I liked what I saw from ward in the junior games I have seen him in and didn't look too bad in the first team last year.

It's Stevie Ward for me who needs to have a big year. Not lived up to the hype and talent he had shown in Juniors. Hopefully a good pre season and takes his chance this year

Personally in the games they had I thought Briscoe looked a better option at hooker than Ward. But he isn't even a hooker.

I thought you might have been more happy with the move. Appears to be giving the youth a go, I am more happy with this approach than bringing in two more average joes to replace like for like with bailey and kirke, again just blocking the progress of the youngsters. There is also the forgotten man Yates this season as well

I'd forgotten about Briscoe but he was impressive when I saw him play. It's his last year of his contract I think

People wanted rid of Bailey and Kirke and were wanting to see the likes of Singleton and Mulhern get their places and game time instead.

Bailey and Kirke then depart opening the doors for the likes of Singleton and Mulhern and people still complain.

Classic SouthStander.

yet he signed a two year deal

i was careful to use the word "decent" ...

Actually i did forget about Yates....but even so (although i am glad to see the end of the 2 deadwoods blocking the potential progress of the promising young uns ) to be ever more reliant on Peacock and Kylie who are both much closer to 40 than 30 seems very shortsighted.

Even more so when Kylie actually announced his 'retirement' in 2013?

You word the above as if "people" are a single entity with a single opinion.

"People" have different opinions to one another and have a right to air those opinions and they often do - that's classic Southstander.

In reality thought we have 3 very good young prospects in the prop position, Yates and unknown prospect. We have lost IMO two squad filler props and replaced them with cuthbertson who on the face of it looks a good signing.

Starting props,

JP and cuthbertson no worries with either

kylie and Singleton as back up

Then the other 3 hungry and hopefully given a shot.

I don't class being part of rumours as doing business. I have seen zero evidence that we have actually tried to sign anyone.

As for timing, surely it's the quality of player that determines whether it's "whipping boy" business? Not when that business happens.

If (and I don't believe it is more than idle rumour until I see any credible evidence) we signed Luke Burgess tomorrow, that business is no better or worse done now than 3 months ago.

just been on club site and on the players profiles have all been changed and only thing missing is the numbers. why change the page www.therhinos.co.uk/rugby/matchc ... earchname=

just been on club site and on the players profiles have all been changed and only thing missing is the numbers. why change the page www.therhinos.co.uk/rugby/matchc ... earchname=

BM hasn't shown a great deal of faith in the younger squad props when its come to big games - sometimes not picking them and other times giving them little or no game time even when picked. Taking away the easy picks of Kirke and Bailey will force him to give a number of these lads a decent run. Then we'll see how good they are.

Based on past history I'd reckon only one of the list of young wannabees will be anywhere near top flight. Singleton for example just looks like Luke Ambler Mk 2, and needs to step up mightily to show he's better than that.

The real issue in terms of recruitment is for 2016. If Leeds want even one ready-made class prop for then GH had better be looking now.

Completely taken out of context!
That's all well and good if we aren't relying on JP & Kylie to continue to be cornerstones of a Pack that fizzled out with a whimper and struggled against younger and bigger packs on plenty of occasions last year!
Cuthbertson signing is a bonus but the very fact we chased Mossop shows GH and the Coach also see a need to strengthen just a pity they left it so long.
Whilst there were calls for the younger lads to get minutes especially in place of Kirke it was also pretty clear it was as rotated squad players.
JP may reproduce his usual age defying form but it was clear Kylie once again waned in his effectiveness of course "stats" may not show that but anyone who watched the games could see it!
Now unless we manage to get someone else in its looking very unlikely we will make the top 4 which this year is pretty much vital to stand a chance of making OT yet we are told this is the greatest squad ever and tomorrow in the YEP GH is "explaining" why this season we are backing youth!
The FACT remains he has got the recruitment all wrong and come 2016 we will be further behind and having to replace even more Club Legends!
One other thing about this "backing the Youth" approach does the Coach have the tools to actually Coach them to their best and play them in their best positions?
Time will tell i suppose but this squad as is isnt good enough for the top 4.

Squad announced only 24 named number 25 vacant www.therhinos.co.uk/m/news/24200.php

Squad announced only 24 named number 25 vacant www.therhinos.co.uk/m/news/24200.php

Looking like Minns ,L.Briscoe ,Mulhern ,Tonks and Baldwinson will be loaned out which is good IF they are getting gametime.
Big year for Yates IF the Coach picks him and doesn't expect big minutes from JP i wouldn't start Kylie either but 1 or 2 injuries and we are in deep dung imo.

Corcerns me that none of them are eligible for the U19s and haven't been given squad numbers where-as Minchella and Ward are able to play for U19s still.

Todays YEP: [iHetherington confirmed Rhinos were interested in Mossop – who spent this year at Parramatta Eels – before he opted to rejoin Wigan Warriors.

The ex-England prop is understood to have had a medical at Leeds last week, but was deterred by the prospect of travelling from his home in Wigan.[/i





Pre-season has started and GH has attempted to sign a replacement for Bailey/Kirke and failed. We're in the whipping boy category. Now the 'faith in youth' card is been played.

I would not be holding out a lot of hope for Yates, he is no Chris Hill - pretty average in a lower grade so how he is expected to step up to this level is puzzling. What is the betting that both JP and Kylie re-sign for next season?

i would like the club to sign scott taylor to bolster our front row
hull fc his supposed destination are supposedly in a bit of a mess money wise with having to pay willie manu's outstanding contract money money up,so there could be a chance for us here hopefully to bring him in

A period of transition ,you bet it is

1-18 looks strong a worry after that. Weakest squad we have had for over ten years

That squad wont help shift season tickets.

Must have plenty of cap space .Watch for new contracts for the legends too with this situation

"Faith in youth".

Either couldn't find anyone of sufficient quality, or weren't willing to pay the money they wanted more like.

Quite how "this year's squad is more exciting than last year's" works, only Hetherington knows. Give him credit, he's got the bravado of a snake oil salesman.

Just had it confirmed that a few youngsters are going to Featherstone on loan, including Alex Foster.