Decision on rumoured Leeds Rhinos target Kyle Flanagan labelled ‘disgraceful’

The decision to throw Canterbury Bulldogs halfback Kyle Flanagan into the fray against Penrith Panthers this weekend has been labelled ‘disgraceful’.

That’s according to the Daily Telegraph with Flanagan currently being linked with a move to Leeds Rhinos in Super League.

Wests have denied the rumours that they are considering making a play for Flanagan’s father, Shane, to replace Michael Maguire as coach.

That has since led Channel 9’s The Mole to report that Flanagan senior and junior could well head to Super League to join the Rhinos.

Leeds Rhinos chief executive, Gary Hetherington, is currently undergoing a fact-finding trip in Australia, desperate to find a new head coach that can turn around the West Yorkshire club’s fortunes in 2022.

Richard Agar stepped down as boss a fortnight ago with Jamie Jones-Buchanan taking over as interim head coach.

However, Leeds have just one win in eight games so far in 2022 so Hetherington’s trip has become all the more important.

On Flanagan, however, pundit Braith Anasta is unhappy with Canterbury head coach Trent Barrett’s decision to include him against Penrith.

“I feel sorry for him,” Anasta said.

“He has been hammered pillar to post. His confidence has been battered. They didn’t give him a second, let alone a minute with Burton in the trials.

“They get to round five and they play the premiership heavyweights, the best team in the competition right now by a long way, and they go ‘here you, buddy’.”