Leeds Rhinos: What's on coach Richard Agar's agenda this week

Proper preparation is out of the window at the moment as Leeds Rhinos gear up for their third game in nine days, against Castleford Tigers on Friday.
By Peter Smith
Published 3rd Aug 2021, 11:49 BST
Updated 3rd Aug 2021, 15:56 BST
The loss to Warrington left Brad Dwyer and his Rhinos teammates dejected, but they need to recover quickly. Picture by Allan McKenzie.The loss to Warrington left Brad Dwyer and his Rhinos teammates dejected, but they need to recover quickly. Picture by Allan McKenzie.
The loss to Warrington left Brad Dwyer and his Rhinos teammates dejected, but they need to recover quickly. Picture by Allan McKenzie.

Rhinos have had fixed fortunes so far, winning at Hull last Thursday before a home loss to Warrington Wolves three days later.

Here’s what could be on coach Richard Agar’s agenda ahead of Rhinos third meeting of the season with their fiercest rivals.

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1: Game management. Warrington were the second team this season to beat Leeds with a very late drop goal, after Rhinos led going into the final five minutes. Huddersfield Giants did the same three months ago and clearly Rhinos need to learn how to close out a tight game. Not going for a one-pointer when they were six ahead late on was a costly mistake.

Rhyse Martin is in astonishing form with the boot. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.Rhyse Martin is in astonishing form with the boot. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Rhyse Martin is in astonishing form with the boot. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

2: Focusing on what Rhinos can control. Josh Charnley’s try should not have been awarded. The Warrington man didn’t get the ball down, but teams can’t do anything about situations like that and it wasn’t why Leeds lost. Rhinos made too many errors and conceded costly penalties, which has been a theme this season. That’s something they must sort out to have any hope of a top-six finish.

3: Luke Gale. The match review panel have issued a two-game penalty notice for physical contact with the referee in the Warrington game. Contact was made, but the punishment seems harsh. In total, nine players have been banned this week and Agar and fellow team bosses must wonder why the RFL aren’t showing some leniency at a time when clubs are scraping sides together to keep the game going amid injuries, Covid and a ridiculous fixture list.

4: Tigers’ poor form. They’ve won twice in their last 10 games, but Agar will expect a different Castleford side this week. Despite a shorter turnaround, Tigers will be more rested, have key players back and be hugely motivated following their 60-6 drubbing in May. Rhinos will need to play well to win.

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5: Going up in sixes. Rhyse Martin hasn’t missed since landing six of nine kicks against Leigh on July 1 - 25 goals from as many attempts. When he didn’t play in the defeat at Catalans, Gale booted three from three.

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Related topics:Castleford TigersRichard AgarRhinosLuke Gale

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