Why?

Ablett's been one of our better players over the past few weeks, and arguably our most deadly player from 10m out.

He has showed no signs of needing a a whole weekend off.

Whilst Roby is the ref. James Child is one of the TJ's

Watch your mouth Zak!

Let's hope Chlid remembers his effing flag.

Ablett looked well out of sorts last week at Salford, his performance level has dropped over recent weeks. Whether that is a form or a fatigue thing who knows?

He's been playing ok the last few weeks and has scored some unlikely tries but to my eyes his performances have been a bit down on where they were earlier in the season. He's had a lot of rugby this year and could be a bit sharper. If there's one player who looks like he'll benefit from a week off it's him.

Wasn't he MOM against Cas?

either way, i would play pretty much a full team.8 days rest until the semi is plenty of time to recover.

Let`s hope he doesn`t bring his pink flag

He has been out stand out forward this season but he and JP looked tired last week and we need him and JP fresh for the semi. So that is why!

Ablett got a two week breather after kicking at Monaghan's head and he also recently missed the Wakey game so he's missed a few of the most recent games.

Sometimes a quiet game can just be as straight forward as an off day, it doesn't always have to be an indicator of a player being tired and needing a rest.

Have to disagree here. Ablett has been excellent but JP has not just been our stand out forward, he has been Superleague's standout forward.

Just check his stats:
Top metre maker in the competition, 9th highest tackler, 2nd best marker tackler, 3rd best off-loader.

As for last week; only JJB and Josh Walters came anywhere near JP's 36 tackles, only Rob Burrow came anywhere near his 146 metres and only Kallum matched his 3 offloads.

I agree, however that he did look tired. FWIW I think he always looks tired.

Yes you are quite right. JP is so consistently good that I was taking him for granted. So apart from JP, Ablett has put in consistent quality performances (for JP read Romans as in "what have the Romans done for us)"

Although we need a strong team out against Bradford I would not want to go into the semi without JP or Ablett.

I'd rest one of Peacock and Leuluai, probably Peacock. Simply because there might not be another opportunity to. There's only the Bradford & London games left in the season that you would class as "easier" games. I think we've got to take the opportunity to rest Peacock or Leuluai in at least one of them.

Leuluai has only just come back from injury so doesn't need resting. If Bailey and Delaney are fit you could look at resting Peacock.

Peacock and Ablett both rested as well as Watkins and Hall. Moon injured. Squad in full;

Zak Hardaker
Ben Jones-Bishop
Danny McGuire
Rob Burrow
Kylie Leuluai
Paul Aiton
Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Stevie Ward
Brett Delaney
Ryan Bailey
Ian Kirke
Mitch Achurch
Tom Briscoe
Liam Sutcliffe
Brad Singleton
Elliot Minchella
Josh Walters
Robbie Ward
Ash Handley

Says Peacock (back) and Ablett (elbow) are the reasons they miss out.

I'd go

Hardaker
Briscoe (probably see him moved over to the left wing though)
Handley
Sutcliffe
BJB
McGuire
Burrow
Leuluai
Aiton
Singleton
JJB
Walters
Delaney

R.Ward
Bailey
Kirke
Achurch

Handley and Sutcliffe in the centres then, presumably? Unless the ill-fated experiment with trying to turn Ward into one is to continue.

Could always put Kirke at centre.


Didn`t he start off there when in he was at York?
Then again maybe not.
Stick to Sutcliffe and Handley.

Surprised we're resting so many backs. If the 19 stays the same:

Hardaker/BJB

Briscoe
Sutcliffe
Hardaker/BJB
Handley

McGuire
Burrow

Leuluai
Aiton
Singleton
Delaney
Achurch
JJB

Kirke
Bailey
S.Ward
Walters

Thought Handley was a fullback/winger? If he's ok at centre then yes put him there with BJB on the wing so Zak can stay fullback.

1. Hardaker
2. Jones-Bishop
15. Delaney
28. Walters
20. Briscoe
6. McGuire
7. Burrow
8. Leuluai
9. Aiton
17. Kirke
11. Jones-Buchanan
19. Achurch
21. Sutcliffe

14. Ward S
16. Bailey
23. Singleton
26. Minchella

Anyone else have a sinking feeling that this could backfire on us?
It smacks of Tony Smith-like tinkering, it cost us then, it's cost the wolves too this season.
Watkins has looked below par though recently.
I'd put Zak in the centres with Handley at full back.

It could well backfire, but then again I thought that if we go full strength then too many minds might be on next week and not getting injured and not properly focused so it could've gone wrong that way too.

As I mentioned last week, whilst the starting 13 for the CC Semi looks fairly certain the bench spots are still up for grabs IMO. Hopefully we'll see the likes of those who are fighting for them (Bailey, Kirke, Singleton, Walters, Achurch, Ward, Sutcliffe) play with an intent to make sure they get a gig vs Wire.

I think we should line up like this:

Kear, Williams, Arundel, Blythe, Henry, Gaskell, Gale, Manuokafoa, O'Brien, Sidlow, Olbison, Pitts, Donaldson.
Addy, Mellor, Ferguson, Fakir.
Baldwinson and Conroy to miss out.

This is essentially the derby that doesn't matter, I did get a bit giddy after beating Wigan and tip Bradford to win by two - and now seeing the squads I'm that little bit more hopeful. But honestly, I think *ahem* home advantage will see you through this one. The couple of extra days may also make a difference as to how many.

I'm a little worried looking at that team really. There are a lot of vital cogs missing from that squad. You could argue that 4 of our 6 most influential players are missing. Time for others to make a name for themselves

Mac has only rested Watkins and Hall the other absentees are injured.

Bit of a risk to play Handley at centre for his debut. I would play him on the left wing (I think his usual spot in the U/19s) and play Briscoe at left centre and Sutcliffe at right centre with BJB on the right wing. Achurch has experience in the backs so could provide cover. So this would mean only Briscoe and Sutcliffe to play out of position but both have played recently and should be up to speed. Although Sutcliffe didn't impress on his previous outing at centre IMO he looks at his best running out wide on the right. Briscoe has experience for Hull at left centre and should be solid.

Robbie Ward and Minchella to drop out.

Needs the established players to step up and the returning injured to stake a claim for a regular place.