Sod it go on then... You can technically argue that it's a European passport... How do you like them apples?

Apples? I prefer cake.

Good thread this.

Did someone mention cake?

Hauraki to Ull KR.

I heard cake was mentioned.

Hauraki won't go to Hull KR. Not enough cake.

So in summary Chris Heighington's mum is a cake? But not an English one?

That's correct. There's no such thing as an English cake. England doesn't have cake-baking powers. She was baked in an English cake tin though.

It's all a little confusing when the country is royally represented by a pink and yellow checked marzipan wrapped cake and a lemon infused walnut cake.

Ok.. Back on topic...

For me, this would be a fantastic signing. A real workhorse who is all quality. Lots of tackles, lots of drives, good offload game - a similar player to Paul Gallen, just not quite as aggressive.

Now, his best position is at loose, doing all this dirty work in the middle of the park - sticking him in the second row is an option, but I think you lose some attacking structure out wide (thats if we ever see any structure again) as he would prefer to work up the middle around the ruck, or if you make him play wide, you lose some of his workload...

Now, I'm going to throw something out there that will raise a few eyebrows and no doubt, alot of people will completely disagree...

If we were to sign him, and as part of this 're-building' stage we are looking to reduce the supposed player power, and change the culture (petulant, spoilt brats) within the current team, I would look to offload Sinfield. He would still be in great demand so we'd probably get a decent fee, and it would free up alot of cap space to then sign a quality, lead the team around the park scrum half or stand off to play alongside Mcguire, with Burrow also retained for interchange/rotation. This would massively change the dynamic of the team, but I get the feeling thats probably what is needed at the moment.

On Sinfield, some may see this as harsh, particularly with the fact he is our best ever captain, and is always a willing worker, trying to sort the team out. However, I honestly feel his best days are behind him. For all that he does put his all in, and clearly he is an inspirational captain, his skill levels are not great. Particularly this year his passing has been worse, watch and see his passes are often too high/low, slightly behind the man, complete hospital passes, or as has been seen many a time this year, Interceptions...

I want to be clear I'm not trying to make a scapegoat of Sinfield, he has been one of our most consitant performers, and even when the team is playing badly, he is always working his nuts off to try turn things around. BUt, if we are signing Heighington (or any other loose who plays this sort of game), they should be played at loose up the middle and bring in somebody else to organise (alongside Buderus if he stays). Thoughts?

NOT. A. CHANCE.

Please tell me you arent mistaking Paul Gallen for Paul Mellor....

Sinfield = Mr Rhinos. No Sinfield, No Leeds. Lose Sinfield then sign a class WORLD class half back to organise like he does. Id just rather keep Sinfield.

weststigersforum.com/news/club-n ... 1309258696 My mate who supports Wests has just sent me the above link.

weststigersforum.com/news/club-n ... 1309258696 My mate who supports Wests has just sent me the above link.

Not sure if this has already been written in this thread but he'd still count on the overseas as he's not a fed trained player. It makes no odds if he's got British passport or not.

That's why we are doing so well

Wouldn't he go on the second quota as 'non fed trained' then rather than the main one simply for Aussie / Kiwi? A lot being made about the fact he has passport but that may just be cross wired. What about likes of Simon Finnigan, born in UK but all his junior rugby played down under?

He would still count on the non-fed trained list but would not count on the overseas quota

No single player is bigger than the team - Not even somebody who has achieved as much as Sinfield. It may seem harsh, but there should be no room for sentiment. Cash in now whilst there will be plenty of takers. (This is all hypothetical by the way - based on the signing of a Heighinton style loose)

A class halfback would arguably organise better than Sinfield, plus would no doubt bring a better passing and kicking game. Add in a workhorse meter eating loose to help us get the go-forward to play on the front foot and I think we are in a much better position.

Sell Sinfield and bring in an Aussie loose and a half.

Great to see everyone is really embracing the franchise objectives.

There's at least 20+ players i'd release before even considering letting our Skipper go.
Sentiment doesn't even come into it he's one of our best if not THE best player in our squad and also the Best skipper the club has had in decades.

Whilst I agree in principle, he is one of our best, and he is our best skipper ever, there is always room for improvement and moving forward.

For all Sinfield is one of our most consistant performers, and he is invariably one of the ones digging in when the going gets tough, his skill levels (particularly passing and pass selection) have deteriorated over the past couple of years, and his go forward is not great.

For me, having a go forward loose to help get us on the front foot, Buderus/Mcshane and a more skillful creative 7 organising and leading us around the park would lead to us being a more fluent attacking force. This would also then give players such as Mcguire/Webb or our attacking backrowers more space to attack.

Please dont get me wrong, I think Sinfield has been, and still is a cracking player. But if we are looking at improving, I think there is yardage in a change in approach, which would involve big decisions like losing Sinfield. In reality, what does he bring to the team that a top class 7 couldnt?

Sinfield is here for the duration, so this is rather academic.

I agree with the gist of Superted's point though. Leeds without Sinfield would necessitate a very different playing style, and would certainly provide a breath of fresh air. But I suspect what is really needed is for the rest of the team to pull their weight more so Sinfield doesn't feel he has to run everything. He is already captain, goal kicker and the main tactical kicker - and on top of that a high work rate in defence and a role as #1 playmaker with McGuire injured is a hell of a lot for one player to do.

[urlhttp://youtu.be/CV-KJw-CWM8[/url

Tell you what - have a look at that highlights package above and tell me that a player with that sort of footwork and ability to pick a line couldn't function in the same kind of role that the likes of JJB and Ablett are currently fulfilling.

He's a second rower any day of the week, irrespective of the number on his back.