yes and he was crap on sunday at doncaster.

I have not seen many games of aliberts where he hasn't been rubbish

First game of the season, Leeds champions, Hull stronger on paper. I reckon somewhere near the 18k mark personally. Enjoy the game.

Not sure why you think Hull are stronger - if you do a man for man I can't see that?

Hull are much stronger Sal.

I was more concerned with his 18k estimate. Think it might be a good 10% down on that.

Not sure how you get to this opinion. We're better in almost every position.

I think he means they are a stronger squad than they were last year. Anyway Friday night will show whether that's true or not. Lets hope the match isn't decided by the clown with the whistle.

Agreed, I read the opening comment by Harrigan as 'Hull stronger on paper' to be a comparison to the Hull squad of 2012 not in relation to Leeds' squad in 2013.

It will be interesting to see the turnout. Leeds would have to be satisfied with around the 15K unless Hull were to travel in monster numbers to witness their latest false (?) dawn.

That's exactly what was meant. That's what I took Harrigans post to mean, and why I agreed. Hull are a much stronger team this year.

i can see around 3,500 from Hull travelling over.

First allocation of tickets sold out, but as a club i think were not the best at pre-purchase away tickets so expect a lot just to travel on the night

Likely side:

McDonnell
Lineham (hope he playes over Crookes)
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
O'Meley
Ellis
Galea
Westerman

Heremaia
Pitts (bulked up a lot!)
Green
Whiting

Opening round SL fixtures are usually well attended so 18K is achievable IMO, though I reckon the attendance will be closer to around 16K. What a strange world we live in these days when one considers that this fixture would struggle to pull in 10K if it was meaningful and actually counted for something... like a CC Round or a SL play-off game for instance.

Understood - makes more sense now

Sorry, I didnt mean stronger than us. It was poorly worded. I meant stronger than they were last year.


Edit: Well, it looks like most of you understood me



Also, the opening game of the season does draw in extra when it comes to the numbers. If Hull do bring over 3k+ I see no reason why 18k isnt possible. It will definitely be above 16k though IMO.

Attendances over the last few years v Hull FC in the SL.

'12 - 13,250 - This seems low. What was happening in July last year for the attendance to drop that much?
'11 - 14,809
'10 - 16,896
'09 - 15,929
'08 - 16,886
07' - 18,659 (opening home game of the season)

I actually didnt realise the attendances for this game had dropped off over the last couple of years. It is surprising too but maybe Hull havent reached their potential in that time and have been towards the lower end of the 8. Im still saying a minimum of 16,000 for this though. Maybe 18k is too much but you never know with the reasons I originally gave.

Rhinos are only without Ben Jones-Bishop and Kylie Leuluai through injury so McDermott is able to field a near full strength squad.

The squad in full is:

1. Zak Hardaker
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Joel Moon
5. Ryan Hall
6. Danny McGuire
7. Rob Burrow
9. Paul McShane
10. Jamie Peacock
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12. Carl Ablett
13. Kevin Sinfield (c)
14. Stevie Ward
15. Brett Delaney
16. Ryan Bailey
17. Ian Kirke
18. Chris Clarkson
19. Mitch Achurch
20. Darrell Griffin
25. Joe Vickery

I'd go:
1. Zak Hardaker
25. Joe Vickery
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Joel Moon
5. Ryan Hall
13. Kevin Sinfield (c)
6. Danny McGuire

16. Ryan Bailey
7. Rob Burrow
10. Jamie Peacock
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
15. Brett Delaney
12. Carl Ablett

9. Paul McShane
17. Ian Kirke
19. Mitch Achurch
14. Stevie Ward

As much as i rate Ward i dont think he's fit enough just yet so id have Clarkson in his spot on the bench and swop Griffin for Kirke.

How did Ward look against Hunslet fitness wise? Was he blowing? I know he played most of the game.

Griff/Kirke - ???? You could argue that one all day.
Be interesting to see when Achurch gets a few opportunities how he takes them. Also when Moore returns from fitness these 2 should be used wisely to give some of the older pack heads the opportunity to practice quality over quantity.

It was Wards 1st run out BB so id like him to get at least 1 more u19 match given how much pre-season he missed contact training wise.
Re-Griffin he had much more impact than Kirke v Dulls and imo we need to step up his minutes to get better out of him.

I'm interested to see more of Achurch and how he does, what is his best position.

I agree we need to use JP and Kylie wisely, surely next season's big signing (if there is one) should be a prop.

To ignore Clarkson would render preseason almost worthless. By all accounts he has been training the house down since he returned, and was regarded by many as man of match against the Bulls.

Preseason should be where you stake a claim for the Jersey's first.

Stevie Ward has been named in the u19 line up for their thursday fixture v Ull so id expect Clarkson to get a bench spot.

Exactly, and just going by the Bulls game, Clarkson deserves the 1st go. He was probably the best forward on the park and it should be now his to lose.

Interesting to see what the lineup is. I think the 13 is pretty certain.

On the bench we'll see what the thoughts of the coach are, and what role Achurch is likely to play. I'd expect Griffin to get a game as there is no other out and out prop in the squad, though you could argue Kirke is

Kirke may not like playing prop but I think this season that's where his services will be most needed.