Agar speaks for first time on 'regrettable' Vegas incident with journalist

Logan Swinkels • April 25th, 2025 3:03 pm

Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

The NRL's 2025 season opener came with much hype and interest for the NZ Warriors - heightened by the bright lights of Las Vegas - but it ended up being a weekend to forget for the club.

Aside from the on-field loss to the Canberra Raiders, assistant coach Richie Agar found his name in the headlines during the second half as initial reports began swirling of his involvement in a physical altercation with a reporter at Allegiant Stadium.

Following the NRL's investigation into what happened, Agar was handed a breach notice that included a three-game suspension, prohibiting him from attending Warriors games home and away.

Speaking with the media for the first time since his suspension was lifted, Agar did not shy away from the incident.

"From my perspective, it was a regrettable incident," Agar told Sport Nation's Beaver & Guy.

"As soon as it happened, I knew I'd done wrong, I immediately reported it. I was quite prepared to wear any consequences because I felt I was in the wrong.

"But when the allegations or reports came out, that I choked (him), grabbed his throat, strangled him, abused him. Well, that just did not happen. Absolutely didn't happen.

"My immediate reaction is (to) go get the CCTV because that's just not what happened at all. But by then, obviously, it's too late and it's gone out to the media."

Richard Agar, NZ Warriors assistant coach

Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

The incident occurred during the Warriors' 30-8 loss to the Canberra Raiders, with the deficit 16-4 at half-time. It was during the break in play that the altercation between Agar and freelance rugby league reporter John Davidson took place.

Media reports alleged that Agar verbally abused Davidson and pushed him in the throat.

"I think my disappointment is, for us we had a poor performance. The NRL's on the stage like that in Vegas and it shone a light on us," Agar continued.

"I'm not real fussed about being in the limelight too much and I felt I'd put our club, our coach, our ownership, myself and the game itself in the headlines for the wrong reason and that's why we're more disappointed really.

"I was very adamant that I was speaking to the guy - I turned around and I pushed him.

"What I would say is this isn't a coach that is upset because someone's written some nasty things about him. I've been coaching for the best part of 25 years and you have to believe me that happens quite frequently when we're coaches.

"We get lots of things said about us, but there's some very, I guess, deeply personal reasons around this. And I feel I would always stand up for myself and stand up for the people that are important to me around this.

"As I said at the time, there's two sides to the story. And the allegations, I wholly disagreed with the version of events that were put out in the press," Agar said.

"At the same time, it was important that I held my hand up and owned the fact that, yep, I did push him and I was in the wrong and whatever punishment is going to come my way, then I will cop it on the chin because I'm quite happy to be responsible for my own actions."

Agar alongside Warriors head coach Andrew Webster | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

The 53-year-old came to the Auckland-based NRL club with vast knowledge and pedigree from his time at Super League sides Hull, Wakefeild Trinity and most recently Leeds.

The suspension did not prohibit Agar from participating in training sessions with the Warriors, who went on a 3-0 run after Las Vegas, taking down the Manly Sea Eagles, Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers before their first bye of the 2025 season.

Reflecting on what transpired on March 2, Agar maintains that he largely has a positive relationship with the media, while taking full responsibility for his actions.

"This is the first instance where I've had a particular incident like this with a journalist. You know, I'll be really honest, I've got some tremendous friends and relationships with people in the press. And I've also got some that over the years just aren't as good, they're strained and they are difficult. But I think that's just the nature of the beast," Agar explained.

"From my perspective where I've got it wrong this time, you've got to treat them with respect even if it doesn't come back your way.

"If you are coaching in sport, or even playing over a long period of time, I think even more so now with the advent of social media and the need for clicks, sometimes it gets more and more instant. And when it becomes instant there's less time for checking facts and things like that.

"As a coach, every single thing that comes out of our mouths is scrutinised and interpreted, whereas it's probably not the same behind a keyboard. You can put a lot of things out there that just aren't true and can be very, very damaging.

"But it's too late then, and there's no sort of consequence or ramifications. The origins of my conversation that day was around that, around their responsibilities. They have impact on people and I'm not talking about myself.

"At the same time, I'm the first person to admit that I've completely picked the wrong time and place to have that conversation."

The Warriors' Anzac Day clash with the Newcastle Knights will be Agar's first match since his suspension has been lifted.

Tune into Sport Nation for live commentary of the Warriors vs Knights at Christchurch's Apollo Projects Stadium from 7pm Friday, kick-off 8pm.

Listen to the full interview with Richie Agar below: