JC -If you seriously think JP was that good ALL season then you need the specsavers check up fella.
I stand by my opinion no matter what numbers you throw out because i can see when a pack is out-played and and how pointless it is to play someone of Peacocks ilk for an hour against Widnes and Cas.
Now once the WCC is done why would it be so bad to rotate him and Kylie plus other forwards where applicable and actually utilise the squad??

New season, same drivel.

Ablett was colossal 1st half but over the whole game I thought McGuire was MOM.

Clarkson looked much improved and Moon and Hall are going to pose a real threat down the left hand side.

Only negatives as such were the lack of ball for Watkins as already mentioned and Achurch who looked a little lost and unfit.

With the greatest of respect my recollection of your posts on Peacock is the same as Tony Soprano's. You've been scathing about him for some time and I don't recall it being restricted to his international game.

Theres a good reason Hull collapsed in the second half, and thats leeds first half performance. Leeds are the best at building and maintaining pressure and if it doesnt pay immediate points dividends the pay off comes later in the game when the substantial extra work the opposition has had do tackling back earlier on. I'm not a big fans of Phil clarkes BS but his petrol being burned up analogy is correct. I dont doubt that leeds are one of the best conditioned sides but this pressure early on does mean they have 'petrol left in the tank' compared to their opposition more times than most.

'Don't play the slippery eel with me' we were talking about JP and how (in your opinion) overplaying him had a detrimental effect on his form.

You have not been able to substantiate your claim other than repeating what you see as though this somehow proves you to be right. I have not forgotten your negative judgements with regard to our coach, JP's form and England Fly half MOM Owen Farrell all now somewhat discredited!!

I stand by those judgements at the time of stating them.
Our coach and team got it right i dont deny that and its great that they did but does that mean things weren't wrong at the time of those past discussions?
How JP performed in the play offs didn't disguise how off the pace he was in other games not just him either btw and i still think we should rotate more even if he's the best Prop in the world.
As for OF c'mon now how long ago did we have that discussion a year ago now and was there an immediate improvement or was he dropped for Flood plus remind me did i say he'd never be a decent player?

Achurch did struggle with the pace. Thought his second half was a bit more composed than his first. At the half hour mark when JP (who was awesome) and Bails (solid as a rock) went off it was a huge test for Kirke and Achurch to carry on the platform that was set and it didn't really happen. Some sloppy mis tackles from both were evident in the build up to Hulls only try.

All in all a good hit out from Leeds. They were patient and good gang tackling. As for Hull, clueless at the minute.

Loved Ganson penalising Bails twice. Suspect calls to say the least

At least the frequency of penalties reduced when the starting props made way.

Let's hope Bailey has learned his lesson as I know how much you frown upon players conceding needless penalties while in possession.

Got to love Steve Ganson's comment to Sinfield in the 6th minute after Bailey's second indiscretion to the effect of 'I won't give a team warning as it's the same player.'

I thought you were very dominant - we did well to stay close to you for an hour. Its not a moan or an excuse, but felt the non 40-20 call was a bit harsh, the line is that thick that he would have been within the 40 had it been a normal line marking.

Our passing was slow but on the same hand, your push defence from the centres was very good. You have started where you finished last season, we have some work to do

About 20 minutes in I was thinking Bailey was the ready-made answer to our prop problem. Too soon to raise memories of Ben Cross, of course, but Achurch [imight[/i be another question rather than an answer himself. Hopefully he'll show some edge in time.

I gather Singleton had a pretty horrible afternoon at Odsal yesterday....

I haven't seen a recording of the match yet, so it might be a moot point. But at the match I couldn't understand why they went to the video, as I didn't think the kick had reached our 20, and fell just short.

They never looked at that, and only where the kick was from on the video.

If it did reach our 20, then I agree that the call on the kick was incorrect, IMO.

Well it is a moan....



IIRC it was Seymour who kicked the '40-20', maybe the ref presumed he couldn't offer anything positive like usual.

I know the halves can take a while to settle/blend, but I thought Holdsworth would have dictated play more. Someone needed to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. It didn't happen. Plenty of effort just lacking some severe killer instinct.

Difficult to tell from the TV footage but it would have been a close call either way. For mine just short of the twenty.



No need to look any further once the planted non kicking foot had touched the 40 metre whitewash.



In what respect was it an incorrect call ?

A part of the players foot touched the line in the act of executing the kick. Not sure officials are really allowed to ignore the rules in that way.


__________




It was Aaron Heremaia.

Erm......

yeah our halves were poor - but with Holdsworth only arriving in January and 1 week training in tenerife - i think that we were bound to be poor with the ball - should have played that half back pairing in every pre season game IMO

A very useful hit-out for the lads and the highlight for me was the JP try legs pumping like a young backrower what a awesome player he is and lets hope he continues that form for a while. worth the gate fee to witness it. The other positives were to see the form of C Clarkson and that P McShane fitted in well with decent minutes on top. Despite some reservations i like the look and agility of M Achurch

Just a body that made 37 tackles. What do you watch during the games or is it personal with JJB. I remember you taking pot shots at him for facial hair

after the resurgence of several players in 2011 it's hard to write anyone off (again) but on present form clarkson may offer more than jjb.

with delaney and jjb you've 2 second row who will work all day but it's the breaks clarkson's now making that are probably more jjb in his pomp than the 37 tackles

It should be hard to write off last years player of the year after 1 game. It should be hard to write him off after he makes 37 tackles in that game. It should be hard to write him off for a player who has put in 1 good attacking display after a couple of years where that side of his game has stagnated.

It should be. But on Southstandert, it isn't.

He did state "present" form. ....and just for the record I would not drop JJB. Clarkson to continue off the bench for me.

Anyone know what the prognosis is on Leuluai?

IIRC he can't go out on dual registration or loan without changing his visa, so even when he's back fit it's hard to see where he's going to regain his match fitness

At Swinton alongside Paul Wood.

Or Hunslet....

one day there'll all be 40 and still playing