Criticism of referee proves to be costly for Agar

The fine, £3,000 of which is payable immediately with the rest suspended until the end of the season, was imposed by a Rugby Football League tribunal after he was found guilty of breaching RFL operational rules and the game’s Respect Policy. It followed criticism by Agar of referee James Child after his side’s 20-18 defeat in a Super League fixture at the KC Stadium on April 1.

Agar, who claimed Child was “100 per cent” the reason why his side lost the match to Castleford, attended last week’s hearing alongside club representatives.

The tribunal also heard representations from Child and match commissioner Steve Cross.

Two years ago, Hull KR coach Justin Morgan was fined £4,000, half of it suspended, for his criticism of referee Ben Thaler.

The RFL say neither they or Hull will make any comment on the matter.

n Huddersfield will be without utility forward Graeme Horne for Sunday’s Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth-round tie against Batley because of suspension.

Horne was handed a one-match ban by the RFL’s disciplinary committee after he admitted making a dangerous tackle on Catalan Dragons second-rower Jason Baitieri during the Giants’ 13-12 defeat in Perpignan last Saturday.

The former Hull player, who was cited by the RFL’s match review panel, was also fined £300.

n Leeds have given Super League rivals Wakefield permission to play prop forward Kyle Amor in Sunday’s Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth-round tie at Doncaster.

The 23-year-old former Whitehaven front rower has played in the Wildcats’ last 11 matches as part of his loan spell.

“I played in the Challenge Cup for Whitehaven but we got knocked out after our first game,” he said. “I’m confident it will be a completely different matter with Wakefield and I hope I’m selected so I can go out there and help the team claim a victory.”

n St Helens have followed up the signing of New Zealand international Lance Hohaia with the capture of former Australia Test forward Anthony Laffranchi.

The 30-year-old Laffranchi will leave the Gold Coast Titans at the end of the season after agreeing a two-year contract with Saints.

Gold Coast managing director Michael Searle said the club was disappointed to lose the forward but could not compete with the money that St Helens offered.