If this kind of negative attitude and off-field behaviour can be tempered by the good influence of the core team at Leeds like Sinfield and Peacock, he'd definitely be worth a punt IMO. The raw potential is there, and he's still relatively young. There's no guarantee he'll change his ways, but if not he can always follow the route blazed by Thackray, Lee Smith, McShane and others...

In any case, it looks more like desperate rumour mongering to sell papers/get hits, especially since back-row is not an immediate priority for recruitment.

If Leeds were to sign Westerman would that mean we'd lost faith in Stevie Ward?

Not necessarily. Nothing wrong with healthy competition in the squad.

Westerman is the third highest tackler in SL, more tackle busts than any forward except Darryl Clark, second in metres made for a back rower, third in SL for carries, second in try assists for a back rower. I’m struggling to see what more you would want from a back rower who is available, especially one with latent talent to burn.

This is clearly rubbish.

Why would anyone want to leave Hull?

I mean Ellis chose them over us to 'win trophies' and not for the £££ or anything.

Who would want to leave a side that perennially underachieves?

He still has.

Can he play prop?

Shove Delaney up to prop and put Westerman in the back row and our squad would look a lot stronger.

Although I agree moving Delaney up to prop makes sense, Im not sure if he at the moment could play there week in week out. Especially the way our "machines" are run down to a bloody stump.

Delaney can't play prop. It's been tried and didn't work

He's not available though...is he??

When? (I genuinely can't remember)

Probably not.

But as Chairman Pearson owes out a shedload of cash, a well timed, bid for the right price could sweeten the pot.

I remember him playing prop once last year towards the back end of the year. Heard a lot of clammer on here for him to be prop, not sure myself, think he can fill in there but not convinced about him holding the prop position down perminently

What did people say about Peacock when first moved up to prop?

(Can't understand any interest in Westerman: Save the money for a good a young marquee prop or half back please)

Agree regarding Westerman, I wouldn't be too bothered about signing him.

Don't know what was said about peacock, was it around 2004/2005 he started there. Delaney might make a decent fist of prop, just don't think he is the answer long term.

Thought the only time Delaney played prop was at home vs HKR. Had several games at loose which is kinda 3rd prop at times I suppose and I thought his best spell of the season was in the matches he was selected at loose.

I would be delighted with the signing of Westerman, many good years ahead of him, in my opinion he is on current form better then JJB, S Ward, Achurch, Clarkson & Delaney on the prop front I would not be surprised if we have some real marquee props ready to come to us next year but we have to wait until next year until Peacock and Kylie are off the salary cap.

12 months ago I wouldn't have been interested about us signing him as his career looked like it might plod away from the early promise but after his strong 2014 I think he'd be a very good addition.

I thought physically he looked the best of England's backrowers in the 4 Nations. Much more impressed with him than either Farrell or Tomkins.

I haven't got a clue. Next time I will wait until it is officially announced that a player is on the market.

Why so touchy?



No issues with a rumour thread (even though this one has no substance) but you actually said he's available when no other press release/rumour has said he is..quite the opposite in fact..so I was thinking/assuming you might have been told differently by someone ie some inside information

Apologies. I wasn't inferring Westerman is available, what I meant was there is no-one who is available comes close to him IMO. So if he does come on the market any team wanting a world class back rower should be in for him.

Sky Sports is suggesting it as a possibility!!!

[urlhttp://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/9589865/super-league-leeds-rhinos-determined-to-bounce-back-from-disappointments-of-2014[/url

It seems he is highly rated by some respected contributors on this forum (I must have missed something but I am happy to defer to informed opinion). Buderus was a clear example of a magnificent signing despite there been no apparent 'need' or priority. Maybe Westerman will prove to be another if the rumours are true.

It is still slightly depressing though that in the skysports report Burrow is described as Leeds' hooker. Where DID it all go so wrong??



Let's hope Robbie Ward can step up this season and command this hugely important role. Delaney will become the 'new Peacock'; Cuthbertson will be a revelation as a barnstorming SL prop and Singleton will be playing so strongly that Kylie can step down gracefully and take a fill in only (back seat).
There that's a few 'problem' positions filled...

Now what about those halfback problems?

Nah that's done it...I've gone back into depressive mode