Former Leeds Rhinos head coach Richard Agar is facing a huge suspension and ban after an alleged clash with a journalist in Las Vegas.
Agar, who coached Leeds Rhinos for three years, is currently an assistant coach with the New Zealand Warriors after departing Headingley midway through the 2022 season.
It was confirmed that he would join the Warriors for the 2023 season and he has been with the club ever since, including on their trip to Las Vegas in late February and early March.
The Warriors were involved in the NRL’s season launch where they fell to a 30-8 defeat to Canberra Raiders, however, an alleged off-field incident caught the headlines more than the result.
Reports quickly emerged that Agar had allegedly grabbed a UK-based journalist by the throat whilst the coach was on his way to the sheds at half-time.
That path led him through the media area where the incident allegedly took place with the NRL confirming that they were investigating the incident and those allegations, which also included verbal abuse.
Ex-Leeds Rhinos boss facing huge fine and ban after alleged Vegas clash with journalist
— Rugby League Central (@NRLMedia) March 17, 2025
The NRL have now released a statement which has served Agar with a breach notice for the alleged incident, with the ex-Leeds Rhinos man having five days to respond and either accept or challenge the charges.
That breach notice reads: “The National Rugby League (NRL) today issued New Zealand Warriors Assistant Coach Richard Agar with a breach notice alleging a breach of the NRL Code of Conduct following an altercation with an accredited media representative during Round 1 of the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership.
“The breach notice proposes a fine for Agar of $10,000 (half suspended), a suspension of three (3) NRL matches and a requirement for Agar to undertake appropriate education and training.
“The suspension prohibits Agar from performing any duties as Assistant Coach of the Warriors on the days the matches are scheduled. Further, Agar is prohibited from travelling to any away match scheduled for the Warriors during the period of the suspension.”
It’s unclear how Agar will plead but The Daily Mail had previously reported that Agar ‘rejects’ the claim whilst the Warriors CEO Cameron George said: “I’ll speak to Richard and I’ll speak to the NRL to find out exactly what happened and we’ll take it from there.”
Phil Rothfield, one of the leading journalists Down Under, had told the Big Sports Breakfast radio show: “Richard Agar has grabbed this poor fella by the throat and given him a dreadful spray. It was so wrong and to be physical like that is not on. I expect Richard Agar to issue an apology.”
Agar now has five business days to respond to the breach notice.
