'Smart genius' Sean Long making instant impact at Leeds Rhinos

New assistant-coach - and Super League legend - Sean Long is already “stamping his mark” on Leeds Rhinos.
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Team boss Richard Agar reckons Long has been a “brilliant” addition to the staff in Rhinos’ first week of pre-season and hailed him as one of the smartest rugby league brains anywhere in the spot.

Long, 44, had a glittering playing career as a half-back for Wigan Warriors, Widnes Vikings, St Helens, where he won every available honour, Hull and Great Britain before turning to coaching.

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After spells with Salford Red Devils and Saints, as well as a brief stint at Featherstone Rovers, he switched codes to join Harlequins Rugby Union Club, but returned to league with Leeds at the end of last season.

Coach Richard Agar, left and assistant Sean Long supervise Rhinos training. Picture by Phil Daly.Coach Richard Agar, left and assistant Sean Long supervise Rhinos training. Picture by Phil Daly.
Coach Richard Agar, left and assistant Sean Long supervise Rhinos training. Picture by Phil Daly.

Long stepped in ahead of Leeds’ play-offs defeat by Catalans Dragons in November after Agar was forced to go into isolation under the test and trace protocol and was at the heart of things last week as Rhinos began preparations for the new Betfred Super League campaign.

“He’s already stamping his mark here,” Agar said. “His passion for rugby league is incredible - he absolutely lives and breathes it.

“He’s choc-a-block full of ideas for training methods and drills he wants to throw in.

“He’s been brilliant.”

Jamie Jones-Buchanan pictured during a snowy training session last week. Picture by Phil Daly.Jamie Jones-Buchanan pictured during a snowy training session last week. Picture by Phil Daly.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan pictured during a snowy training session last week. Picture by Phil Daly.
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Long has not come into the job cold, having worked with Rhinos’ squad in pre-season last year, as well as in the build-up to the final game of 2020.

“The boys have loved his presence and energy,” Agar added.

“When the players came back in we gave them a presentation around some of the things we did well last year and some areas we can improve.

“There was some statistical information in there and some real gaps that if we want to get up there and challenge this year then we need to be much better at.

“Some of that was a nod to our coaching staff and Sean’s knowledge and detail is right up there with anybody’s in the game.

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“When you’re talking about the absolute smart geniuses of rugby league knowledge, Sean is right up there.

“I’m saying that having worked at the top levels of the game for a long time; he’s as smart a rugby league individual as you will ever come across.

Agar’s other assistant is Jamie Jones-Buchanan, who spent 20 years in Rhinos’ first team squad before hanging up his boots at the end of 2019.

The coach said Long and Jones-Buchanan are contrasting characters whose styles complement each other.

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“Jamie’s an unbelievable communicator, a great orator and a guy who will always challenge the consensus,” Agar enthused of the former Great Britain and England back-rower.

“He thinks out of the box and is a coach who if you throw him a challenge, will think laterally and come back with lots of different ideas.

“I love the fact that we’ve got different people on our staff that can all challenge each other.”

Jones-Buchanan will be better for the experience of a year’s coaching under his belt, Agar believes.

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He predicted: “Jamie, a year in on the back of last year, will continue to grow as a coach.

“Both guys are wonderful characters to be around, day in and day out.”

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