I think this year we probably have a stronger squad than at any time in recent years, especially in the forwards where we now have 3 players competing for every starting slot....given that, I can see a lot of people who have till this season been 1st teamers losing their spots completely.....so here's what I think we'll line up with next season:

1. Brent Webb
2. Ben Jones-Bishop
4. Zak Hardaker
3. Kallum Watkins
5. Ryan Hall
13. Kevin Sinfield (C)
6. Danny McGuire
8. Kylie Leuluai
9. Paul McShane
10. Jamie Peacock
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12. Carl Ablett
18. Chris Clarkson

7. Rob Burrow
15. Brett Delaney
16. Ryan Bailey
20. Darrell Griffin

You love a list you do.

The chances of those 17 players being fit at the same time are slim. After that it goes on form.

Might be of benefit to keep Bailey & Leuluai on their toes with the likes of Moore ready to step up if their performance drops.

Pretty similar to last years with Moore and Griffin replacing Burgess and Cross, so I wouldn't say it's any stronger than the last couple of years. I predict Huaraki to go well this year, Hood to overtake Mcshane, and Kirke to get barely any gametime.

We have JP and Danny Mags starting off the year and hopefully fit too

We could go with an all English 17 that would not let anyone down:
BJB
Hall
Watkins
Hardaker
Chisolm
McGuire
Burrow
Griffin
McShane
Peacock
JJB
Ablett
Sinfield

Hood
Bailey
Moore
Clarkson

Oh I hope you're right ......and I agree with everything else you state too.

....interesting. I would definitely start Hall on the right wing and get Chisholm on the left wing at the earliest opportunity. He looked pretty good on boxing day, but would accept that has limited value in making a proper judgement.

Clarkson has to start or not at all: he's not an impact, off-the-bench, type.

I'd think we should be stronger - certainly faster.
The biggest loss has to be Buderus, but hopefully McShane and Hood can step up. Brian Mac says he doesn't know how he's going to use them yet, but I suspect he'll go with both playing.

The big difference for me is the pace and strength of the back line, BJB and particularly Hardaker and Watkins come into this season with much more experience behind them. Those three along with Chisolm (who I'd hope gets some starts) and Hall could well be the fastest back line in SL.

Unless we get the sort of horrific injury crisis we've had in the past two seasons, having a healthy squad should in itself make the team stonger.

Last season the team had to adjust to a new coach and new systems and had virtually no meaningful pre-season.
The season before it would seem that Bluey had lost the plot a bit. Again I think that makes us stronger this time round.

Having said all that, and having supported this team for the best part of 45 years, and especially in the light of last season, I'm not given to predicting how we'll line up or how well we'll do.

I'd say we are stronger and have the added bonus of JP and Mags starting the season plus we won't have a new coaching set up trying to bed in.
The other positives are that the squad should be more settled i.e Delaney is a SR 1st and foremost etc etc and whilst i agree Buderus will be a loss the emergance of Mcshane and Hood still gives us balance and threat at 9.
We also have more depth and competition for places with the likes of Singleton ,D.Smith ,Ward and Chisolm coming in on FT deals add to that Moore looks like he has a point to prove and i expect Griffin to replace Kirke as no4 Prop.
Hopefully we won't be as inconsistent or disjointed this year either.

Another strongest ever squad thread.

With Lee Smith also in contention.

Nah just stronger than last year in terms of depth plus the likes of Watkins ,BjB and Hardaker 1 yr wiser and of course there should be less chance of seeing your favourite no4 Prop in the 17 week in week out.

I predict that he'll get more. Seriously.

Yes I toyed with that one too.
Maybe put Ablett on the bench and Clarkson to SR.
Still some good options though with reasonably good back up too.

And Briscoe, Ward and Watson for the backs.
Pitts, Kirke,Ambler,Singleton and Amor for the forwards.
Who needs overseas signings?
I think Delaney certainly justifies his place in the 17 and Hauraki could be much better this year.
FWIW Kirke I thought had a good game Boxing Day too.

To be followed up by a [i'Can the Rhinos go all season unbeaten?'[/i thread.

If they remain unbeaten going in to the GF; having won the WCC, Challenge Cup and Hubcap, I promise to start this thread.

Sadly, you're right. One thing about Kirke is that every coach we've had has continually selected him. It makes a mockery of those who excuse his efforts by saying he's a cheap squad player. He's a 1st choice 1st teamer and has been for a number of seasons, for some bizarre reason.

I'd like to see him ousted or, alternatively, merit his selection.

Mcdermott doesn't strike me as the sort of coach who will pick a player due to sentimental value, with the additions of Moore, Ambler, Griffin and possibly Amor mid season, Kirke will have to be in top form to get a look in this season imo.

I thought the deal with Amor is that we have a mid season deadline to decide whether we want him back for 2013 and beyond?

Maybe so, I thought if we decided to sign him we would get him instantly, but actually it's more likely he would remain there on loan. Even still, Kirke will have alot of work to do to make the 17 this year injury permitting.

And yet as I mentioned previously he had a decent game on BD putting in some decent hits and offloads.
Saying that he would still be 6th choice prop this year.
Personally I would have Kylie as 5th choice but that aint gonna happen either.