AGAR: I’M TAKING RHINOS JOB ONE GAME AT A TIME

Shocked Leeds coach looking no further than Bradford clash

LEEDS interim boss Richard Agar insists he hasn’t looked beyond Saturday’s Challenge Cup tie with Bradford after being thrust back into coaching.

Former Hull FC and Wakefield supremo Agar returned from a spell in Australia to take up the role of head of player and coach development at the Rhinos.

But last month he stepped in when assistant James Lowes left the club and has now been placed in charge following Tuesday’s shock sacking of David Furner.

The most successful club of the summer era is facing a third relegation battle in four years.

But Agar maintains he has given no thought to taking the job permanently yet. He said: “Getting back into the helter-skelter of firstteam coaching wasn’t on my agenda – I was really enjoying the job I was doing.

“The speed in which this has happened – I know this sounds really cliched but I’ve just got to concentrate on, and get the players to concentrate on, this week.

“Long-term future and plans simply haven’t been discussed.

“Being the most experienced coach left in the club I feel it’s my duty to step into the role and try to stabilise it during what is generally a difficult period.

“I’m not there thinking, ‘Great, this is my chance to do the job.’

“I just want to do a really good job for however long it needs the club to work out what’s next.”

Agar’s first move after hearing of Furner’s dismissal was to drive to the Australian’s home to console him. Agar explained: “It’s been difficult because Dave’s my mate and he’s a bloke I really care about.

“It just came as an absolute shock to me.

“I immediately jumped in my car and went to Dave’s house – he only lives five minutes from me.

“I got to understand some of the reasons that had been put to Dave and what it was all about, and wanted to be there for him as a mate, really.”

Now Agar has turned his attention to the potential banana skin of the weekend trip to local rivals and Championship outfit Bradford Bulls.

He added: “It’s a good opportunity to progress in a cup competition to a quarter-final, so there’s plenty to play for, and plenty of reasons to get out there.

“We know they’ll come out fighting, we’ve got to handle that and I’m confident that we will.”