Leeds Rhinos embrace RFL crackdown on try celebrations

WITH Covid-19 casting a shadow over the sport – and more than half the 11 Super League clubs now having had at least one positive test – the Rugby Football League (RFL) has issued a crackdown on try celebrations.
Leeds Rhinos head coach Richard AgarLeeds Rhinos head coach Richard Agar
Leeds Rhinos head coach Richard Agar

Jumping on or hugging a teammate is now outlawed as part of a drive to avoid unnecessary “close contacts” during games. In a sport built on physical collisions, that may seem a bizarre step, but Leeds Rhinos coach Richard Agar feels anything which reduces the risk is worth trying.

“We have been told not to celebrate, or to come up with different celebrations – to celebrate without touching each other,” confirmed Agar, whose side play Huddersfield Giants on Friday.

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“They have gone down the lines of potential fines for celebrations which are what would be deemed a close contact.

“We have to be respectful and mindful of that, we have seen how much postponements and two weeks’ quarantine is hurting the game.

“Try celebrations, when people jump on each other and hug each other, technically can be classed the same as a tackle, as a close contact.

“They are trying to avoid that.”

Rhinos’ players have been told to stick to the rules, but Agar admitted: “Within our club we think it’s important you do celebrate the good things on the field and you do pick your team-mate up after something that’s maybe not so good.

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“It is part of our culture, so we have had to try and come up with some more amusing, inventive acknowledgements when people do stuff good and bad.

“We might see some funny ones over the next couple of weeks, with a bit of luck.”

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