Was it any more contributory than Senior's lack of defensive ability against Joel Tomkins in the last few minutes for example, when part time centre Tomkins made lots of ground against the most experienced centre in the competition? After all Wigan scored tries in the sets after both of Tomkins breaks down the channel Senior was defending in.

To try and lay the blame for the draw at the door of Buderus is a little unfair given the errors that others made in the last 10 to 15 minutes. If we had taken the chances we had in the first half we would have been out of sight and there would have been no need for anyone to give the late penalty which Sam Tomkins converted to level the scores.

Still don't let the facts get in the way of your Buderus bashing agenda. Bet Diskin wouldn't have given those last two penalties away...

People claim I have an agenda yet all I have done is make statements about the fact that it was Buderus's penalty that handed the draw to Wigan. Go to all the lengths you wish to lay the blame elsewhere but we'd stopped the break on the line and any defensive frailty by Senior at that stage had cost us nothing more than field position.

Why do Buderus's fanboys get their panties in a twist over this? It happened. I suspect it's others with an agenda to refuse to see anything other than glowing praise written about their hero.

I even tried to praise the guy by pointing out how happy I was to see him pick up his first man of the match award (to my recollection) in his three season's with us. It's about time he started being one of our most dominant players given his reputation (even though I thought JJB was more deserving and can't argue with Highbury's call for Ablett either).

You're a right wind up merchant

Just watched the game again and whilst some might wish to claim Buderus last second penalty was a hero saving us a point (it wasn't, we had players on the line and the two other tacklers managed to peel off) I've still seen no explanation for his 77th minute penalty that gave Wigan the position for their final try. What was he doing then?

Oh, and having watched the game back I agree with Highbury about Ablett but JJB was everywhere.

The problem is Gareth you have done what you hate being done to you - i.e. taking isolated incidents and using them in a critic on player. Whenever this is done on some players, one in particular, you will defend him to the end as if errors of this nature are acceptable for some players but not for others especially Buderus.

It will interesting to see the stats from the game and his overall contribution in terms of tackles made/missed metres gained etc.

I still go back to my original point you dislike him because he displaced a player who fits exactly your idea of what you admire in a player. Buderus on the other hand is the antithesis of that.

When you look for a man of the match performance - I would offer the semi last year against Saints? Buderus is player who plays at a consistently high standard, for me he is as good if not better than any nine in the comp and an asset to the side.

G1, it's a shame that you have this blinkered view of Buderus in a Leeds shirt, it's really affecting your appreciation of one of the best players of our generation. Remember the bloke you quoted the other week telling his son that he should watch Sinfield as he only had a few years left, and he was a living legend? Well the same goes for Buderus.

Yes, I remember reading that with a tear in my eye....

Anyone know how Disco is actually doing over at Odsal? Has he raised his game to a Buderus level yet, or is his property developing getting in the way?

We really don't want Gledhill on here bitchin' about Garry doing the dirty on them again, and selling them a pig in a poke!

What can also be argued is that had we had a left centre who had half a brain cell and was still up to super league, then Buderus would not have been put in that position in the first place.

Except for when he sneaked in a little too much and left a gap a little too wide for Prescott for Wigan's last try!!

Let's hope Lockyer scores a hat-trick in his last match then goes straight to the retirement home. Wouldn't want him been remembered as sh[ii[/it!

I seem to remember that Buderus had made the tackle before and was possibly at marker tackle and so not his fault for the try.

Buderus was outstanding in an 80 minute display. He was still making tackles in the last 10 minutes, when others went missing, including that last one on the line. I wouldn't be suprised if he made 10 more tackles and more metres than Bailey. He was MOM with Sinfield and JJB close behind.

I think he meant JJB???

Probably explains why Cala's point appears to concern Jones-Buchanan's positioning rather than Buderus' or at least that was my reading of the comment initially.

I'm no Buderus sycophant but I'm pretty sure that he'll go down as a legend of the game, irrespective of his time at Leeds. Captaining NSW & Australia, NRL GF wins, Dally M winner... Isn't he the last series winning NSW captain? Along with Andrew Johns at Newcastle he'll be remembered in the same way most Leeds fans will remember Sinfield and McGuire, like it or not.

FWIW I thought Buderus (and others) really failed to deliver for the team last year, especially in the CC final and the play-offs. But I'm happy enough that he's playing well for us again against tougher opposition and see no reason to dwell on the negatives while this continues... I think it's fair to say that the likes of Webb, Sinfield, McGuire and Buderus are all pivotal for Leeds, but from time to time will make errors and go through periods of poor form.

Yes you are right. Sorry Cala.

JJB made an outstainding contribution to the game but where were the other defenders?

That was the set that followed Mr Buderus's penalty for holding on in the 77th minute. Shame the team was put in a position to defend that extra set.

I'd agree entirely with all of this. I'll I've ever tried to do is make an unbiased rational appraisal of Buderus's displays FOR LEEDS.

His influence ON LEEDS in the 3 season's he has been here have been greatly underwhelming considering that he is a legend in the game. Some appear to be unable to recognise that because of his reputation.

I've said I thought he had an excellent game but you cannot ignore just how very costly his mistakes/penalties were. My issue is not with Buderus, it's with the completely unwarranted adulation he receives which is in disproportion to what he has done FOR LEEDS. Ask yourself this, If Watkins, Burrow or Sinfield had conceded those penalties at the end of the game what would your reaction be today, and the reaction of many others?

Who says I dislike him? He's a great player. I just think overall he's been a great disappointment AT LEEDS.

Did he get the MOM award that day? I think Senior was the outstanding player that day, followed by Webb and Buderus.

Not for me he isn't. Some way behind what Monaghan and Roby bring to their teams, and that is the gripe. He should be, unarguably, the best 9 in the comp. Some admire him as if he is, but he isn't.

What view is that?

What memories will you take from Buderus's time at Leeds?

When I look back fondly at the successes Leeds have enjoyed I picture Sinfield hosting the trophies, Iestyn hoisting te Challenge Cup, Rivett's four tries at Wembley, John Holmes horizontal drop goal at Wembley, the young local lads walking away from Old Trafford with the Harry Sunderland in their mits following epic battles with Saints.

Where will Buderus Leeds career fit into your misty eyed memories?

Ah man, I'd have to disagree G1.

Buderus is easily one of (if not the) best 9s in the comp.

I understand your point about what Roby & Monaghan bring to their respective teams, and I'd tend to agree they do seem to bring more, but I'd suggest that's because of the way the teams play. Saints in particular are very 9 orientated. Probably because they had Cunningham for so long. They use the hooker as the main player maker, the man that controls everything from the middle of the park, so they're bound to "bring more to the team" because they're the one bringing everything. Sinfield seems to do that role no matter where you pick him. I think Buderus is happy to let him, then get involved (to great effect!) as and when is needed, instead of running the show from start to finish.

But putting accusations of agendas aside. Do you not believe that it is more than just a coincidence that Buderus is looking so good this season compared to previous, when he is getting proper game time, and not having to share with someone for the sake of it?

Possibly. Having said that he has been sharing game time with McShane recently and he could have used a longer rest period Friday because he was absolutely blowing out of his arris for those last 15 mins (he wasn't alone) and his fatigue was probably the reason for those late penalties.

Can he do 80 mins a week over the long season?

Spot on.


From twitter;




I avoided the temptation to reply.

Prescott went over on what would have been the seventh tackle of that sequence had the penalty not been conceded by Buderus. Such small margins.



I have always had a reasonable expectation of what Buderus would bring based on the type of player he is and always appeared to be while playing in the NRL.

Organising, service and options taken from dummy half are all still top quality. Defensively strong hitting well above his weight, enthusiastic on kick chase while often leading it. Ability to play long minutes.

What he lacks at Leeds is a player of the quality of Andrew Johns at 1st receiver but that's hardly his fault.

His reading of the game (and where Leeds lost control of it) immediately after the final whistle was precise and to the point and 100% accurate IMO.

Quite.

3 missed tackles Friday. I actually think his defence has slipped from it's usually high standards this season. perhaps because he's being asked to play longer spells.
Not on Friday's evidence.
Nor Leeds fault. Not every club has Andrew Johns at 7. Still, it's another excuse to add to a long list of them.
Indeed. He spoke about taking the game down the wrong channel. Isn't part of that down to him. I'd hardly expect him come out and say "Jeez I was flagging out there and couldn't get off the tackler before the Prescott try or the Tomkins penalty". I'd have a bit more respect for him if he had mind.