Rugby Leeds Rhinos

The Leeds Rhinos’ recent success has established them as a household name once more with silverware aplenty arriving. The Leeds Rhinos have always been considered amongst rugby league’s leading sides but up until recently, they had failed to enjoy the status as a leading league team.

This change in fortunes has not only established them as a top rugby lead side, but it has also made Leeds Rhinos betting very popular. Follow the links to 188BET for Leeds Rhinos betting and rugby league betting on the major cups and tournaments. Or read on to find out more about the Leeds Rhinos.

Ending a 32-Year Wait

Australian coach Tony Smith was responsible for restoring the pride and glory to Leeds when he guided them to two Super League titles in three years, ending a 32-year wait.

When Smith arrived at Headingley in 2003, it was seen as a strange appointment, given that his only experience of coaching in England had come at the Huddersfield Giants.

However, Smith proved the doubters wrong when he led the Rhinos to Super League glory in his first season in 2004, when they beat Bradford Bulls in the Grand Final.

The following season Leeds became world club champions when they beat Canterbury Bulldogs in the one-off challenge between the European and Australian title winners.

League Successes

The success did not continue in 2005 or 2006, but in 2007 Leeds finished second in the League and made it to the Grand Final where they thrashed St Helens 33-6. Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield netted 12 points at Old Trafford, meaning he had scored in every game that season.

Smith left to take charge of the Great Britain team at the end of that season with his name firmly etched in the club's history books as their most successful coach.

New Zealander Brian McClennan replaced Smith and he continued the glory run in 2008 with victory in the World Club Challenge over Melbourne and another Grand Final success over St Helens, this time by a 24-16 margin.

The history of the West Yorkshire outfit is a distinguished one, having been one of the original 22 clubs to establish the League in 1895.

Leeds broke the transfer record twice, first in 1921 when Harold Buck became the game's first £1,000 transfer in signing from Hunslet and then in 1937 when they paid £1,400 for Australian Vic Hey.

However, they were seen as more of a cup side than a league contender until Smith's arrival, with 11 Challenge Cup victories and only three Championships beforehand.