he is 20 actually,not far off 21

I'd try him at centre and Smith on the wing.

More thoughts ae echoed.

Have To Agree A Second Rower For Me Also, His Body Actions Aren't That Of A Usual Winger And His Speed On The Turn When Chasing Back A Kick Isn't Too Great, Although Saying That He's Not Doing A Bad Job Is He...

Don't forget he had seldom played outside an experienced centre during his time at Leeds - so fair play to him - on Friday thought he would leap out of the stadium he was so high - positively Folau-like

not see the game against KR the week before the WCC??

Let's not get all carried away now. He has improved since coming into the team but could be finding himself out of the team when webb is back fit, although I feel he's done enough to earn a run ahead of watkins.

Do you have any more examples?

No that would be difficult as you've already covered every time he did that last season albeit he did it to good effect that once.

My thoughts also.

Where would you play him?

It wasnt my thread



I just thought I would give my view on Mr Smith. It was deleted anyway for some reason. Im assuming for what was said before and not what we said. Unless he gave McF or SS a call to tell 'em

Sorry about that (my mistake), it must have been your 'I normally find a way to defend referees to the hilt but.....' line that made me think it was yours.

Now? On the wing. I expect he'll move in field later in his career, one spot or probably too.

I really can't see Hall making a decent 2nd rower at all. Does not drive the ball in hard enough and often stops or braces himself for contact. Not a problem for a winger, fatal for a 2nd rower.

I'd rather work on his pace and keep a big sized winger.

You all remind me of Steve Mcnamara playing Topou in the front row.

If Menninga or Miles played for Leeds you'd have had the propping.

Agree with G1. Just because he's a reasonable sized lad doesn't mean he'll make a good second rower. He's a really good winger IMO, who's usually very solid, takes his chances and will only improve with time.

As alluded to by others, I don't think his size and comparative lack of speed are all that bad in a modern winger. If we've got someone, like Donald, with pace on the opposite flank I think the combination can be effective, a la Calderwood and Bai in 2004.

I'm still to be convinced he'll go on to have a long career with Leeds, but he's progressing nicely and can very, very easily prove me wrong.

One thing that has impressed me is his attitude. I remember him having a stinker away in Perpignan last July, where he made quite a few mistakes under the high ball, but he came back the next week in the cup semi and never really put a foot wrong, despite Saints peppering him with high balls early on.

Or for the older ones amongst us Atkinson and Smith.

Out and out winger for mine, he has the minimum speed required for a SL winger and has a good build, he's still young and will only get bigger and better, the few dropped balls are something that every young winger/full back goes through.

Thank you. For the first time in ages, I can point out I'm too young to remember those 2, before my time.

Well unfortunately you missed the best winger combination at the time,although if my fading memory is correct,Smithy was injury prone.

I think Ryan Hall still looks very raw. Technically he has a lot of improving to do, but he has a lot going for him and if he continues to improve and iron out the flaws in his game then he'll go on to great things I think. As I think has been well covered above, he can be error-prone at times, which is a common problem with young winners, but when he has those spells he never hides and always seems to pick himself up and bounce back that bit better for the experience. That as much as his obvious natural talent gives me reason to hope for him becoming a very good player. I certainly hope so, it isn't a poisition in which England are overly blessed at present.

Out of Interest when you say get bigger? I take it you are not talking about natural growth?

Also what do you define as young? The lad is 21, 22 this year. He might be inexperienced, but he isn't young in todays game. Watkins is young, but he is nearly 3 and a half years younger than Hall.

I think Tone was pretty bang on in his assement.

While aged 21 Hall you're right he is not likely to grow any taller but there's some Darwin natural survival phenomena the body goes through that helps provide a rapid response in a change to environment. There is a term for it but not sure of it.

Still relatively little experience in the top flight and he's not been playing week in week out so lasts season inital exposure followed by an extended run this season should see him become physically more addapted as well as mentally.

Juniors need time to find their feet and readjust when stepping up.

I'd second that and I'm old enough to be his mum!!!!

Nailed on to be an England winger at some point. Does'nt seem to make stupid mistakes like too many in the competition and has speed and strength. Very promising player.

also seems very modest and doesn't seem to show off (unlike some 'wingers' in other teams) when he scores a try- he does still make mistakes but I really think he's learnt a hell of alot this past year & IMO can only get better - glad we've signed him on a long term deal