Agar: Victory at Leeds Rhinos could make for prolonged Challenge Cup run for Wakefield Wildcats

WAKEFIELD Trinity Wildcats head coach Richard Agar believes victory against Leeds Rhinos tonight could set his side up for a good run in the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Agar’s side face a tough task at Headingley Carnegie (kick-off 8pm) against a Leeds team who’ve finished runners-up in the world-famous competition for the past two seasons.

But with the West Yorkshire derby being one of four all-Super League ties in the fourth round, Agar says victory for either side could propel them far in the competition.

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“There are a lot of all Super League ties in the first round,” he said.

“I’m sure that a lot of people are looking at a result in this one as one that’s going to open up some possibilities next time.

“We know the size of the task in front of us, they’ve been finalists for the last two years and champions for the last four years out of five, so they are a team that undoubtedly know how to win big games and have proved time and again that they’ve got the personnel to do that.

“But we go there having had a good look at them, and knowing ourselves that on a one-off occasion we certainly feel that we’ve got the capability to cause them trouble.”

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The game will be Wildcats’ third in eight days and Agar believes the quick turnaround on the back of the Easter double-header will have an impact on both teams.

“Arranging the game for a Friday will be tough on both teams having played Friday and Monday over Easter as well,” he commented.

“That’s what we’re faced with and it’s the same for both of us. We feel that we’re fresh enough and have enough fit and fresh bodies in there for it not to be much of a concern.”

Leeds will be boosted by the return of Danny McGuire and head coach Brian McDermott will want to make it third time lucky in the competition after back-to-back runners-up medals for the Rhinos

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He said: “This club has got a proud history in this competition and in recent times quite a bit of heartache. However, we make no bones about it, we want to win it.”

See today’s Wakefield Express to read more from Richard Agar ahead of tonight’s cup clash.