Challenge Cup Final Preview #1 - Following Family Footsteps

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Throughout his coaching career, Richard Agar has never been held in highest regard by the fans of the clubs he has led. Leeds Rhinos fans hardly rejoiced when the news that Agar would be placed in permanent charge broke (take a look). I hardly have the greatest track record when it comes to predictions so I am not going to use hindsight to mock failed predictions. However, I thought this was a good summary:

However, Leeds' recent coaching appointments have broadly all ticked the same boxes; someone who arguably deserves a chance, but without a proven top class record. And it has worked. 

Take Tony Smith. He was relegated, then promoted, then finished 10th in Super League with Huddersfield. Smith did well to keep Huddersfield in Super League, but the decision to bring him in as Leeds head coach in 2004 in place of Daryl Powell was a shock. The decision was justified, Smith winning two Super League titles in the next four seasons.

The same applies for Brian McDermott. He did a steady job at Harlequins, but was not considered amongst the coaching elite. Despite being dogged by criticism by his own fans, when he left Leeds, he left as the most successful coach in Super League history.

Even Brian McClennan. Yes, he had success with New Zealand, but his head coach role with Leeds Rhinos was the first time he had coached a top flight club.

The only post-2004 Leeds coach I have not mentioned is David Furner. This was a slight departure from the norm. He was an established NRL head coach and assistant coach, who had seemingly been linked with every top Super League head coach vacancy for several years. He lasted just 15 games.

When looking at Smith, McClennan and McDermott, it would be disingenuous not to mention that they had the benefit of one of the greatest Leeds Rhinos teams in history, if not the greatest.

By the time Richard Agar arrived, the golden generation had retired and he was tasked with the rebuild. Agar came into a club with a redeveloped stadium, but not a redeveloped squad. Leeds had endured relegation battles in 2016, 2018 and 2019 and challenging for honours seemed a long way away.

This seemed even further away when Agar suffered defeat to lower-league Bradford in the Challenge Cup in his first game in charge. For the rest of the 2019 season, Leeds showed signs of life as they achieved an 8th place finish, albeit just two wins above a relegation place.

In the 2019 off season, Agar made some shrewd signings. Luke Gale came in to lead a team so often bereft of direction. Exciting talent (although not superstars) such as Alex Mellor and Kruise Leeming were tempted from Huddersfield. Meanwhile the front row was bolsted by Matt Prior to supplement mid-season recruit Ava Seumanufagai.

Gale aside, this recruitment didn't make headlines, or probably even break the bank, yet it was shrewd. The 2020 incarnation of Leeds Rhinos has a direction, a purpose and a mental toughness which has been lacking since 2016.

If you would have offered Leeds fans in summer 2019; a Challenge Cup Final and a chance at a play off spot for 2020, I have little doubt they would have been delighted. Some may have even scoffed at the suggestion. Yet this turnaround has not received the credit it deserves because of the expectation, harnessed over the last 15 years, that Leeds will challenge. 

Or maybe that last sentence should read that the man in charge has not received the credit he deserves. Richard Agar has again sneaked under the radar. He was hounded at Hull FC and Wakefield, who have fared little or no better since his departure. 

On Saturday, Agar will lead his team out at Wembley. Just like he led Hull FC out in 2008. You are not a bad coach if you lead two different sides to Cup finals. 

Richard will follow in the footsteps of his father, Allan, who led Featherstone out in the 1983 Challenge Cup Final and ultimately, to a shock triumph.

Perhaps if Richard Agar picks up the first silverware of his coaching career on Saturday, maybe, just maybe, he will start to get treated with the respect he has earned.

Whilst your here...do check out our other preview blog:

Challenge Cup Final Preview #2: I dreamed a dream by the old canal 

We will publish two more blogs on Wednesday and Thursday in our Challenge Cup Final preview series, so do check back here for more!

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