Richard Agar has hailed a “tremendous exhibition of attacking rugby” that gave Leeds Rhinos’ season lift-off in stunning fashion at Castleford Tigers.
The Rhinos went into Friday’s game with just two wins from their first seven fixtures, a run in which they managed to score only 90 points.
But they clicked into gear in style against a depleted Castleford outfit to run in 60 unanswered points after conceding the opening try after just two minutes.
“We played some great stuff,” said Agar.
“It clearly wasn’t the start we wanted but I thought we were pretty good defensively after that to keep them to the try in the first couple of minutes.
“I’m more happy that we didn’t let it rattle us. We were pretty positive in how we came back from it, and to come back pretty quickly and pretty ruthlessly as well.
“What we played in the first half was a tremendous exhibition of attacking rugby.
“I think that’ll be good for us from the point of view that while we haven’t been getting the wins we feel we’ve competed.
“We have had a lot of injuries and disruption to the team and instability; we played an opposition tonight that’s had some disruption and instability.
“Tonight will be good to get that feeling again of what our style of rugby feels like and looks like, and have the confidence in that.
“We’ve shown little bits this year but not flow it through set after set like we did tonight. We know there will be tougher challenges to come.”
The Rhinos were the underdogs heading into the game on the back of another disjointed performance against Hull FC but they took advantage of Daryl Powell’s decision to rest some key men ahead of next week’s Challenge Cup semi-final.
“It wasn’t what we expected before the game, that’s for sure,” added Agar.
“But I just applaud the players that they kept going after them. I thought we scored tries in a number of ways.
“That was the pleasing thing – that we felt like ‘this is us’ and that we have got the ability to score in different ways. I think it’ll do us the world of good.”
Leeds have been on the receiving end of some hidings at the hands of Castleford in recent times but they turned the tables by running in 11 tries in front of a shell-shocked home crowd.
Luke Gale rounded things off against his old club but Morgan Gannon’s first Super League try was the highlight as the teenager continues to enhance his growing reputation.
“We just spoke about it in the changing room – his first senior try,” said Agar.
“You could see how pumped he was to get that. I think his team-mates were equally as pleased for him.
“He’s a kid that despite being 17 years old, he’s soon garnered the respect of some strong and good senior players. He’s done that through his actions and how he conducts himself day in, day out and his humility as a kid and the performances he’s been delivering.
“Again tonight, we talk about his try but defensively he is very, very strong and rips on to the ball incredibly hard for a 17-year-old.
“He knows his role and is a very, very impressive young man and a good talent.”
