Leeds Rhinos head coach Richard Agar reckons the acquisition of Richard Hunwicks could prove as important as any of the club’s four new signings.
Hunwicks, who served as Headingley between 2007 and 2013, recently rejoined the club as the Rhinos’ new performance director and is leading all areas of performance at first-team level alongside Agar.
Hunwicks spent the last four seasons with Catalans Dragons, overseeing a period of success that saw them win two of the three major trophies on offer, as well as reaching this year’s Grand Final.
Following the acquisition of Aidan Sezer, Blake Austin, James Bentley and David Fusitu’a, the arrival of Hunwicks will be another major boost, according to Agar.
“People are talking about our four signings, but with Rich Hunwicks coming in as performance director, I’m looking at five signings,” Agar told Rugby League Live.
“The impact he’s already had on our squad, three or four weeks in, is a pretty emphatic one.
“Rich isn’t going to someone who is out there looking for any kind of headlines or kudos, and we are only three weeks into pre-season, but I feel he will continue to be a very valuable signing for us.
“We feel very much one as a coaching staff, as a collective, and we’re disappointed Kevin (Sinfield) is no longer here because we miss him.
“But in terms of being aligned with Gary Hetherington, Paul Caddick and Rob Oates, they’re great guys to work for and work with.”
Hunwicks’ return to the Rhinos came as a surprise but once it became clear he was available, Agar did not hesitate to sign up the former Salford and England RL performance guru.
The Leeds boss explained: “For a couple of years, talking between myself and Gary, we felt it was an area which on the whole we’d made some improvements in.
“We had a vastly-experienced guy in Jason Davidson who has moved into the football management side of the club.
“With Kevin going, Jason’s knowledge, skills and experience will be particularly vital in that area and will fill a massive hole for us.
“But since Richard first left the club, he’s had 10 years’ experience at club and international level.
“I think it’s fair to say, from the outside looking in, what a terrific job has been done at Catalans.
“From being in the Million Pound in Steve McNamara’s first year in charge, they have since won the Challenge Cup, finished top and reached their first Grand Final.
“There has been a plan and a gradual improvement in everything they have done there.
“Why did we bring Richard back to Leeds? Because we were looking to make improvements in that area and quite unexpectedly he became available.
“We had a conversation and just immediately felt he was the right bloke for us.”
