Leeds Rhinos begin life without Richard Agar on Saturday when Jamie Jones-Buchanan takes interim charge of the club in their Challenge Cup tie against Castleford Tigers. Jones-Buchanan met with the media on Wednesday to discuss a plethora of issues - including his own prospects of taking the job full-time. Here is what the Rhinos legend had to say.
On whether he wants the job
Jones-Buchanan has a chance to impress as interim coach, but he seemed to play down his desire to take the role on a permanent basis at present. "I'll hold the baby until it's decided whether I'm the best person to hold it.
"But this isn't about me or fulfilling some lifelong goal, I find myself here through circumstance. I've always recognised the power of opportunity and in many ways I could look at this and say it's the best job out of playing because I'm steering my boyhood club, but it's not about me.
"If and when the management finds someone who's better suited than me, I'll doff their pillow, make them a cup of tea and carry their bags and make them feel welcome."
On surprise team selections
Jones-Buchanan did hint at some changes to the side that were beaten last Friday at Salford, but stressed no decisions have yet been made. "That'll come down to today when I'm talking to Sean Long, Rich Hunwick and James Bledsoe," he said.
"I'll be drawing upon their knowledge and they'll play a part and between us we'll come up with what we feel is the best team. There's a bit to fix up, not massive issues by any means, but we've got to get ourselves in a position to compete against Castleford."
On the availability of David Fusitu'a
The winger was missing from last week's defeat at Salford with a minor knee injury, but does stand a chance of returning on Saturday. "He's one that I've got to have a chat with today," Jones-Buchanan said. "Player welfare is really important and we want a fit and healthy David Fusitu'a.
"He's blown my mind with his skill, I don't think I've seen such a big man with such finesse. I hope for our sake that he's available but I'll be leaning on the physios to let us know if he's available because the last thing we need against a team like Castleford is for him not to complete the game. It's 60-40 for at the minute."
On the mindset of the squad after Agar's exit
"I'm not inside their minds, there'll be a fair bit of disappointment and maybe a sense of new opportunity," Jones-Buchanan revealed. "You'd have to ask them individually but collectively, Monday was a heavy day and it was difficult to take.
"I love Leeds and the last thing I want to see is players and staff leaving, and certainly a head coach. I'd be the first to recognise that every coach wants to leave the club in a better place than when he arrived and Richard Agar did that."
