Leeds Rhinos prop Mikolaj Oledzki puts down impressive marker says coach Richard Agar

Oledzki impressed in the Boxing Day win over Wakefield Trinity and turned in another strong performance during Rhinos’ 34-10 defeat of Bradford Bulls in the Jamie Jones-Buchanan testimonial/Rob Burrow fund-raiser yesterday at Emerald Headingley.

“There were some really good individual performances,” Agar said.

“Mikolaj’s opening two performances have been outstanding.

“He looks like a kid full of confidence at the moment.”

Agar also hailed centre Liam Sutcliffe, full-back Jack Walker and substitute forward James Donaldson.

Assessing Leeds’ overall effort, Agar felt his side made some unnecessary errors and conceded several “scruffy” penalties.

He said: “I was quite pleased with our defensive performance.

“I thought we looked quick in defence: line speed, retreat, the quality of our contact and work we were doing off the ball was really good.

“If we were as quick in attack as defence it might have been a better performance. We were disjointed in attack and didn’t play enough football.

“We got too one-out and too individual in attack, but that will improve as we go along.

“It’s good we get games like this and chances to assess and improve moving forward.”

Rhinos came through with no new injury worries.

Scrum-half Luke Gale did not feature and Agar said: “He’s fine.

“At the back end of the session yesterday he just felt a slight twinge in his quad.

“We felt – after the week we’d had and the work he’s done – to throw him in a bit more fatigued than he has been for some time would have been a risk.

“We wanted to make sure he has a good week going into the Wigan game on Sunday.”

Of the occasion, Agar added: “It was fantastic, the game almost became secondary.

“It was tremendous from both sides.

“The Bradford boys paid the entrance fee to play, which is another wonderful example of what this game can produce for special people.”