Leeds boss Rohan Smith gives take Harry Newman and Tom Holroyd tunnel spat

10 May 2023 , 13:24

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Leeds Rhinos coach Rohan Smith (John Clifton/SWPIX) (Image: John Clifton/SWpix.com)

Leeds boss Rohan Smith doesn’t “condone” the actions of Rhinos players Harry Newman and Tom Holroyd who squared up to each other in the Headingley tunnel after Friday’s defeat against Salford.

The duo - both part of Shaun Wane’s England squad - reportedly had to be split apart as tempers frayed. Smith acknowledged an incident had taken place but insisted things had been settled ahead of Friday’s trip to Wigan with both players included in the 21-man squad as usual. In the club’s weekly press conference, he said: “These things happen from time to time.

“It’s not something that we condone or want to happen. But players get frustrated and they get disappointed and they’re both very passionate guys that want to do well and want the team to do well. They had a bit of a disagreement and that was left there and then and everyone’s moved on.

“Those guys have known each other and been mates for a long period of time. It was just one of those things that can happen in sport at times. Certainly there's a better way of doing it. But there’s no shortage of passion and desire among the group and sometimes you just have to temper it a little bit.”

Leeds had lost 22-12, a second successive defeat having also fallen at promoted Leigh.

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