2022 Leeds Rhinos season

Last updated

2022 Leeds Rhinos season
Super League Rank5
Challenge Cup Sixth Round
2022 recordWins: 14; draws: 1; losses: 13
Points scoredFor: 577; against: 528
Team information
Chairman Flag of England.svg Paul Caddick
Head Coach Richard Agar (until March 2022)
Jamie Jones-Buchanan (interim)
Rohan Smith (from April 2022)
Captain
Stadium Headingley
Leeds, United Kingdom
Avg. attendance12,382
High attendance15,418 (v Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers)
Top scorers
Tries Flag of England.svg Ash Handley (17)
Goals Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Rhyse Martin (84)
Points Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Rhyse Martin (212)
←  2021 List of seasons 2023  →

This article details the Leeds Rhinos's rugby league football club's 2022 season. They were coached by Richard Agar until May 2022, Jamie Jones-Buchanan as an interim coach and Rohan Smith from April 2022 onwards. The Rhinos competed in both the 2022 Betfred Super League and the 2022 Challenge Cup.

Contents

Season review

On 12 February, Leeds began their Super League campaign with a 22–20 loss to Warrington Wolves [1] followed by losses at Wigan Warriors [2] and at home to Catalans Dragons [3] before their first win came in Round 4 with a 34–18 victory at Wakefield Trinity. [4] Leeds had an early exit from the Challenge Cup with a 40–16 defeat by Castleford Tigers, [5] and their run of poor results leading to the departure of Richard Agar as head coach meant that by mid-April Leeds were 11th in the table. [6] [7] Interim head coach Jamie Jones-Buchanan oversaw wins against Toulouse Olympique and Hull Kingston Rovers before the arrival of the newly appointed Rohan Smith. [7] [8] Towards the end of the season, Leeds went on a run of six wins [9] before suffering a 32–18 loss to Catalans Dragons at the end of August. It meant that to qualify for the play-offs Leeds needed to avoid defeat in the final round of the regular season against Castleford, which they achieved with two late tries that gave them a 14–8 victory. [10] [11]

Leeds began their play-off campaign by travelling to Perpignan where a hat-trick by Liam Sutcliffe gave them a 20–10 win over Catalans Dragons. [12] Leeds faced Wigan in the semi-final. At half time the score was 4–2 to Wigan, but a try from Jarrod O'Connor (his first for Leeds) and two from James Bentley saw Leeds reach their 11th Grand Final with a 20–8 win. [13] The Grand Final took place on 24 September at Old Trafford where Leeds lost 24–12 to St Helens. [6]

Results

Pre-season friendlies

W WinL Loss

DateVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
Pre-season results
26 December 2021 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity H Headingley W34–6 [14]
23 January Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls A Odsal Stadium W30–127,237 [15]
30 January Hullcolours.svg Hull F.C. A Headingley W38–6 [a] [16]
6 February Hunsletcolours.svg Hunslet A South Leeds Stadium L6–34McConnellSinfield [b] [17]

Super League

Table

PosTeam
PldWDLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1 Saintscolours.svg St Helens (C, L)272106674374+30042Advance to Semi-finals
2 Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors 271908818483+33538
3 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants 271719613497+11635Advance to Elimination Finals
4 Catalanscolours.svg Catalans Dragons 2716011539513+2632
5 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos 2714112577528+4929
6 Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils 2714013700602+9828
7 Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers 2713014544620−7626
8 HKRcolours.svg Hull Kingston Rovers 2712015498608−11024
9 Hullcolours.svg Hull FC 2711016508675−16722
10 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity 2710017497648−15120
11 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves 279018568664−9618
12 ToulouseRLcolours.png Toulouse Olympique (R)275022421745−32410Relegated to the Championship
Source:
(C) Champions; (L) League Leaders' Shield Winners; (R) Relegated

Super League results

W WinD DrawL Loss

DateRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
Super League results
12 February1 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves H Headingley L20–22Handley, Prior, TetevanoMartin (4)14,135 RLP
18 February2 Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors A DW Stadium L12–34Austin, PriorSezer (2)12,575 RLP
24 February3 Catalanscolours.svg Catalans Dragons H Headingley L4–10Austin10,655 RLP
3 March4 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity A Be Well Support Stadium W34–18Handley (3), Fusitu'a, Gannon, NewmanMartin (5)5,040 RLP
10 March5 Hullcolours.svg Hull FC H Headingley L8–31Briscoe, Sutcliffe11,552 RLP
18 March6 Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils A AJ Bell Stadium L12–26Handley, OledzkiMartin (2)5,756 RLP
1 April7 Saintscolours.svg St Helens H Headingley L0–266,519 RLP
14 April8 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants H Headingley D20–20Gannon, Martin, SutcliffeMartin (4)11,286 RLP
18 April9 Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers A Mend-A-Hose Jungle L14–16Martin (2)Martin (3)9,372 RLP
22 April10 ToulouseRLcolours.png Toulouse Olympique H Headingley W25–14Dwyer (2), Briscoe, DonaldsonMartin (4)11,167 RLP
29 April11 HKRcolours.svg Hull KR H Headingley W12–0Gannon, PriorMartin (2)13,333 RLP
15 May12 Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils A AJ Bell Stadium L8–23Handley, Oledzki4,473 RLP
20 May13 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity H Headingley W24–6Bentley (2), Austin, Fusitu'aMartin (4)14,190 RLP
3 June14 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves A Halliwell Jones Stadium W40–4Fusitu'a (2), Handley (2), Donaldson, Hardaker, Leeming, ThompsonMartin (4)9,984 RLP
10 June15 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants A John Smiths Stadium L16–30Handley, Hardaker, SutcliffeMartin (2)6,712 RLP
23 June16 Saintscolours.svg St Helens A Totally Wicked Stadium L12–42Newman, ThompsonMartin (2)11,288 RLP
2 July17 Hullcolours.svg Hull FC A MKM Stadium W62–16Handley (5), Leeming (2), Fusitu'a, Myler, Oledzki, SutcliffeMartin (9)10,682 RLP
9 July18 Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers N St James' Park W34–20Bentley, Handley, Myler, Prior, Sezer, SutcliffeMartin (5)36,821 RLP
16 July19 ToulouseRLcolours.png Toulouse Olympique A Stade Ernest Wallon L6–20DwyerMartin4,230 RLP
21 July20 Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors H Headingley W42–12Bentley, Dwyer, Martin, Mustapha, Newman, Smith, SutcliffeMartin (7)13,368 RLP
30 July21 Catalanscolours.svg Catalans Dragons A Stade Gilbert Brutus W36–32Myler (3), Dwyer, Sezer, SutcliffeMartin (6)8,165 RLP
7 August22 Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils H Headingley W34–14Martin (2), Handley, Myler, NewmanMartin (7)14,668 RLP
12 August23 HKRcolours.svg Hull Kingston Rovers A Sewell Group Craven Park W28–20Gannon (2), Myler (2), DwyerHardaker (4)8,028 RLP
19 August24 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves H Headingley W24–18Gannon, Handley, Martin, TetevanoMartin (4)13,152 RLP
24 August25 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants H Headingley W18–14Austin, Martin, MylerMartin (3)11,225 RLP
29 August26 Catalanscolours.svg Catalans Dragons A Stade Gilbert Brutus L18–32Dwyer, Myler, WaltersMartin (3)9,802 RLP
3 September27 Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers H Headingley W14–8Sutcliffe (3)Hardaker (4)15,418 RLP

Play-offs

DateRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
Play-off results
10 SeptemberEliminators Catalanscolours.svg Catalans Dragons A Stade Gilbert Brutus W20–10Sutcliffe(3)Hardaker (4)9,514 RLP
16 SeptemberSemi-finals Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors A DW Stadium W20–8Bentley (2), O'ConnorHardaker (4)12,777 RLP
24 SeptemberGrand Final Saintscolours.svg St Helens N Old Trafford L12–24Leeming, MartinMartin (2)60,783 RLP
Team bracket
EliminatorsSemi-finals Grand Final
2 Wigan Warriors 8
4 Catalans Dragons 10 5 Leeds Rhinos 20
5 Leeds Rhinos 20 5 Leeds Rhinos 12
1 St Helens 24
1 St Helens 19
3 Huddersfield Giants 0 6 Salford Red Devils 12
6 Salford Red Devils 28
Source:Rugby League Project

Challenge Cup

W WinL Loss

DateRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
Challenge Cup results
26 March6 Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers H Headingley L16–40Martin (2), SutcliffeMartin (2)5,112 RLP

Club vs Country

W WinL Loss

DateVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
8 OctoberFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand H Headingley L0–749,125 RLP

Players

Squad

Leeds Rhinos 2022 Squad
First team squadCoaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)

Updated: 20 April 2022
Source(s): 2022 Squad Numbers

Transfers

Gains

PlayerClubContract lengthDate
Four Provinces Flag.svg James Bentley St Helens 2 YearsJune 2021 [18]
Flag of Turkey.svg Aidan Sezer Huddersfield Giants July 2021 [19]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Blake Austin Warrington Wolves 1 YearAugust 2021 [20]
Flag of Tonga.svg David Fusitu’a New Zealand Warriors 2 YearsOctober 2021 [21]

Losses

PlayerClubContract lengthDate
Flag of England.svg Stevie Ward Retired—January 2021 [22]
Flag of England.svg Kyle Eastmond May 2021 [23]
Flag of England.svg Alex Sutcliffe Castleford Tigers 2 YearsSeptember 2021 [24]
Flag of Scotland.svg Callum McLelland October 2021 [25]
Flag of Fiji.svg King Vuniyayawa Salford Red Devils October 2021 [26]
Flag of Tonga.svg Konrad Hurrell St Helens 1 YearOctober 2021 [27]
Flag of England.svg Luke Briscoe Featherstone Rovers October 2021 [28]
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robert Lui North Queensland Cowboys November 2021 [29]
Flag of England.svg Luke Gale Hull FC November 2021 [30]
Flag of England.svg Corey Hall Wakefield Trinity November 2021
Flag of England.svg Corey Johnson Bradford Bulls 1 Year LoanDecember 2021 [31]
Flag of Nigeria.svg Muizz Mustapha
Flag of England.svg Jarrod O'Connor

References

  1. ↑ "Betfred Super League Round-Up | Round 1". RFL. 13 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  2. ↑ "Betfred Super League Round-Up | Round 2". RFL. 20 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  3. ↑ "Betfred Super League round-up". RFL. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  4. ↑ "Betfred Super League Round-Up". RFL. 6 March 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  5. ↑ "Betfred Challenge Cup Round 6 Round-Up". RFL. 27 March 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Saints make history by completing four-peat". RFL. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Betfred Super League Round 11 round-up". RFL. 1 May 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  8. ↑ "Betfred Super League Round 10 round-up". RFL. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  9. ↑ "Betfred Super League Round-Up | Round 25". RFL. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  10. ↑ "Betfred Super League Round-Up |publisher=RFL". 30 August 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  11. ↑ "Betfred Super League Round-Up | Round 27". RFL. 3 September 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  12. ↑ "Betfred Super League Round-Up | September 10". RFL. 10 September 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  13. ↑ "Leeds and St Helens to meet in Betfred Super League Grand Final". RFL. 18 September 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  14. ↑ "Leeds beat Wakefield in Boxing Day Friendly". RFL. 26 December 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  15. ↑ "Pre-Season round-up | January 23". RFL. 23 January 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  16. ↑ "Leeds Rhinos talking points: Win over Hull FC capped successful pre-season campaign". Yorkshire Evening Post. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  17. ↑ "Powerful Hunslet too strong for Rhinos". Hunslet RLFC. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  18. ↑ "Leeds Rhinos sign James Bentley from St Helens on 2 year deal". Sky Sports. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  19. ↑ "Leeds sign Aiden Sezer from Huddersfield on 2 year deal". SkySports. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  20. ↑ "Leeds sign Blake Austin from Warrington on 1 Year deal". loverugbyleague. 4 August 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  21. ↑ "David Fusitua joins Leeds on 2 Year deal". SkySports. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  22. ↑ "Stevie Ward forced to retire due to concussions". Sky Sports. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  23. ↑ "Kyle Eastmond retires from professional rugby". Sky Sports. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  24. ↑ "Castleford Tigers confirm signing of Alex Sutcliffe". Sky Sports. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  25. ↑ "Castleford re-sign Callum Mclelland". BBC Sport. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  26. ↑ "Salford sign Vuniyayawa from Leeds". BBC Sport. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  27. ↑ "St Helens sign Konrad Hurrell on 1 Year deal from Leeds". Sky Sports. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  28. ↑ "Luke Briscoe returns to Featherstone". Sky Sports. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  29. ↑ "Rob Lui makes shock rugby league comeback". seriousaboutrl. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  30. ↑ "Luke Gale joins Hull FC on 1 year deal". skysports. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  31. ↑ "Bradford Bulls announce the signing of three Leeds Rhinos players". loverugbyleague.com. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
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