SMITH OUT TO SHAKE IT OFF

Coach Rohan backs new sporting director role

- ROSS HEPPENSTALL

ROHAN SMITH insists he does not feel threatened by the shake-up at Leeds ahead of today's must-win derby.

A section of Rhinos supporters have called for Smith's head following the club's disappointing start to the season.

It was announced this week that long-serving chief executive Gary Hetherington is relinquishing control of the rugby department.

A new sporting director will be appointed at Headingley, but head coach Smith said: "I fully support that role.

"It's one that's been spoken about on and off for a period of time.

"The club went that way in the past and it's something plenty of other Super League clubs are doing and NRL clubs I've worked at have had a very similar role to that.