Leeds Rhinos youngster Jack Broadbent 'going great' in pre-season says boss Richard Agar

The 20-year-old played in the Betfred Championship for Featherstone Rovers and Batley Bulldogs in 2019 and got an opportunity at Super League level last year, against Catalans Dragons, Warrington Wolves and St Helens.

He has already caught the eye of new assistant-coach Sean Long and Agar reckons the youngster has been “going great,” over the opening month of pre-season.

“It is interesting getting a new coach’s view point on it,” Agar said.

“Longy worked at Saints who have got a terrific team and set up and produce good juniors.

“Sean has come in and his opinion of Jack is who’s this kid’?

“Unfortunately for him, Jack had to play a number of games out of position at stand-off last year, but undoubtedly when he played in the centre at Warrington that was his best performance.”

Agar described Broadbent as a “super young professional” and added: “He has got such a level head.

“We needed Jack to be physically a bit better this year.

“He has come in and he blew the yo-yo test [which measures endurance fitness] away.

“His body shape is changing in a positive way and he is certainly looking a lot stronger in the legs and the hips than he has done before.

“In terms of knowing his role, his professionalism and attitude, he has been first class since I have been at the club.

“If and when the opportunity comes and the time comes to use him, I’ll have absolutely no hesitation in using him.”

Centre is becoming one of Rhinos’ most competitive positions.

Konrad Hurrell and Liam Sutcliffe finished last season there, but Harry Newman is making good progress in his return from a broken leg and Agar said: “We are really well stocked for centres.

“If our first-choice guys are Harry, Konrad and Liam at the moment, we’ve certainly got a couple of guys in Broadbent and Alex Sutcliffe we have every confidence in and there’s a young kid creeping up behind them in Corey Hall.

“Throw in Liam Tindall and our stocks in terms of three-quarters from within our organisation are very good - and we think Levi Edwards is a guy who can cover all edge positions too.”

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