Richard Agar met with the press on Wednesday morning to preview Leeds Rhinos' Super League clash with Hull FC on Thursday night, with a number of issues and topics on the agenda.
From Harry Newman's latest injury setback to more disciplinary frustration and the threat posed by Jake Connor, here is everything Agar said as Leeds go in search of consecutive wins after last week's triumph over Wakefield Trinity.
On Harry Newman
The centre has been ruled out for another four to six weeks after suffering a recurrence of the hamstring injury picked up in pre-season. "There are further tests going on," Agar said. "It's disappointing because we couldn't have been much more careful with it. We gave him extra time to get miles in his legs but you saw the collision, he was going great until then.
"He brought loads of energy and thrust to our team. It's a major disappointment. We're looking at similar timeframes to last time, but obviously being ultra-careful, even though from a medical perspective we couldn't have been any more careful. He was out for about four to six weeks last time."
On more suspension issues
Agar will have to make more changes to his side on Thursday after Cameron Smith and Kruise Leeming both picked up suspensions for incidents in last week's game at Wakefield. The Leeds coach insisted while he understood one of the bans, the other was slightly more frustrating.
"I've no real argument with Cameron's," he said. "It was a real error of judgement and we know he's not in any way a dirty or malicious player. He just got his selection wrong in the tackle. With Kruise.. the threshold and the way they look at them is down. I thought it was a good read and close to being a good tackle but they've deemed he's gone a fraction high and they've whacked him with a Grade B."
On Jack Broadbent
Newman's injury could leave the door ajar for Jack Broadbent. The youngster had an impressive 2021 campaign but has yet to feature this season, but Agar admitted that Broadbent is getting closer to earning selection.
"We probably felt in pre-season with a couple of spots that came around, we looked on pre-season form and we felt that despite having a terrific year last year, Liam Tindall warranted the spot a fraction more on form over Jack," Agar said.
"Because dual-registration hasn't quite worked for us this year, it's been difficult to get Jack out there and get him some games. That's not ideal in terms of his development. He's played a couple of reserve games and he's shown a lot better form. He's close, he's in the conversation, as has Liam Tindall and Max Simpson, who's also pushing."
On the threat of Jake Connor
Agar admits Hull FC's main threat on Thursday will come from England international Connor, who has started the season in impressive fashion offensively. "The standout name when you look at Hull is Jake, he plays long and short, and it goes without saying he's a focal point of their attack," Agar said.
"Some of the trickery and execution on his plays has been first-class. Sometimes you know what's coming, but he deceives really well and his ability to find a man is exceptional."
Hull will be without half-backs Josh Reynolds and Luke Gale on Thursday, meaning the Black and Whites could move Connor into the halves - a prospect Agar insists Leeds have prepared for. "We've tried to work on a couple of permutations should they move him in the halves," he said. "We've covered off both options and prepared for both."
