It could even rival that game in the early 2000's when we beat Hudds 52-46 or something around that

Still to be convinced. From what I have seen of Saints this season just havn't displayed a major attacking threat within your own half. Warrington can, Wigan can, Leeds showed against Hull/Bradford and Salford that they can - There is only one way to find out and that is this Saturday.



I agree with IA, Leeds are superior for pace. Watkins imo looks like the fastest player in SL this year - what unbelievable pace shown on many occasions against Salford. Burrow - enough said. Webb again showed awesome pace many times this season. Jay Pitts, wow he is fast! - I replayed a clip from Salford game 10 times to double check it was him. Senior can still eat up the ground and since when was Hall not that quick?...how many length of the fielders have seen Hall do in his short career? Ian Kirke, Cas away last season, enough said. Danny Buderus, no slug out of dummy half, granted not as fast as roby but still got the snap out of dummy half. Then the back rowers, JJB and Hauraki hit the ball fast and are certainly no 'Solomona's' in the back row department.



Its just what both teams need imo. After a much improved performance against Salford I want to see Leeds test themselves against a team like Saints albeit a slightly weakened one.

Exactly !

Two (unfortuately) equally matched sides

Oh. Who said anything about attacking threats within our own half? You were talking about pace! If you'd just said about attacking threats then obviously, we're sheeite. We only do long range tries now. So long, I'm still waiting for them!


It bloody isn't, you know. We need Wakefield every week.

I also said Saints dont appear to have the ability to strike anywhere on the pitch like Leeds can.



I think it is what you need, after losing to Quins, a win against Leeds will boost your confidence.

Your hope is that Leeds play suicide rugby in their own 30 and cough the ball up. From deep I will watch comfortably knowing Saints can't score


But when Saints are camped on our line after some belle*d has offloaded in his own 30, it won't be happy viewing.

More likely to be the result of a penalty awarded against us for not standing square at the ptb.

Struggling to summon enough energy or interest in this game on Saturday, which several seasons ago would have been a certainty. Two clubs both experiencing a gradual but steady decline over the past 3 or 4 seasons and now find themselves in a period of transition and hoping for the best. Two clubs who are still hanging on as challengers but no longer guaranteed a trip to Old Trafford.

A very reasonable summary there Keith.

Saints to go with Gaskell and Wheeler in the halfs due to Eastmonds suspension?

Scott Moore?

Hope not.

We may as well go with Gaskell and Wheeler. Or perhaps we should just draw straws for the fans and see who fancies having a go?

You mean that half back partnership won't be as fierce as it looks?

Does it look fierce?

I'm scared, don't think I'm going to go now

We may have been crap, but its been flamboyant crap!



You'll all be playing this way next season!.......

He'd be my choice; Moore and Gaskell.

I think you lot will be impressed with Gaskell. Has some errors in him but very willing to take on the line and try something different, nice rangy running style that sees him ghost past players. Very good player to watch.

I rate Wheeler VERY highly, but he has enough on his plate trying to string 2 games together without being thrown in at 7 when he's earmarked as a centre. We can't afford one of our halves to break down mid-game, so I'd go with the more solid Moore. Plus Moore has a long kicking game of sorts; Gaskell to bring the threat ball in hand.

If Wheeler is fit, he'd be in the centres in my team.

Fierce Girlfriend!

In a truly competitive league (regardless of quality), should anyone be "guaranteed" a trip to Old Trafford, unless it's to watch?

I'd say the SC is doing it's job, and it's now upto the coaches at the different clubs to do theirs and raise the standard.

Leeds 19: Webb, Smith, Senior, Hall, Burrow, Buderus, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Lauitiiti, Cross, Kirke, Burgess, Watkins, Hauraki, Clarkson, Pitts, McShane, Hardaker.

Webb
Watkins
Ablett
Senior
Hall
Sinfield
Burrow
Cross
Buderus
Kirke
Lauitiiti
Jones-Buchanan
Clarkson

McShane
Burgess
Pitts
Hauraki

From that squad its Smith and Hardaker to drop out for me, shocked that Singleton isnt included as I thought he did well last week, must mean that Burgess will be back, reason for me omitting Smith is because he said he wont be back this week. I would have had Singleton in for McShane.

Saints 19: Wellens, Gardner, Shenton, Meli, Perry, Roby, Graham, Puletua, Flannery, Moore, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Clough, Wheeler, Ashurst, Dixon, Lomax, Magennis, Foster, Gaskell.

Saints website has LMS and TP as serious doubts for the weekend too, although not sure how much can be read into that.

Personally, I think JJB's performances at prop this season have been better than any of his other performances for last 12 months.

I think Prop suits the angles he runs and his running style.

I would have him ahead of Kirke at prop.

Kirke to bench, JJB to prop, Hauraki to start?

Was on a Rhinos facebook page that BJB is out for 16 weeks, is this b0llax or does anyone know otherwise?

Sad, maybe... but did anyone else imagine William Shatner talking into his intercom when reading that?

unfortunatley it is true. gutted for him.