Don't think Garbutt can go on dual reg for the same reasons Kylie couldn't? Anyway, if he's playing on Monday you wouldn't really want him to have a Friday game too.

All rumour of course, but allegedly Mac told Garbutt to pack his bags and ***k off ! why I don't know !

Weird that Mitch was at Headingley a couple of hours ago doing a Rhinos Foundation presentation then.

Would have to have been something serious for Mcdermott to say that to Garbutt if true, he's been fantastic since his arrival last summer.

Just a suggestion but could Garbutt's exclusion be fitness related? He was a big lump when he came over but I would've thought a full pre-season with us he'd looked a bit better body wise but if anything he's turned into a bigger lump this year.

Garbutt hasn't been as effective or impressive as last season yet and looks a bit overweight. But he is not alone in being out of form. Singleton looked our worst prop against Wigan IMO.

Our defence has been something of a shambles and Mac is bound to be upset if players are not keeping to the game plan. There are always things we aren't aware of that are behind selection decisions. With JJB's successful return and promising and enthusiastic performances from Mullally plus Ablett back gives the coach more freedom in selection. I am sure Garbutt and Singo will very soon be contesting selection once again.

All the players are underperforming in the basics and searching for their best form and sharpness... something a coach cannot do anything about except drop the players concerned. But when injuries and lost form conspire together even this solution is not available as he runs out of bodies.

Once the team is back to full strength I feel sure we will start to see form return and if the table toppers start to have similar problems they too will drop some points. So keep the faith.

Mitch Achurch missus wrote on Facebook today that 'she cannot wait for her and Mitch to return to home soil next season' so that to me suggests they already know what's happening next season.

Are you sure it wasn't just a visit to home soil? His Business in Leeds seems to be the focus for Mitch.

No issues like that in the camp. Just BS.

Indeed, he's Leeds selection for the rugby am rowing challenge, maybe Mac has him focussed on bringing us some early silverware with that prestigious trophy.

Galloway was alot better last week and Mac prefers him for his work rate apparently

Hi all,

Read/followed the forum for a good while now but never created an account to post until now. So here's my first one.

Picking Mitch Garbutt and/or Brad Singleton is no brainer decision for me. I can't understand why they wouldn't be selected. I've read a few posts to suggest they've each had a poor game or 2, but the same can be said for the rest of the lads.

I'm sure we'll all agree on paper this is a much tougher game than facing Wakefield (no offence intended for any reading Wakefield fans), so we should have gone in with our strongest squad tonight and looked to have rested/rotated the odd player on Monday.

Whilst my glass is always half full with the Leeds Rhinos, I can't help but feel a little uneasy about tonights game. We can't afford to many more slip ups especially this early in the season.

Thanks for reading.

Welcome to the forum Rosc.

I think the Singleton one has been explained TBH with his partner due to and eventually giving birth over the last few days. I imagine players in that situation are given the choice to play or not in the circumstances. If she was due on the day of the Saints game I can't imagine his focus on the game ahead would've been all that good anyway.

Thanks Bang. Most posters seem friendly although opinionated which makes for good discussions.

From the McDermott's interview on the Rhinos website today, it sounds like McGuire and Hall won't be playing tonight.

The way the Coach uses the bench is often odd and he is no stranger to making odd selections,like Achurch over Keinhorst in the CC.

Garbutt seems to be the next in the list of odd omissions.

McGuire and Hall do miss out. Briscoe back and Lilley on the bench with Mulally, Delaney and Walters. I hope Keinhorst is out due to an injury and not dropped. Also think Singleton and Garbutt are ahead of Walters. Maybe Achurch and Baldwinson will make the squad on Monday too.

Handley is playing Hall misses out

Really says on FB Hall misses out. Shame as I thought Handley deserves his place over Hall.

Mac said several players both selected and not selected were carrying niggling injuries.

I suppose we have enough players to chop and change over the next 2 games. Let's hope we don't use all the same players for both games.

There is a error somewhere but it's Hall or Handley who are missing out

Handley is playing Hall is out there was a error

Looks like Keinhorst is 18th man so not injured