It was obvious Buderus would leave replacement acquired or not. What is also clear is that when it comes to signing players, the management of Leeds has an interesting definiton of "replacements"

There might be less of a stuff-up than some people are assuming. The season has only just started. Burrow by his own admission wants to start games (understandably). BM was probably looking at ways to improve things, and playing around with 9 at the start of the season is actually completely understandable given Buderus' departure. Putting Burrow in at starting hooker may not work, but if it doesn't it won't last - we'll see him off the bench again.

good luck for this weeks game. hope you don t lose by more than 50.


come on manly.

Leeds may as well list 16 players before kick-off on Friday night.

In 160 minutes of rugby one 'sub' has played little over 10 minutes between halfs.

Hmmmmm.

I'm very happy with my GF, but if Katy Perry confessed her undying love for me I think I'd be interested

People suggesting Sinfield to 9 need their heads looking at. Over the last 12 years or so everything Leeds have done has involved Sinfield being the central man controlling the game from 1st receiver. If Sinfield moves anywhere it should be back to 13, allowing him to defend in the middle.

If it were me I'd play McShane at 9 with Burrow on the bench though.

And if Katy Perry came seriously calling you might find it difficult living with the decision if you turned her down

Think most if not all agree Sinfield to LF and McShane given a chance as starting hooker.

The suggestions to move Sinfield to hooker are more a reflection of how everybody ? considers Burrow starting there such a crazy idea....and if McDermott has no faith in McShane it might be a better solution than using our super sub there.

It would also answer the being predictable criticism

My thoughts entirely considering Hood is out injured too.

Burrow playing at 9 was not the reason for our defeat at Wigan. He played the full 80 with high energy and was our most creative attacker. He (or McShane) will not replace Buderus with the same style of play and we will have to adapt to a different style whoever we now play at hooker.

With the reduced number of interchanges it is likely that not all bench players will be used for every game with coaches preferring to keep on the field their most effective 13. This will mean that the more mobile back row forwards with greater stamina like JJB & Ablett will become even more important than the less mobile props.

No one can argue with Burrow's ability to be " busy " ....but " creative " ??
He is totally dependent on ducking under or squeezing past a tackle. It can be devastating especially against TIRED forwards....but " creative " is stretching it somewhat.

No one can argue with Burrow's ability to be " busy " ....but " creative " ??
He is totally dependent on ducking under or squeezing past a tackle. It can be devastating especially against TIRED forwards....but " creative " is stretching it somewhat.

Nantwich Burrow has plenty of "assists" to his name and only look back to the GF for evidence of his creativity so to question this is way OOT and blind to what he can/has do/done to create trys.

I think putting McShane in on Friday could be a recipe for disaster seen as though Brian Mc hasn't shown any faith in him what so ever during the 2 games leading up to it.

He should of been given some game time on Saturday - Why has wasn't for me is confusing.

But who else have we got to play there at the moment?

Not at all .... I like Burrow's attitude, skill and devastating pace once he's broken the line. However, I stand by my contradiction to his purported "creativity" .... Burrow is entirely predictable but his abilities can still make effective outcomes. There is a difference.

Yes he is creative and has made a couple of try assists in the 2 games so far including a nice pass for our only try at Wigan. He was constantly trying to be creative and was possibly the greatest threat to a very good Wigan defence. I know they have very different styles but I am not sure quite what McShane could have added had he been on instead of Burrow.

So are you saying that McShane is more creative than Burrow?

I'd say McShane is more creative in the hooking position than Burrow is in the hooking position, Burrow is more creative as a scrum-half. Which begs last week's big question being aired once again - why is coach McDermott selecting Burrow as the starting hooker?

I'm hoping you guys do the business. You need to be better disciplined than against Wigan and keep up the pace like you did for spells in the 2nd half at the DW, quick runs from dummy half and be more clinical when you get field position and a better kicking game. Also posession was a big factor to the result Saturday I know Albert crippled you for an hour on Saturday but to be fair most of them were pens. I'm rooting for you.... COME ON ENGLAND !!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you. Could NOT have put it better myself. McShane has a useful short kicking game for a start. He is also built more like a forward and tough enough to bustle a forward or two out of the way close to the line after a feign to pass.

Brian mac says chances of lee smith being fit for Friday are slim. However kallum Watkins should be fit https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/georgeyboy

Brian mac says chances of lee smith being fit for Friday are slim. However kallum Watkins should be fit https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/georgeyboy

Quote ="bazzos90"Brian mac says chances of lee smith being fit for Friday are slim. However kallum Watkins should be fit https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/georgeyboy'" So can we also look forward to BJB's 2012 debut I wonder ( surely he won't shoe-horn Kirke in somehow )

Quote ="bazzos90"Brian mac says chances of lee smith being fit for Friday are slim. However kallum Watkins should be fit https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/georgeyboy'" So can we also look forward to BJB's 2012 debut I wonder ( surely he won't shoe-horn Kirke in somehow )

Burrow is a fantastic scrum half and the most dangerous player on our books. He's been in far better form, creatively, than McGuire for quite some time now.

People should recall that Burrow two crackerjack games at the end of last season, Warrington away and the Grand Final, did NOT come at hooker. Buderus played the full 80 in both those games.

It's way beyond time Burrow was put at scrum half from the start on a regular basis. If Sinfield has to be 6 then McGuire should wait for an injury for his chance (though I'd prefer Sinfield at 13).

I assume coach McDermott was consulted when Buderus was allow to renege on the final year of his deal and that he was happy with the players we had? It's time to urinate or get off the pot with McShane. The coaches reluctance to give him any meaningful game time is hindering his and the team's progression.

My only hope is he think Hood is the real deal and the answer and the current tactic is just a stop gap until Hood is fit.

It's something that needs deciding.

Leaving McShane hanging around without being played is a weird type of torture for a player.

Playing 10 mins between halfs against KR, then 'sub not used' against Wigan, doesn't send a positive message about what 'Leeds Rhinos' think of Paul McShanes talents.

With the last 20 mins to go with Wigan I thought 'it will be nice to see him get a run out now the games gone' it didn't happen. For what benefit?

May as well run out with 16 men on Friday.

16 men and two fewer substitutions than season's past.