Why Leeds Rhinos signed Joe Greenwood on loan from Wigan Warriors
Coach Richard Agar has explained the thinking behind Leeds Rhinos’ swoop to sign Wigan Warriors forward Joe Greenwood on an initial two-month loan.
Greenwood began his career at St Helens, spending five seasons there before a stint in the NRL for Gold Coast Titans.
He joined Wigan in 2018 and won an England cap against New Zealand that autumn. After 21 appearances last year, he has not featured for the Cherry and Whites in 2020.
Though known as a specialist second-rower, he could play at prop for Rhinos.
Agar said: “He is a big body and we have put it to him about playing as a middle here.
“He is known as an edge player, but he is a player with a lot of ability and some good experience.
“The Gold Coast move was good for him, but didn’t quite work out and Wigan are going with Willie Isa and Liam Farrell [in the second-row], but we think he can do a job.
“There’s a bit of versatility in him so he can play edge and middle.”
Agar added: “He has got some skills in him.
“He can offload and he runs good lines. He is still a good age, he is English and in the loan period we can see if it works for him and if it works for us.”
Wigan may be willing for Greenwood to spend the rest of this season at Leeds, but Agar feels an initial two-month spell will suit both parties.
“We’ll see if we enjoy and get on with each other and we’ll see where we stand on it down the track,” he said.
“We feel this is a position that bolsters our squad and the beauty of the loan deal is that we can get a good feel for each other and see if it works.”
Outlining their part of the deal, Wigan’s executive director Kris Radlinski said: “Joe has been honest with us about wanting to play regular Super League rugby and we were up-front with him by outlining how, with a fully-fit squad to choose from, we couldn’t guarantee him when his next opportunity would be in the up-coming weeks.
“Things have progressed with Leeds and all parties felt it was a good opportunity for the player and it would be wrong for us to stand in his way. The situation was approached in a considered manner and we will review it in eight weeks’ time.”