Match-winner Brad Dwyer typifies Leeds Rhinos’ battling spirit says proud coach Richard Agar

MATCH-WINNER BRAD Dwyer typifies the battling spirit which has dragged Leeds Rhinos through their toughest spell of the Super League era, his coach Richard Agar says.

Dwyer and prop Mikolaj Oledzki both played in all five games during a 16-day period which began with the Coral Challenge Cup final win over Salford Red Devils and ended when Leeds beat Wakefield Trinity 20-18 yesterday.

Leeds Rhinos' Brad Dwyer scores the decisive try against Wakefield Trinity. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.

placeholder image — Leeds Rhinos' Brad Dwyer scores the decisive try against Wakefield Trinity. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.

Dwyer has been Leeds’ ‘super sub’ this year, but started the game and - after a spell on the bench - scored the decisive try 12 minutes from time when he dummied over from acting-half.

Agar was “proud” of his weary team’s effort - three days after a 30-6 loss to the same opposition - and saluted the huge contribution from a player who tested positive for coronavirus in September.

Proud Leeds Rhinos coach, Richard Agar. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images.

“He has had Covid and his recovery from games is very, very difficult,” Agar said of Dwyer.

“He has barely missed a game and his performance at St Helens the other night, with a very youthful and inexperienced team, was massive.

“At training [on Saturday] he could hardly move, he could barely lean over and tie his bootlaces, he was so sore and struggling to recover.

“We gave him the option, do you want to play or not?

Leeds Rhinos youngster James Harrison earned praise from head coach Richard Agar after his contribution to Sunday's win over Wakefield. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

“He brings tons of energy to us.”

Mid-season recruit Bodene Thompson was the other player to feature in four games over a 10-day period.

“He couldn’t play in the Cup games, but he has barely missed a game,” Agar noted.

“We have only taken him off when the game has been dead and buried and we’ve tried to save him a little bit.

“He is such a warrior, he has been a real inspiration to our young guys during this period.”

On-loan Featherstone Rovers forward James Harrison was another player Agar felt stood out in Leeds’ battling effort at Mobile Rocket Stadium, Belle Vue.

He said; “I am going to give him a rap, I thought he did an absolutely magnificent job for us, game-time wise. I am so proud of the way these guys have dug in, given what they’ve been through.”