NRL to Investigate Warriors Assistant Coach Over Alleged Altercation with Journalist

The NRL has launched an investigation into Warriors assistant coach Richard Agar following allegations that he assaulted a British journalist during halftime of the club’s season opener against Canberra in Las Vegas. According to nine.com.au, Agar is accused of grabbing the journalist by the throat and verbally abusing him in the press box at Allegiant Stadium.

The journalist, who remains unnamed but works for The Guardian, has alleged that Agar not only physically confronted him but also directed verbal abuse at him during the altercation. The NRL has confirmed it is aware of the incident and is actively seeking CCTV footage to verify the claims.

Agar, who joined the Warriors as an assistant coach in 2023, has had a long career as both a player and coach in England. Reports suggest that the tension may stem from a 2022 article in which the journalist criticized Agar’s tenure at Leeds in the Super League, arguing he should have been sacked earlier.

Warriors CEO Cameron George has acknowledged the allegations and plans to conduct an internal review once the team returns to Auckland. “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,” George told News Corp.

The alleged incident marred an otherwise successful start to the NRL’s expansion efforts in Las Vegas. While the Warriors struggled on the field, the historic doubleheader was widely seen as a positive step for rugby league’s growth in the United States. However, Agar’s reported altercation has cast a shadow over the event, with the NRL now tasked with determining the facts surrounding the confrontation.