Jamie Jones-Buchanan admits today’s 16-14 defeat at Castleford Tigers is likely prove to be his last game in interim charge of Leeds Rhinos. The legendary former second-rower has spent the past four games in charge of the Headingley giants after Richard Agar stepped down as head coach last month.
With Leeds supremo Gary Hetherington having returned from Australia in his search for Agar’s successor, and having since interviewed numerous candidates back in the UK, an appointment is thought to be imminent. Ahead of a crunch home game with Toulouse Olympique on Friday, Jones-Buchanan was asked if he expected to still be in charge then.
“Reading between the lines, no,” said the 40-year-old. “That might be somebody else’s decision anyway, but listening to some of the questions I’ve been asked and with Gary meeting me tomorrow, I’ll have a chat with him and see what that looks like. I’ve no idea, but until then I’ll go home and review the game and plan as if we’ve got a game to prepare for on Friday.
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“Then, as and when somebody comes in and does the job, I’ll do my best to support them.”
Jones-Buchanan spoke of his pride after 17-year-old academy players Jack Sinfield and Max Simpson made their Super League debuts. Sinfield played 80 minutes at stand-off in front of his watching family in the stands and Simpson also showed some neat touches at right centre.
Jones-Buchanan said of Sinfield junior: “The question all week has been ‘is he ready?’ and is there too big an expectation because of his last name? You don't put that sort of pressure on him. We understand his pedigree and he's an unbelievable professional. Some of our older players can learn something from Jack. He's very much in his dad's image but at the same time he's his own man.
“Whilst he's not somebody you want to be playing every week because of his age, he's definitely ready to dip his toes into the deep end. I thought he was exceptional for 80 minutes. He played a big part in that first half try and came up with some real nice moments. His game will get perfected in seasons to come and, God willing, like his dad, he will lift lots of trophies.”
Leeds could have been further behind during the first half which James Clare and Derrell Olpherts scored for the Tigers. Rhyse Martin replied for the Rhinos just before the interval from a kick by Sinfield, whose influence grew as the match wore on. With the scores tied at 8-8 in the second half, James Bentley was sinbinned for a high shot on Joe Westerman.
Gareth O’Brien kicked the penalty before Martin’s second try set up a tense finale which saw Castleford hold on for victory. Jones-Buchanan was scathing about Bentley’s latest show of ill discipline, saying: “He's apologising to players but it’s not good enough.
“He's an enigma is James Bentley in that he's one of the bet players in terms of that fight and doggedness, the players love him but it's a fine line and, when it tips over it's disastrous. It happens too many times, Zane (Tetevano) is suspended next week so it hurts us. These are the things we've got to change. We’ve got to this out of the players if we are to move forward."
Jones-Buchanan was upbeat about his side’s display saying: “There's a seed bed and a foundation I believe has been built there. A lot of young blokes doing it really tough but playing exceptionally well, people like Morgan Gannon, Jarrod O'Connor, Jack Sinfield and Max Simpson stood up and were counted for long periods.
“They are really young inexperienced players, but I get my joy right now for what that might look like in six or 12 months when those boys got a few more miles on the clock. It's a far cry from being fully complete but it's a million miles from where it was four or five weeks ago.
“When think about players to come back in, some world-class players will add to that, it is positive. You genuinely concerned about the young blokes, because whilst they’ve got it between the ears, you worry physically and certainly not type of players expect every week, but for 70 or 80 minutes there I thought they were brilliant. They are not going to be at their best for a couple of years but it's good to have them around and show the others what it's all about.”
