Honestly, i can't believe what i'm reading. Drop McGuire for Hardaker at SO? Crazy talk.

Hardaker is definitely not Jarrod Hayne. Hayne is a world class fullback right now, who has already played a handful of games at stand off. Gould was talking generically about how long it takes to become a genuine stand off. He referred to the likes of Fittler and Lockyer who both took some time to settle into the role. Suggesting that Hardaker, who has only played on the wing for Leeds, could somehow develop into our starting stand off for next year from a handful of games at the end of this year is ridiculous.

Its just the standard ss.com obsession with taking a player who does very well in 1 position, and moving them to another. For reference see Ryan Hall to Centre/Second Row threads

I can see the potential for Hardaker to step into the stand off role, but to insinuate he will be the best at the club within a few weeks is insane. He would never get picked over Mcguire for such a 'massive' game. It would take a lot of time for him to be able to make the role his own and perhaps experimentation in the off season and a few games next year, perhaps he will be ready in 2013.
I would look to go with the settled combinations that have served well in the past as suggested earlier.

SH Burrow
SO Mcguire
LF Sinfield
H Buderus

The only experimentation McD should be doing before the semi is working out the best pack and wing/centre combinations.

And perhaps continuing the radical experiment from the second half of the QF where the ball was held onto and a foundation built before anything more elaborate was attempted?