Rohan Smith decision becomes Ian Blease's top priority on first day at Leeds Rhinos

Ian Blease officially starts work at Leeds Rhinos today and arrives with a big decision to make. The future of coach Rohan Smith is more uncertain than ever following their dismal defeat to Hull FC at the weekend and the club's new Sporting Director will now have to oversee one of the biggest decisions any person in his role is tasked with making.

Externally, it is difficult to see a way back for the Australian, who has lost the support of the fanbase after his side's underwhelming start to the season. Many Rhinos followers had already decided it was time for change but their grim display at the MKM Stadium has damaged any hope of regaining support.

Ultimately, it is the views of Blease and Leeds' executive board that count and it is inevitable that Smith's future will be a topic of conversation at Headingley today. During his first press conference since joining the club, Blease stressed that he would not rush into decisions. But at the same time, there does appear to be an understanding that Leeds' performances this season haven't been good enough, and with the team currently outside of the play-offs heading into the second half of the season, something needs to change.

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It would be foolish to think that his work hadn't already started before today. He confirmed that he would fly out to Spain for a few days to process the challenge ahead, but it's fair to assume plenty of due diligence and conversations with relevant people will have already been had.

If his time at Salford is anything to go by, any decision made by Blease will be executed professionally and respectfully, such is the nature of the way he handled business. Decisions like these are naturally sensitive, and dealing with Smith's welfare, whatever the outcome, will be of high importance.

Adding to the delicateness of the matter is the fact that the club are preparing its biggest tribute to Rob Burrow on Friday, when the Rhinos host Leigh Leopads on MND Global Awareness Day and headlines should be about exactly that and nothing else.

To say Blease has been thrown in at the deep end would be quite the understatement; the future of Rhyse Martin is another matter in his in-tray that needs addressing quickly to give Leeds hope of retaining him next year. But such is the nature of the job, some big decisions will need to be made quickly.