Former Leeds Rhinos coach Richard Agar will be part of Samoa's coaching staff for this autumn's Rugby League World Cup. Agar, who left the Rhinos in March following a difficult start to the new Super League season, has secured a role on Matt Parish's staff alongside Penrith coach Andrew Webster and former Hull FC forward Frank Pritchard.
With Samoa having group games against England, France and Greece in the group stages of the tournament, Agar will be able to offer a crucial insight into northern hemisphere opposition as the Pacific Island looks to make its mark on the World Cup once again.
Agar had said he was unsure what the future held after leaving the Rhinos, but he will now play a prominent role on the support staff of a nation that will have high hopes of a good run in the World Cup when it is staged later this year.
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“One of the critical parts of preparing teams, particularly representative teams, is providing the best environment for them to be successful," Parish said. "Toa Samoa has an incredibly strong and talented playing squad.
"The high-performance environment and culture we create for the players will, at a minimum, replicate what the players are used to at club level, and we will work with the NRL, the clubs and RLWC2021 to ensure our players have all they need to prepare themselves."
Former Manly Sea Eagles and Bradford Bulls coach Geoff Toovey is also on Parish's staff, giving the Toa Samoa head coach plenty of experience to call upon later this year.
