Rhinos are on the back of successive wins and Smith has confirmed there won’t be many changes, but he reckons fielding the same side every week isn’t always the right option.
“The way some coaches choose to go about it – always picking the same team if it’s available or training with the same team all the time – works well until one or two players aren’t available,” Smith said.
“Sometimes, when you have to make changes, people aren’t adaptable enough if you haven’t practiced that. Continuity is important, but also making sure you have the right people for the occasion and the week ahead is the battle.”
Smith will select for Friday from the 17 who beat Hull FC, plus Sam Walters, Jack Sinfield, Luis Roberts and James Bentley, who missed out last week because of a groin injury. Here’s how Rhinos could line up.
7. Scrum-half: Aidan Sezer
Picked up a couple of knocks last week, but Smith says he had trained fully and looked sharp. Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
8. Prop: Mikolaj Oledzki
Returned to the starting front-row last week and will take some shifting. Photo: John Clifton/SWpix.com
9. Hooker: Jarrod O'Connor
Has Corey Johnson breathing down his neck, but is ever-present under Smith's coaching. Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
10. Prop: Sam Lisone
Started last week - with Tom Holrloyd on the bench - and that worked, so why change? Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
11. Second-row: James McDonnell
Three tries in successive games, he'll be hard to leave out - especially against his former side. Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
12. Second-row: Zane Tetevano
Could be at prop or on the bench, but has shown some good form in the second-row. Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com