2023

The new year saw pre-season preparations continue at the Rhinos with friendlies against Leigh Leopards and Bradford Bulls. Despite losing out to the Leopards with a late Zak Hardaker try, a young Rhinos outfit got the job done in the Keith Howard Foundation Trophy against Bradford with a 24-10 result at Headingley.

Further away friendlies against Hull KR and Hunslet in the annual Harry Jepson OBE Trophy set the Rhinos up to kick off their Super League campaign, but it was a tough start for Rohan Smith?s side. Sam Lisone, Derrell Olpherts, Luis Roberts and Nene Macdonald all made their debuts in back-to-back losses to Warrington Wolves and Hull FC as Smith?s side endured a tough start.

March started better as Blake Austin kicked the Rhinos to victory in round three in a Grand Final rematch against the recently crowned World Club Champions St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Despite heavy snow a week later, Leeds were able to take to the Headingley field against Wakefield Trinity and tries from Harry Newman on his return from long term injury, Tom Holroyd, Nene Macdonald and a brace by David Fusitu?a helped them to victory over that season?s strugglers. Defeat to Castleford on a wet night at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle saw a momentary pause in form, as normal service resumed a week later thanks to a second-half comeback win over Catalans Dragons in front of the Channel 4 cameras.

To end the month of March, James McDonnell and Luis Roberts opened their try-scoring accounts for the Rhinos on the road against Hull KR but it was the Robins that took the win in the swirling wind and rain.

As a busy spring continued, the Rhinos moved up to seventh in the table with back to back home wins. A one-point win against Huddersfield Giants in Rivals Round saw Ian Watson's side rue a late missed conversion, before Ash Handley led the charge in a 34-10 home result over Hull FC five days later. Before the international break, James Bentley was the club?s sole try scorer as the newly promoted Leigh Leopards kept up their lively start with a 20-6 win over the Rhinos.

On the Betfred Women?s Super League front, Lois Forsell?s Rhinos side came up against York Valkyrie in a repeat of the previous year?s Grand Final, but it was the away side that left Headingley with a 34-12 result this time around. Leeds put it right a week later as they ran 15 tries passed Huddersfield in an 80-0 triumph.

Salford proved a tough challenge for the Rhinos at the start of May as Smith?s side conceded a 22-12 loss on home turf, but they quickly bounced back to post 40 points on high-flying Wigan Warriors who had won six of their last seven. Even though the sin-binning of Zane Tetevano put the Rhinos down to 12 players for the majority of the game, a seven-try haul turned the away side?s fortunes around; Harry Newman notably finishing two interception tries.

A week later, the Warriors got their revenge in the sixth round of the Challenge Cup as an 18-14 scoreline knocked Leeds out at Headingley, whilst in Super League, St Helens got their revenge by inflicting a one-point defeat on the Rhinos.  

The annual Magic Weekend, hosted at Newcastle?s St James? Park, saw the Rhinos clash with Castleford in the final game of Saturday but they let a 24-14 lead slip to lose out 26-24. A week later on the road against Wakefield, a try on debut for Leon Ruan was a consolation in a 24-14 loss.

The end of the month was a stark contrast though as Smith?s side got back to winning ways. The club?s annual MND Awareness Round against Huddersfield provided one of the moments of the year as the Burrow family took over gameday at Headingley. The Rhinos? performance matched the occasion too as nine tries in front of club legend Rob Burrow saw Sam Walters, Rhyse Martin, James McDonnell, David Fusitu?a, Richie Myler and Ash Handley cross the try line.

Revenge was also taken on Warrington in round 17 as a 22-6 win saw Handley, who celebrated signing a new three-year deal with the club, cross twice along with Walters and Myler. Handley?s re-signing was one of a number of moves made in the recruitment department during June, with Sam Lisone and youngsters Jack Sinfield and Max Simpson extending their stays at Headingley. Looking ahead to 2024, the club also unveiled Mickael Goudemand?s capture from Catalans Dragons.

Only one fixture for Leeds Rhinos Women during the month pitted them against Leigh Leopards in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, and a resounding 54-0 win secured their places in the final four. Among the 11 tries, recently promoted academy talent Ruby Enright crossed twice on her club debut.

Three games in July started with a third consecutive win as a trip away to Salford saw the boot of Rhyse Martin prove crucial as he slotted four goals (including three penalties) in the 16-14 win. Back on home turf, a second golden point extra time finish went the way of the visiting Robins; Brad Schneider kicked Hull KR to a 19-18 win. The Rhinos also left the Totally Wicked Stadium empty-handed as well as they suffered a 22-18 loss.

Having endured a tough start to the season, July was a big month for Leeds Rhinos Women who went through the whole month unbeaten. Warrington and Wigan were both kept scoreless as Lois Forsell?s side ran in 88 and 52 points, before a late comeback from the Valkyrie prevented Leeds from taking all two points away from York. To close out the month, the Rhinos also secured their place in the Challenge Cup Final as second-half tries from Caitlin Beevers and Tara Moxon helped them defeat Wigan at Headingley in the semi finals. Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair followed suit as they returned to the Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final with an unbeaten run through the Challenge Cup Festival.

Although August started with a defeat to Leigh Leopards at Headingley, Leeds ended a three-game losing streak with an important 24-22 win over Warrington, thanks to tries from Sam Walters, Luke Hooley, David Fusitu?a and James Bentley. Defeat to Huddersfield to round off the month all but ended the Rhinos? chances of making the Play Offs though.

On the flip side, August proved a historic month for the Rhinos Women?s side as they joined St Helens as the first Women?s Rugby League teams to play at Wembley Stadium in the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Final. Despite Sophie Robinson's first half try and Caitlin Beevers' try of the season score, St Helens kept hold of the Cup with a 22-8 scoreline.

In the league, having rested several players in a 20-16 loss to Huddersfield, the Rhinos Women bounced back after defeat in the Cup Final to post 58 points on Warrington, thanks to four tries from captain Hanna Butcher and three from Amy Hardcastle.

As the season began to wind down for the men?s team, an inspired solo performance from Sam Lisone saw the prop score his first career hat trick to defeat Hull FC 28-12 at the MKM Stadium, along with further tries from David Fusitu?a and Luke Hooley. Back-to-back defeats to eventual Grand Finalists Wigan and Catalans hurt in rounds 25 and 26, but a resounding 46-0 win over Castleford at home on the final day of the regular season put a positive note on the end of the year.

The Women?s competition was intensifying as the Rhinos sealed third place in the league table with an away win over St Helens and a 24-0 result over Wigan. Taking on Saints on the road in the semi finals, history was made when nothing split the teams after 80 minutes as the score finished 16-16. Forced into golden point extra time, youngster Caitlin Casey set up Sophie Robinson for the crucial finish, sending the Rhinos to their fifth successive Grand Final. Playing in their fifth successive Grand Final, the Rhinos couldn?t win back-to-back finals for the first time as York Valkyrie claimed a 16-6 result; Caitlin Casey recorded the Rhinos? sole try.

The Wheelchair Final went down to the wire too, but it was Wigan Warriors who pulled off a 50-42 win against the Rhinos. Despite the final scores, Rhinos star Josh Butler joined Casey as one of the Young Player of the Season winners at the Super League awards, whilst Keara Bennett received a nomination for Woman of Steel.

Off the field, a recruitment drive for 2024 saw Paul Momirovski confirm his move from Sydney Roosters as the club?s second NRL signing behind Newcastle Knights? Lachie Miller. The club saved the best until last though as Salford pair Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers were unveiled in a major move for next season.

A record-breaking naming rights partnership was also struck with Leeds-based vehicle solutions business AMT Auto which saw the Rhinos? home rebranded as AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, plus the club was also one of seven clubs to receive Grade A status as part of Rugby League Commercial and IMG?s ?Reimagining Rugby League? strategy.