Match-winner Brad Dwyer typifies Leeds Rhinos’ battling spirit says proud coach Richard Agar
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.
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.
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Hide AdAgar 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.
“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?
“He brings tons of energy to us.”
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Hide AdMid-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.”
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Hide AdOn-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.”
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