Max Simpson's pain, Cameron Smith exit and the Jarrod O'Connor derby: latest Leeds Rhinos talking points
Leeds Rhinos have had a difficult few days, with injury concerns and confirmation of another influential player’s impending departure.
Ash Handley (groin), James McDonnell (ankle) and Chris Hankinson (broken nose) were all hurt during Rhinos’ 46-16 win against Bradford Bulls in Cameron Smith’s testimonial game, but young centre Max Simpson’s suspected anterior cruciate ligament (acl) injury was the biggest shock. In another blow, Leeds today (Tuesday) confirmed Smith will leave the club when his contract expires in November, but they are close to announcing a new deal for hooker Jarrod O’Connor. Here’s five talking points.
1: Here today, gone next year. The December 1 anti-tampering deadline means fans will have to get used to early announcements about players leaving at the end of the season. Rhinos have three in that category: the Perth Bears-bound pairing of Harry Newman and McDonnell, plus Smith who will join Wakefield Trinity in 2027.
Like the others, Smith - whose departure when his contract expires at the end of the year was announced today (Tuesday) - is a loss; he’s a good player who can operate in a variety of roles and is still relatively young at 27. However, he dropped down the squad order this year, from 13 to 17 and lost the joint-captaincy after an injury-hit 2025 campaign so his exit isn’t a total shock.
Rhinos were spoiled when an entire generation of players stayed together from around 2004-2015, which is incredibly rare in a salary cap sport. The early notice benefits Leeds who are working on recruitment for next year and beyond, but with new number 13 Keenan Palasia having recently signed a lengthy contract, O’Connor set to re-sign and Presley Cassell emerging as one of the country’s best young pack men, they already have good options for the loose-forward role.
2: Max pain.Simpson’s suspected anterior cruciate ligament (acl) injury overshadowed the result and performance - both of which were okay, overall - from the game against Bulls. Simpson, 21, returned last summer after three years out of action with a similar injury to his other knee.
He has worked incredibly hard and overcome more at his young age than many players do in a full career, so if anyone deserved a bit of good fortune, it was him. Simpson had a year left on his contract, but signed a new deal last month so doesn’t have to worry too much about his immediate future, which is a positive, but he’s now back at the start of a long, difficult road. Coach Brad Arthur rates him and he is a potential contender to replace Newman when he leaves at the end of this season, so it’s a blow for the club as well.
3: What now? When Maika Sivo suffered his acl injury a year ago yesterday, Rhinos signed a replacement, Australian outside-back Ethan Clark-Wood. Having not played a competitive game this year, Simpson isn’t on the 2026 salary cap and there is room to sign someone if necessary.
With Alfie Edgell on the long-term casualty list and Handley also having limped out of last weekend’s game, Rhinos are already looking a little thin in the outside-backs. Ned McCormack, Hankinson and Riley Lumb are options from within the existing squad, but teenager Oscar Brown has moved a step closer to a first team chance.
The former rugby union man did well in pre-season, scoring a superb solo try against Castleford and is a player Rhinos rate highly. Even at this very early stage, though, Rhinos can’t afford many more injuries in the outside-backs so will be tempted to bring someone in.
4: Jarrod O’Connor derby. Widnes Vikings’ Betfred Challenge Cup win at Thatto Heath on Sunday means the Jarrod O’Connor derby is on. Leeds will visit the Championship club - their hooker’s hometown side and the one he joined them from seven years ago - on Saturday, February 7.
Rhinos had hoped for a Friday night fixture, giving them a full week’s turnaround to Super League round one at Leigh Leopards, but it’s neither the best nor worst draw for them. Widnes are a solid second-tier side who should give Leeds a game for a while, but it’s not a tie the Super League team would be expected to lose.
It’s also somewhere Rhinos haven’t been for a while, which adds interest, but - though they train on one at Kirkstall - Leeds would probably have preferred to avoid Widnes’ plastic pitch, especially after picking up five injuries in their three pre-season games.
5: Ruck and roll. The opening weeks of the season might be frustrating, but it’ll be worth it in the long run. Referees will be enforcing quicker play-the-balls this year which will make the game a better spectacle. Hopefully they’ll stick at it, the message will get across and the number of penalties, inevitably high at the start of any crackdown, will be reduced. Rhinos struggled at times last year in games with a slow ruck and the policy is something which should suit them.