ALAS SMITH & GROANS

Leeds pull the trigger on boss amid fans unrest

- DAVE CRAVEN

ROHAN SMITH believes he was on the right path despite getting axed by Leeds last night.

Eight-times Super League champions Rhinos said they agreed by mutual consent that their head coach will step down with immediate effect.

On the back of Saturday's turgid loss at Hull - the latest of a raft of shockers and amid growing discontent from fans, the Aussie's departure seemed inevitable.

Leeds will celebrate the life of Rob Burrow when they host Leigh tomorrow night. And they could not risk that occasion being spoiled by simmering tensions over their head coach.

In truth, supporters had turned on Smith weeks ago but their voices became deafening during that shambolic defeat against a Hull side which had lost 11 straight games.