NEW Leeds Rhinos sporting director Ian Blease has stressed that he will not rush into any decisions amid ongoing scrutiny over Rohan Smith's position as head coach.
Blease will head up the club's rugby operation with autonomy over player and staff retention and recruitment. The former Salford Red Devils supremo plans to conduct a 'root and branch review' of the performance department but insisted there would not be a special focus on the head coach. 'It's not particularly just that role,' said Blease, who had dealings with former Bradford Bulls boss Smith during his time as an agent.
'The past history says Leeds have won a lot of trophies but they haven't done that recently,' he said. 'Sport doesn't give it to you; you've got to work damn hard for it. The players and staff will know that. 'Sometimes it can fall away. There are cycles in sport of teams succeeding, dropping down and coming back. You see it in football and in rugby. 'I see this as a new journey and a new era where I can put my stamp on it.
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