What's on the agenda this week for Leeds Rhinos head coach Richard Agar?
1 Perspective: The 66-12 thrashing of Toronto Wolfpack took Rhinos top of the table for the first time – outside the opening couple of rounds – since the 2015 treble-winning season.
They have scored 176 points during their winning sequence and conceded 30, but three of those matches have been at home and the opposition hasn’t been in good form.
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Hide AdMuch tougher tests lie ahead and it’s possible Rhinos could play well in the next three matches and lose them all.
Top-five (and maybe Wembley) remains the aim.
2 Full-back: Following Jack Walker’s injury, Richie Myler has stepped in and done a fine job and options are increasing with Tom Briscoe getting very close to his comeback following a knee reconstruction.
When he is available it is likely the long-term plan – during Walker’s layoff – will be for Briscoe to play on the left-wing, with Ash Handley moving to full-back.
Though a couple of experienced full-backs – Wigan’s Morgan Escare and Tony Gigot who is playing as an amateur for Toronto – may be available, Rhinos aren’t keen to bring in another loan player and at this stage want to cover the vacancy from their current squad.
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Hide Ad3 Joe Greenwood: The England Knights forward was brought in from Wigan a couple of weeks ago on a two-month loan.
He wants game time, but hasn’t had a run yet. That’s understandable with Rhinos playing so well (who could Agar drop?), but Greenwood will need an opportunity soon.
The loan could be extended, but Wigan will want him playing as well. It’s a tough sport, though and a pack injury is inevitable sooner rather than later.
4 Potential: Five senior players are on Rhinos’ casualty list, plus Liam Sutcliffe, who is on dual-registration duty with Featherstone Rovers.
There is also salary cap space for at least one more signing. Long-term, this team is only going to get better.