We're being very, very careful - Leeds Rhinos on red alert in battle against coronavirus

Rhinos’ game against Wigan Warriors - on neutral ground at St Helens - has been put back 24 hours to tomorrow evening, following a coronavirus outbreak at Hull FC.

Hull’s game against Castleford Tigers and their opponents last week Salford Red Devils’ meeting with Catalans Dragons have been postponed.

A fixture reshuffle will see Wakefield Trinity take on Catalans today and Tigers face Saints tomorrow.

Six Hull players and two staff tested positive following last Sunday’s match at Emerald Headingley, the first confirmed cases of Covid-19 at a Betfred Super League club.

The outbreak has sent shockwaves through the game, but Agar insists Rhinos are confident they can stay virus-free.

“I don’t know what has happened [at Hull],” Agar said.

“But I understand how we work here and I know our staff are absolutely religious about how we operate within the Covid environment.

“They are very, very careful and if anybody remotely contravenes any of the rules and protocols in place, they are all over us.

“We are taking steps as a coaching staff in terms of how we administer meetings and even talk to the guys on the field and what happens post-training. We are very, very careful.”

Agar said the club have considered whether it would be possible for the players to have a team meal or recovery together, but “we ruled it out”.

He added: “I know how careful we are.

“I have heard some theories [about what happened at Hull], but I am not sure we would ever know how something like this could get into your joint.

“We just urge the utmost caution and if there’s any more rules and regulations put around it, we will adhere to them.

“It is important we keep the competition running and we are as careful as we possibly can be.”

Super League clubs are not being isolated from the outside world, unlike in Australia where NRL players are not allowed to eat or drink out.

“I have been to restaurants or to the pub for a beer, still mindful of sticking to everything that is going to help you avoid such situations,” Agar said.

“It is a difficult one for the game and hopefully one that has been contained how it needs to be.”

Some in the game, including Catalans’ Sam Tomkins, have called for more testing and tighter restrictions on what players can do away from work.

“That’s a difficult one,” Agar said.

“Under the current restrictions we have been going all right, we have been Covid tested for five or six weeks and not had any issues.

“I can only speak for our club, but we have bought into it.

“But if that is what it takes to keep us on the field and any more instances do come about, maybe it is something they do need to consider.”

Leeds were only slightly affected by the rejig of fixtures, which has given them an extra day to prepare for their Wigan clash.

Agar said: “We understand that to keep us on the field, given situations like this, we may all have to be adaptable.

“If we are told on a Monday we are playing Wigan and on a Wednesday we’re playing someone else, we have got to get on with it, to keep us on the field.

“The situation we are in, it is just important we keep playing.

“It is going to be a different style of comp’ this year, you are going to have to use your squad in a different way and you are going to come up against challenges that wouldn’t normally be here.

“We just look at it like that. The Rugby League have handled it the way they have to because we have broadcast partners and it creates issues with the fixture list further down.

“I am not sure they could handle it in a way that everybody would be totally satisfied with the outcome.

“I really feel for Salford, who have had half their camp stood down and aren’t going to play for a couple of weeks through absolutely no fault of their own.”

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins