only 12 first team appearances, eight of those as a substitute.

Coach Brad Arthur last month named Handley as stand-alone captain for the new campaign, with Kallum Watkins as second in command. Smith also reverted to the number 17 jersey, having worn 13 for the previous three seasons.

The loose-forward insisted: “I understand the reasoning. Ash is no doubt the man to take this club forward and he has got my full support, as well as Kal, but nothing changes for me. It wasn’t nice to hear at the start, but the reasoning behind it was I only featured rarely [last year]. Nothing will ever change the way I am or the way I play. The same for the number. I enjoyed having the 13 jersey while it was mine, but Keenan [Palasia] has taken it on and I am just going to do my job I’ve been given and ultimately get back playing some consistent rugby.”

With Palasia and Watkins also in the mix, Rhinos have strong competition for the loose-forward role. Smith stressed: “To be a champion team you need that competition in and around you. It has lit the fire a bit more in my stomach to get back to my best and make sure I am in the team every week. It is exciting, more than anything, to play with the calibre of people we’ve got in the middle of the field and also the younger lads who are pushing us older lads out of our spots.”

Smith is one of eight Leeds players due out of contract at the end of this season. He revealed: “I’ve not given it any thought at the moment. Taking on a testimonial is a task in itself so I am just grateful to be back in the mix and I want to get playing and do my talking on the field.”