Leeds Rhinos reaction: Rohan Smith 'not surprised' by Riley Lumb's superb debut in win at Hull FC

Lumb’s first senior performance was the highlight of today’s 18-12 win at Hull FC which got Rhinos back on track in Betfred Super League following successive defeats. The 19-year-old scored a spectacular touchdown to open Rhinos ‘ account and added a scrambled second just before the break.

He was drafted into the side after playing on dual-registration for Halifax Panthers in the Betfred Championship seven days earlier, which was his debut as a professional player. Smith was “really proud” of the way the former Lock Lane, Castleford, youngster coped. He said: “He’s a kid who has come through our system and he featured significantly there under pressure today.

“He takes everything in his stride - he was telling me at the back end of last year. He doesn’t lack confidence, but he also knew he had some work to do on his game and his body and he has done that.

“I am not surprised he has done what he has done, he’s a very talented young bloke and very tough. He understands the game, but it’s game one. He needs to dust it off and get ready to go again.”

Assessing Rhinos’ performance, Smith said: “I thought we defended really well. We set our stall out to kick-chase well and make them kick from their own half, which I think we did a pretty good job at overall.

“I was particularly pleased with how a lot of the young kids defended at the back end of the game, when the game was on the line and there was a lot of pressure. They came up with important plays.

“I thought our overall energy was good. I would have preferred a bit better execution at times to apply more pressure at the end of our sets, but we came to do a job against a very spirited and energetic team and we got what we needed.”

Rhinos led by six points at the break and went 18-6 ahead after 52 minute, only for Hull to immediately hit back. After Leeds had a touchdown controversially ruled out on video evidence, Hull pressed strongly for an equaliser in the final quarter, but Smith insisted he “felt pretty composed myself” as his men saw the game out.

“I felt pretty composed myself,” he said. “The shape of our defensive line was very sound. They were throwing a bit at us with late offloads – not many clubs force offloads out the back and play a bit hot like that very often – so that was a difficult thing to face at times. But I felt pretty confident our D-line would hold together, we defended well today and have in the main through the course of the year.”

Centre Paul Momirovski could be facing a layoff after rolling an ankle in the second half, meaning Rhinos’ numbers two, three, four and five are now all on the casualty list. Smith is hopeful Momirovski's injury will not mean a long spell on the sidelines.

He said: “It doesn't look that way, but with an ankle, knee or shoulder it's generally a scan before anyone wants to [give a definite opinion]. I don't really ask until they have the scan, that's the best way.”

Injuries in the three-quarters could mean more chances for rookies including Lumb, Ned McCormack and Alfie Edgell, a substitute who played out of position at centre on Sunday following Momirovski's exit. Smith insisted he has no fears about any of them featuring in Super League.

“I love those young kids, I've told them over and over that I am a big fan of them,” he said. “We've done a lot in the last couple of years to develop those kids behind the scenes.

“Alfie has never played centre in any game. He has played it at training a lot to get used to that opportunity, but those kids doing that - a lot of work has gone into that and will continue to go into those young kids to have them ready to fill in when needed. [On Sunday] they didn't just fill in, they did a good job.”