Prior noticed - Leeds Rhinos boss hails Australian's 'ridiculous efforts'

Coach Richard Agar reckons the forward, who joined Rhinos from Cronulla Sharks in pre-season, has been a major factor in this year’s improved performances, despite not receiving the accolades some of his teammates have.

Prior was twice a Grand Final winner in Australia, with St George-Illawarra Dragons and Cronulla and Agar said his experience has been vital in a young Leeds side.

With Rhinos losing Adam Cuthbertson to a shoulder injury early in the second half, the 32-year-old played 65 minutes of Leeds’ Coral Challenge Cup win over Salford Red Devils and Agar noted: “Some of Matty Prior’s efforts were ridiculous really.”

He said: “There was a time when they got a seven-tackle set and he has come up with a double or a treble [tackles] in the set and a couple later he has carried two out of three balls for us.

“He is just a warrior and what he has done for us is unheralded and unsung, but enormous for us.”

Prior has started at prop and loose-forward for Leeds and missed only three of their 17 competitive fixtures this year, two when Agar fielded an inexperienced side before the Challenge Cup semi-final and final and once after being stood down because of a coronavirus scare.

“I could not speak highly enough of him,” Agar added.

“He is so unassuming, he is a quiet guy, but he is someone you know you can rely on to turn up, knowing what they are going to give you every week.”

Prior, who played 253 times in the NRL from 2008 until last year and represented New South Wales, is widely recognised for his defence and work rate, but Agar feels he also brings something different to Rhinos’ attack.

He said: “Some of his plays are a bit unorthodox, technically, but it works for him.

“He has given us so much in terms of consistency, he is an outstanding physical specimen too and a good guy.

“He has won two NRL titles, played State of Origin and now won a Challenge Cup.

“That’s no coincidence and I think all our guys can see why he has had such a successful career, built on hard work.”

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Laura Collins