I am reticent to start any negative posts after such a magnificent team effort, but I still cannot comprehend the inclusion of Kirke in what is considered the first 17 again by a respective Leeds coach.

Surely Lauititi was hard done by to be dropped in his favour yet again ...the lad has been deprived of two wembley appearances and possibly (could have been definitely) his 200th appearance.

Okay there's no room for sentiment in sport...BUT Ali's nemesis must have something I'm missing.

Even Amor would surely command a bench spot over our puzzling gentle giant ?

I think he had a fair game last night, but did think was hard on Ali to lose his spot

He smashed Solomona in the first half. I almost choked on my chocolate finger.

Kirke again played really well last night IMO. Gave Solomona a big'un from Wigan in the first half as well. If he keeps running and tackling with this new found aggression he is an excellent 4th prop.

Why break the habits of a lifetime?



Kirke did ok last night and put in some big tackles.

Did you see the interview given by Sinfield in the Sky pre match build up? He spoke very well and said some good positive things about coach BM. One point was he said that last year the players were not sure of their roles and this is one of the things that BM has put right this year but it has taken time.

So the team selections are based on players fullfilling the exact role that has been allocated so they all know where they are. Kirke has shown improvement this year and perhaps he is fullfilling the role of sub prop with orders to defend around the ruck and not miss tackles and give away penalties. In this he has been successful. It is a similar role that Bailey used to fulfill (with the exception of giving away penalties).

This year Bailey has been asked to improve his go forward which he also has done sucessfully. If Big Mac has improved the performances of two long term 'bench subs' then this indeed shows good coaching skills.

Maybe next year he can teach Kirke to improve his go forward game as well! And if he can get Webb to stop making forward passes he will become coach of the year!icon_razz.gifRAY:

TBH I quite like Ian Kirke.....He has his faults I guess, but he is one of those players who isnt going to make the headlines every week, but puts in the work for the team, makes us some yards and as someone mentioned above comes up with some massive hits from time to time like the one on Solomona last night. He is one of those unsung hero type of players, and every side needs a couple of them in the team.

Nah...I can be persuaded....but not here. Lauititi has always offered more....and continues to do so IM(H)O.

His baffling continued first 17 selection still continues to defy logic.

Yeah you're right - shocking selection last night - McDermott out

Yeah but with Ali in the 17 instead of Kirke Leeds would have won comfortably

Surely the choice is between Ali and Hauraki rather than Ali and Kirke? How Ali loses this contest in the eyes of McDermott I just don't understand.

Each to their own opinion I guess, much in the same way as Mac using Burrow consistently off the bench instead of starting him. As I said earlier today in another thread, Mac will do things his way, and given where he has taken us this last few weeks, who are we to question his judgement?

Agree, in fact many of McDermott's decisions in team I totally agree with, especially the benching of Burrow which should have been done years ago. On topic, Kirke is reliable in some respects and deserves his place on the bench out of the players in his position who are available. However Ali should be alongside him...!