HULL FC: We can take heart from defeat, says Agar
RICHARD Agar says his side will be a match for anyone in the play-offs if they can replicate the effort they showed in defeat to Leeds.
Hull saw their top four hopes ended in heartbreaking fashion with two late Danny McGuire tries denying the Black and Whites a deserved win against the reigning champions.
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Hull FC's Richard Agar.
Playing with 12 men for the majority of the match following Lee Radford's eighth-minute dismissal for fighting, Hull came agonisingly close to a victory against all the odds before going down 18-14.
Describing his pride in his team's performance, Agar says a repeat showing and minor improvements will put Hull in good stead for a run in the play-offs.
"If we replicate that sort of effort and get a bit smarter we will be a match for anyone," Agar told the Mail.
"I thought our effort and the way we played deserved to win the game. I'm proud of the way the boys played and I don't think anyone could have given any more to the cause.
"There were a couple of poor options at times, but fatigue in the end and being down to 12 men got the better of us.
"Undoubtedly being down to 12 men was the difference between the two sides."
Agar was critical of referee Ian Smith, who showed a red card to Radford following his punch-up with Leeds prop Ryan Bailey.
Reacting to being elbowed twice in the head, the Hull club captain responded with four attempted punches to Bailey's head, landing two.
"It was eight minutes into the game, two front rowers, one has elbowed Lee twice in the side of the head and he's reacted," added Agar.
"I thought a bit of common sense may have applied in a high pressure game with two front rowers at it hammer and tongs.
"A sin binning would have defused the situation and I cast my mind back a few weeks to Huddersfield against Wigan where I saw a far, far worse incident that resulted in a sin binning.
"The referee has made a decision in my mind which has had the ultimate bearing on the game. Lee is gutted, he's apologised to the boys."
Missing out on fourth place, defeat saw Hull drop to sixth in the table and leapfrogged by Huddersfield following their win at Catalans.
It means the intriguing prospect of a first-ever play-off Hull derby game.
After seeing several of his pack in particular have to play more minutes than expected against Leeds and his side exhausted following their efforts, Agar says how his team recover over the next few days ahead of the derby is key.
He added: "The important thing now is our recovery both mentally and physically after what we've put into that game.
"The guys gave it their all and we have to get ourselves right for the weekend."
8 Comments
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by Rich, Beverley
Monday, September 06 2010, 1:57PM
“Any ref worth his salt (even if he couldn't see Baileys elbowing) would know somethings gone in the the tackle to see Radfords reaction. I don't
think I've ever seen anyone sent off for throwing 3 punches before. A sin bin for radford and if the ref saw Bailey elbow one for him as well.”
by Magic, Roundabout
Monday, September 06 2010, 12:03PM
“Barry Mac and O` Conner both said ten minutes at the most. But at least Hull loosing has given us a MASSIVE game to look forward to next week. Hull at Wigan for a drubbing or a derby in front of 25000 people. I dont think Hull or Rovers will win the Final so for me this is both clubs final. Well done Radders.”
by Matt, west Hull
Monday, September 06 2010, 11:11AM
“What I find interesting is that in a similar incident a few weeks ago (I think involving Lee Smith but it might have been Senior) a Leeds player was up in front of the RFL panel for lashing out in the tackle when apparently trying to get up.
The panel said the Leeds player had to know the opponent was there and that made it clear there was an element of intent of intent or carelessness involved and that the player had failed in his duty to protect the safety of other players.
If you use the same logic in this case they are basically saying that Bailey would have know where Radford was when he threw his elbows. Three elbows thrown, three punches thrown - just bin them both and get on with it. No wonder the Aussies laugh at us.”
by Magic, Roundabout
Monday, September 06 2010, 10:40AM
“Will Radford get a ban as that was the last game of the season ? However if he does then Dowes will replace him.
I agree that Bailey is a coward and personally think Radford should have hit him even harder.”
by as i, saw it
Monday, September 06 2010, 10:39AM
“even though baileys elbow shots came in the tackle,they could be still deemed as high shots because they were an attack on radfords head the highest part of the body,even in the wrestling ring they dont attempt to land with the force that bailey was administering,he should have walked,the ref stood and wasnt even going to blow the whistle.”