It could well backfire, but then again I thought that if we go full strength then too many minds might be on next week and not getting injured and not properly focused so it could've gone wrong that way too.

As I mentioned last week, whilst the starting 13 for the CC Semi looks fairly certain the bench spots are still up for grabs IMO. Hopefully we'll see the likes of those who are fighting for them (Bailey, Kirke, Singleton, Walters, Achurch, Ward, Sutcliffe) play with an intent to make sure they get a gig vs Wire.

I think we should line up like this:

Kear, Williams, Arundel, Blythe, Henry, Gaskell, Gale, Manuokafoa, O'Brien, Sidlow, Olbison, Pitts, Donaldson.
Addy, Mellor, Ferguson, Fakir.
Baldwinson and Conroy to miss out.

This is essentially the derby that doesn't matter, I did get a bit giddy after beating Wigan and tip Bradford to win by two - and now seeing the squads I'm that little bit more hopeful. But honestly, I think *ahem* home advantage will see you through this one. The couple of extra days may also make a difference as to how many.

I'm a little worried looking at that team really. There are a lot of vital cogs missing from that squad. You could argue that 4 of our 6 most influential players are missing. Time for others to make a name for themselves

Mac has only rested Watkins and Hall the other absentees are injured.

Bit of a risk to play Handley at centre for his debut. I would play him on the left wing (I think his usual spot in the U/19s) and play Briscoe at left centre and Sutcliffe at right centre with BJB on the right wing. Achurch has experience in the backs so could provide cover. So this would mean only Briscoe and Sutcliffe to play out of position but both have played recently and should be up to speed. Although Sutcliffe didn't impress on his previous outing at centre IMO he looks at his best running out wide on the right. Briscoe has experience for Hull at left centre and should be solid.

Robbie Ward and Minchella to drop out.

Needs the established players to step up and the returning injured to stake a claim for a regular place.

Its a big risk resting Watkins & Hall when Moon is also injured, its basically removing our threequarter threat.

Saying that, the pack looks strong and should be able to make in roads up the middle for Burrow and McGuire to exploit.... Should.

Coach can't win.

He rests a few gets accused of over confidence.

Doesn't and we get an injury, and gets accused of flogging players.

The balance is right for me, a few rested. Big game following week but enough quality to do the job against Bulls (that's not underestimating either)

Would have thought Walters would be one of them wouldn't he?

It's ok, we never get Watkins quality ball anyway and Moon just runs to the sideline cramping Hall's space.

Yeah if the likes of Peacock and Watkins were played on Friday and got injured missing next week there'd be Armageddon on this board.

Think he perhaps is missing one three quarter too many but overall it's ok. Still as strong in the pivots as we could possibly be (can't do anything about Sinfield not being available) and the potential starting forwards and replacements look good enough even with two key guys missing.

Not sure that is quite right. There is a difference to resting and what I personally feel here. If Sinfield was playing I wouldn't have no such worry with resting Peacock and Ablet, but he isn't. Can't understand why if you are missing your left centre injured, you would create more of change by resting the winger also. Then when in line with resting your right centre also, it all seems to much.

It isn't the resting that is the issue, it's the areas and the lack of leaders left.

Come through it, great result, and the coach can take the credit for winning whilst ensuring a fully fit squad week after.

Me personally, have I have always said, would rather win this week than the week after though.

Well...that's an interesting 19.

I feel similar. Its not that I disagree with resting people, its a good thing, especially people with niggles and against a poor team with a semi lined up.

However, I agree that taking 3 of your backline adds massive disruption.

Added to that the absence of 5 go to people in Sinfield, Watkins, Hall, Peacock and Ablett and it seems very risky. I hope the deputies will prove themselves able. If not, I don't mind really, as the league ladder is largely irrelevant on who wins the GF. I also hope that the week off does enough good for us to beat Wire next week, in what is our biggest game of the season.

I'd go with:
1. Hardaker
2. Jones-Bishop
3. Handley
4. Sutcliffe
5. Briscoe
6. McGuire
7. Burrow
8. Leuluai
9. Aiton
10. Singleton
11. Delaney
12. Ward
13. Jones-Buchanan

14. Walters
15. Achurch
16. Bailey
17. Kirke

Handley's played right centre in the 19s this year. Walters has played most of this season in the back row, although he did play some centre after he first came across from Union.

I'd worry that in such a defensively exposed position as centre, Walters enthusiasm might be easier to exploit.

Peacock and Ablett are injured rather than rested. Maybe one or both could have played with a needle, but if that means they might miss the semi it's really not worth the risk.

ZH
BJB AH LS TB
DM RB
KL PA BS
BD JW
JJB

EM RW RB MA

IK SW

Ah the Printer - head still in the sand I see!!

Ryan bailey at 7?

Tony Blair on the wing? I bet he prefers the right.

Bobby Davro in the 2nd row?

I've said before that if you want to get up for big games, IMO the best way is full strength playing full tilt. In the Play Offs that gets forced onto Leeds, who generally get better as they go. Why we change that for the game(s) before big cup games is beyond me.

Whilst many of us may agree that the GF is the main aim, there's no doubt the CC is the goal of many of the players.

Looking at the announced 19 , it would seem that the club are prepaired to sacrifice 2 points and a chance of picking up the LLS in return for a decent shot at the CC.

Wrong Handley switched to centre this year although he has played plenty of games on the Wing and even FB.
Looking at the Dulls squad as long as the BR with him is talking him through and with an experienced winger outside him he should be ok imo.

It looks that way.

That said, the squad picked should be good enough at HQ to get the points against this Bulls team, of course that does have to include the correct approach and attitude to the game because it will certainly be tough and they will be well up for it.

I hope the coach has called this one correct as a home play off in the semi is vital in my opinion to get us to Old Trafford . I understand his thoughts but think he may have just weakened us a little too much and i think we may have our work cut out against a side that will be hell bent on beating us