Ex-Leeds Rhinos boss Rohan Smith lands new coaching job

Smith, who left Leeds in June, has returned to his previous club, Brisbane-based Norths Devils. Smith coached Norths from 2018 until being appointed by Rhinos at the end of April, 2022.

Norths won the Queensland Cup Grand Final under Smith in 2021 and achieved their second successive Premiership this season before going on to win the State Championship last weekend. Smith, who replaces Dave Elliott, will officially begin his new job on November 1.

Devils chief executive Troy Rovelli told the club’s website: “Rohan Smith returns to our club as we build on the benchmarks set within this club over recent years. Rohan is simply an outstanding coach who understands our club and specialises in identifying and developing talent.

“He oversaw a squad in 2021 without any NRL-contracted players that went on to win the Premiership and lost just two matches during the season. We have been fortunate to watch 15 of our players go from Devils contracts to full-time contracts in the last four years and the culture created by Rohan has played a significant role in that.”

Smith, who steered Rhinos to the Betfred Super League Grand Final two years ago, said: “I very much enjoyed my five seasons at Norths which produced many friendships and very positive memories for me and my family. We’re very much looking forward to coming back to a club that has such a strong history and plays such an important role in its community. The future of the Devils continues to be positive and we look forward to the next steps.”

Rhinos this week signed front-rower Cooper Jenkins from Devils on a two-year contract, though he made his debut in 2024 and didn’t play under Smith.