We’ll need to be phenomenal to beat Wigan Warriors says Leeds Rhinos coach Richard Agar

The Leeds boss is a Coral Challenge Cup semi-final veteran, having won three and lost one on the coaching staff of various clubs.

Opponents Wigan Warriors are hot favourites to book a place in the final, two weeks tomorrow, but Rhinos’ recent form is good and Agar reckons they can upset the odds – if they play well.

“You have just got to do the basics of the game to an extraordinarily high standard and level for a long period of time,” Agar said of what it takes to win a semi-final.

“If you do that you are guaranteed at some point in the game to get some opportunities.

“When you get those opportunities you have got to execute them – and on the other side of it, you have got to stop them too.”

Agar insisted Rhinos’ coaching staff have not been “trying to come up with fancy trick plays and confusing the boys with different game plans”.

He said: “I think it is about going out there, doing what we do and doing it to a phenomenal level for as long as we can.”

Wigan won 28-10 in the sides’ only previous meeting this year, at tomorrow’s St Helens venue in August when Leeds were missing some key players and in a form slump after the coronavirus lockdown.

They have improved since then, with four successive wins before an inexperienced side lost to Catalans Dragons two days ago.

Agar feels his team are in a good place, but stressed: “We certainly recognise the threats the opposition bring.”

He said: “We need to do a job right across the board, but certainly on four or five prominent players who have a big impact on the outcome of their games.

“They are a really good team with some of the best players in the comp’ in their side.

“Sean O’Loughlin brings another dimension to them, particularly when they are playing out of their own half.

“The more structured ball movement plays come about through Sean, they have Jackson Hastings and Thomas Leuluai and probably the most exciting individual in the comp’ in Bevan French.

“He is one of those guys as a supporter you would pay to go into the stadium and watch some of the stuff he does.

“Liam Farrell is a tremendous player for them and I think they have a couple of real unsung heroes in Sam Powell and Willie Isa.

“We have prepared for them, we are very aware of their threats and very aware we are going to have to get our best performance out on the day to get this one against a strong and consistent team.”

Tomorrow’s behind closed doors tie is Rhinos’ 18th Cup semi-final of the summer era, which began in 1996 and their third since they last reached Wembley five years ago.

Only Tom Briscoe, Adam Cuthbertson and the currently injured Stevie Ward remain at the club from that win over Hull KR and Agar, pictured above, said it is important his side make the most of the occasion.

He said: “How many times does it come around for you?

“I have been fortunate as a coach to have experienced several of them, but Luke Gale hasn’t been in one yet, after such a long and illustrious career.

“You can’t guarantee when you are going to get another opportunity, but it is important that emotion doesn’t spill into a loss of focus.

“It is very much about keeping your focus and getting the right balance between the intensity a game like this will bring, while at the same time making sure you do your job.”

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