Don't dissagree with the sentiment, but he is quite lucky to be available for selection each week, considering he is arguably the most petulant, disrespectful player around at the moment. And that's saying something, with the likes of Tomkins around. On performance levels Yes, on attitude No.



This is the bit I dissagree with. Who gives a toss what the players want. The aim should be to have the players in a good enough condition to challenge for the trophies. That isn't going to happen if we continue to pick the same players each week. Leigh is a pish easy tie, and no amount of paranoia from fans worried about losing is going to change that. Every club left in the comp would have loved to have had this tie, and you can bet your life that the likes of Saints, Wigan, Huddersfield, Catalans, Warrington, would have taken the opportunity in a shot to rest players. We could easily go with playing the full under 20's team, but there is no nead to do that. Even by resting 8 or 9 players, the majority of the team would still be experienced grand final winning players, and more than capable of beating a championship side.

I think that a few of the apck could have a rest. Bailey in for Peacock, Ward in for Sinfield and maybe rest Delaney. Nothing drastic, but keeps things fresh

Theres nothing like a huge dose of disrespect is there

It's not about disrespect mate. My apologies if your a little touchy in that regards. It's about realism.

The best side in the championship by a million miles is Fev, and playing out of their skins, they beat a poor Castelford side and pushed a Wigan side that did take the step of resting a lot of players, although never really looked like beating them.

It is therefore very realistic to assume that playing a side way behind Fev, and Leeds been better by miles than Cas and probably edging Wigan, that it isn't really the potential banana skin that some would have you believe.

Leigh could easily become a banana skin if Leeds don't treat them with all due respect.

[url=http://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/19272.phpThe team is:[/url

The 19 man squad in full is:
1. Brent Webb
2. Ben Jones-Bishop
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Zak Hardaker
5. Ryan Hall
6. Danny McGuire
7. Rob Burrow
8. Kylie Leuluai
9. Paul McShane
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12. Carl Ablett
13. Kevin Sinfield
14. Lee Smith
16. Ryan Bailey
17. Ian Kirke
18. Chris Clarkson
19. Weller Hauraki
21. Richard Moore
31. Shaun Lunt

This fev being the team that has shipped 60points in each of their last 2 home games against fax and sheffield. While only friendlies Leigh easily beat Wigan U20s and an almost full strength Salford. Yes its the tie everyone wanted but they will not roll over

What do you call respect? Doesn't every player treat their oppossion with respect?

There is no difference in respect at all in Leeds picking a full strength 17 (fitness permitting), and picking a 17 with eight or nine of the first choice rested, no difference at all.

Leeds have a large squad, with a lot of players with winners medals. Why would it be direspectful to rest one international for another?

Meant to add....now that is respect

from the 19, I'd hope for

14. Smith
2. Jones-Bishop
3. Watkins
4. Hardaker
5. Hall
6. McGuire
7. Burrow
8. Leuluai
31. Lunt
16. Bailey
11. Jones-Buchanan
12. Ablett
13. Sinfield

17. Kirke
18. Clarkson
19. Hauraki
21. Moore

Having watched on Rhinos TV McShane's efforts for the under 20s vs Hull, I think he's earned a crack at Leigh this week.
I would also have liked to see Chisholm in the squad to see him in 1st team action but I'm delighted that JP has been given a well-earned break along with Delaney.

Not saying a weakened side wouldn't beat us they probably would, but Fev at this moment in time are not the best side in the championship it's Halifax who are top, Fev are 6th and Leigh are 4th and also Fax and Sheffield have both put 60 points on them in the last couple of weeks, and we Leigh have beat Fax twice and Sheffield in the last few weeks, i know it means nothing but don't take us to lightly.

Hope it's a decent game and you don't run away with it, have a safe journey over, and good luck for the season.

I could not agree more Fev are not the best team in the Championship. Dont be complacent its what happens in the 80 mins on Friday and not any game you have played before and remember Catalans were stronger last year than you are now and we gave them a tough test.

How exactly have you worked that one out?

I think what he was trying to say that at the time we played them they were the form team, having just beaten Warrington and Wigan, not that they are or were a better team than Leeds, think that's what he meant anyway.

Pish easy tie eh? On paper you'd say so yes. Fev best team by a million miles?! on their own pitch they normally are but not this year, and, unlike the super league, we have a highly competitive league where top can beat bottom, and there is no best team in the league, i currently make it as there are six of of us equally good/poor as each other (however you may see it). Obviously my head tells me we're in for a hammering, but if i didn't have that little ounce of belief, id stay sat at home watching the BMX racing sky has on instead of us. If all goes to plan, i go leeds with 24. If we score first and it's lashing down, loads of mistakes either side, then who knows? I doubt a win, but i'd bet my bottom dollar that the leigh lot are after dishing out a scare at least!

Delaney isnt rested, they ran out of tape to keep him going. Hopefully the fact it listed JP as injured with his knee (which he did seem to knock) is only precautionary,

Here's hoping for a competitive game

Last years team when we played Cats was far better than this years, we wont hold the Leeds pack like we did the Cats one.
McGuire has done a great tweet with us, see website, and the respect your team selection shows is admirable.
Fev have advantage of that pitch, the LSV suits open RL and does not give us an advantage indeed it will suit Leeds.
Please travel in numbers we do neeed the income and have a safe and enjoyable evening.

In the first instance I'd call the initial Leeds 19 man squad as respecting their opponents in an away quarter-final tie.

I'd probably also stay clear of any comments like -

All we hope is for a competitive game and judging by their unwillingness to tackle in our 34-32 win at Sheffield they all had one eye on Fridays game. Heres hoping our 110% will be good enough to keep it respectable and even scare you a little early on

I would like nothing more than a good game as without a doubt the championship is improving and above all else it wouldnt do Leeds any good to have an easy game with the teams we have coming up.

The whole deaw is good for Leeds and good for the game with a number of the "favourites going to be knocked out.

Clarkson and Kirke to miss out for me.

Smith at FB to see how he goes, with Webb on the bench
Hall on [uright[/u wing to partner Watkins
McGuire and Burrow at 6 and 7
Kylie and Moore as starting props
McShane given a crack at starting hooker after his recent u-20's performance; Lunt on the bench.
JJB and Ablett starting second rowers; Hauraki on the bench
Bailey to continue at LF with Sinfield on the bench

.....and of course continue to save Ward, Singleton, Hood and Chisholm for the league matches that matter

I think we know who's going to win, BUT after losing your last game, McDermott probably wants to give your regular starting line up a 'run out' where they can gain some confidence (if they play well/allowed to).
It feels like a PROPER game with Rhino's sending their 'regular' side, and the first 20 minutes, it should be one as well.
I predict: Leigh 16 Leeds 44.