The thing with Peacock is he doesn't talk in cliches (something Crabtree falls into on TV, but doesn't do on the radio for some reason), and if he says something his opinion commands respect because he's been there, seen it, done it.

The speaking work he's done through No White Flag has really improved his chances of getting a media job when he retires. He's much clearer than he was even four or five years ago in front of a microphone.

Totally agree, his media training is now starting to pay dividends.
Hardaker would be advised to listen & learn from JP in this area.
I do also like John Wilkin who comes across IMV (not popular on here I'm sure) as someone who can string words together.
Re Crabtree I do not like people who cannot (or will not) pronounce "th" correctly, it is not "f" or "v".
Something I blame East Enders for.

Never heard such rubbish in all my life Gotcha , Peacock has been magnificent again all year and only slightly down on last (50%

) even fans on other forums have been tipping him for top 3 in man of steel again

Crunched some of the numbers on Peacock's performances from last year to this. They come up with JP doing 3 carries fewer per game, and making 0.5m less per carry he takes up. Average metres per game dropped from ~160m to ~130m.

Contrastingly, Kylie is doing an average of 2 carries more per game, and making 0.8m more per carry taken up. Average metres per game has gone up from ~90m to ~110m.

At the start of the season, Leuluai did seem to be doing slightly longer first stints than we had been used to. More like 20-25 minutes rather than 15-18.

Not really noticed whether that has continued as the season has gone on.

what stats are you using to get the 130m per game average?

i cant find the stats for the challenge cup games he's played, but according to the Super League website he's made 2900 metres in 18 matches this season, which is just more than 160 per game.

But did Wire win the one that mattered?I would rest 1 to13 and play a fringe side.Surely the u19s can give a good account of themselves against London.

I reckon we will rest Watkins, McGuire, Peacock, Delaney, and possibly Kylie. That will be it.

I suspect you will be correct,in that BMc will rest too few.Considering that this is arguably one of Leeds most important matches in a generation then I think it is in error.Pre requisites suggest having a fully fit team and an error free start.

Sorry, how is this one more important than the previous cup finals and grand finals that this generation have contested?

My thoughts exactly, most important in a generation!!!! There are some statements on here lately that are just plain daft. I'm not sure which one takes the biscuit more this one or the one I read which stated that JP was only playing at 50% of his level last year.

From memory, I think this week's League Express had him down as making something like 214m against wire. Can't remember the exact number of carries but I worked it out as a little over 8m per carry, which is pretty good. Will check later if I haven't binned the paper.

Just maybe because we have lost 6x before,its not rocket science.

Games don't become less important after you lose them.

We also have a league to think of. Of course the cup is massively important and everybody wants to win it, but the league remains the bread and butter.

Dropping 4 points to Bradford and London could be the difference between 1st/2nd and 5th/6th this season. That could happen and we could still lose the final. Nothing is guaranteed.

So for me, you pick as strong as you realistically can this weekend. Anybody who has a niggle sits out, everybody else plays.

There is a good argument to rest the key players for Wembley in particular Sinfield, Burrow and McGuire as they will not get many more chances of a winners medal and to get injured against London would be heartbreaking. JJB has also earned another chance of a Cup winners medal so I would rest him along with JP and Kylie and perhaps Moon or Hall.

Time for the likes of Sutcliffe, Singleton and Ward to step up and prove they can take responsibility. Also this match is a chance for Handley to get a run out along with other youngsters R. Ward, Mulhern and a perhaps a halfback. Finally Bailey, Kirke and Clarkson should be told to try and prove why they should have a Final bench spot before the likes Walters.

Yeah you're right, Sorry. Was using the SL-only stats and all games. Will correct & get some new figures.

El D I did say arguably.
I am not trying to denigrate previous Challenge cup final performances, but I don’t see this current crop/generation of players with a CC winners medal (except JP with the Dulls)Hence the comment.
I would have thought that the next cup final or the next Grand final is the important one, the last 7 final defeats are dead and gone. Sinny ,JJB et al I would hope and I’m sure they do, think that the next cup final is the one where they finally put the jigsaw piece in place(JJB's phrase). I would like the team to succeed in this competition (as does everybody else on this forum) this year, maybe at the expense of the super league (hopefully they can do both).I was just offering an opinion, apologies if it upsets some of you.
You must know yourself how frustrating it is to put a jigsaw together only to find the final piece missing.

Whilst i think Kirke and Bailey should play against London as they are both short of match fitness they have nothing to prove regarding a shirt for Wembley. They should and will be in the Final seventeen.

I would play McGuire and rest Burrow, McGuire showed great form on Saturday and I would want him to continue in that vein. Rest Burrow and use Aiton and Ward. Sinfield depends on what other leasers are being rested.

Doesn't upset me. I'm just not convinced a week off always helps, unless you have an injury or fatigue issue.

Also, that is exactly the reason I don't buy jigsaws from charity shops.

Listening to Mac's interview today I'm guessing none of the following will be playing Sunday

Hardaker
Ablett
Burrow
Sir Kev
JP
Delaney

Listening to that maybe something like:

Watkins

Briscoe
Handley
Moon
Hall

Sutcliffe
McGuire

Bailey
Aiton
Singleton
Walters
Achurch
JJB

R.Ward
Kirke
Mulhern
S.Ward

If Watkins and Briscoe play surely it's best to keep them together.

Not sure if Mulhern can play, he picked up a one match ban from the last academy game. However the u19's match is the day before on the Saturday so wouldn't that count as his ban done?

Think after McDermott's interview that Peacock, Ablett and Delaney will definitely miss this one and given that we still have a good hooking combo in Aiton and Robbie Ward then he really should rest Burrow if his groin isn't 100%. That BJB isn't available makes me think he might still go with Hardaker, and wouldn't be surprised to see Sinfield still out there. No mention of Leuluai carrying a knock even though he seemed to be struggling at times in the Wire game.

Interesting to note that whilst he confirms the obvious (that we could all pretty much guess his starting 13 for Wembley) he does claim that bench spots are still available and they'll be some forwards who'll have the chance to fight for the Wembley shirt. Sadly I think it's probably more to do with the backrow option (Sutcliffe may well play halfback vs London so could give the likes of S.Ward, Achurch and Walters a chance to take his place from the semi).