The policy I wished to see Leeds follow (and still do) was/is spending their full allocation under the cap.

The Leeds CEO has stated his intention to do so 'again' in 2012 and also stated that Buderus would not be released from next year's contract without an adequate replacement could be found (not neccessarily a hooker - been here before as Buderus himself replaced Ellis. World class for world class.)

I keenly await the exciting announcement/s still to come.

I fully agree with you. Gary H has made numourous similar statements that he wants to continue developing local young talant together with recruiting quality players from overseas and also from other SL clubs. He said this again in the YEP only yesterday.However any players brought in must add quality to the squad.
With other SL clubs we evidently were linked with Manu Tuilagi this week. I don't think it will happen for money reasons and he would have to fit into the team. Shontyne Hape is older at 30 but has loads of international experience which he can pass on to Watkins and Hardaker. Someone said he was injury prone but Watkins and Hardaker between them have missed over half of last season through injury. I think the idea of rotation would help them develop particularly in defence. Also Smith will be gone before the start of next season and 2012 is Webb's last year. If BJB goes to full-back and Hardaker to the wing then there is space.
We don't know where Burrow will play next season. I think if he starts as hooker we may need cover at halfback and if he reverts to scrum-half some cover at hooker. Hood will be loaned out to gain experience at another club.

...and block one or other of them from getting games for probably two years. Same goes for any other 'experienced' centre - almost all of them would want at least two years, if not three. Given our backups - Ablett and Delaney - are better than most SL starting centres, I'm not sure why you'd want to bother. IMO you learn best by playing. Hardaker went from looking a bit lost in defence to not missing a tackle in the GF in the space of a handful of games.

There seems to be a lot of assumption Smith will leave i think we should keep him and let him fight it out with the others especially with Webb only having 1 more year.

Would you be happy to see Leeds sign a player who has only limited impact (see Ben Cross for an example)just so the club can spend it's full cap allocation? A signing for the sake of a signing, rather than one which improves the team as a whole?

Every time Union poaches a high profile player I think it's a fantastic opportunity for our game to shout from the rooftops to exciting, young union players that if they want big money in Union and a fast track to the England team they should come and play our code.

They'll also get the opportunity to run with the ball.

In principal, I expect the Leeds management to use all the tools at their disposal within the limits and the spirit of the regulations which I fully support the existence of and need for in the game.

The Leeds CEO will be operating a year to two years ahead of the fans and I'm interested to see what solutions he is going to come up with to honour his two key pledges made to the fans: Buderus will only be released if a suitable replacement is secured and Leeds will again be spending their full permitted cap.

Exciting times ahead.

I wouldn't pin your hopes on this. He's secured McShane. You might argue he's not a suitable replacement but the opposite argument is equally legitimate under those terms of reference.

I'm also waiting for these comments to be honoured but only on quality additions to the squad. Surely GH must have something up his sleeve otherwise he would not have made them?

With Griffin added, I really am struggling to see how on earth we'll use all our forwards next season, even with some kind of rotation policy.

Props: Peacock, Leuluai, Bailey, Kirke, Moore, Griffin, Ambler, Singleton (+Amor)
Second Row/Loose Forward: JJB, Delaney, Ablett, Clarkson, Hauraki, Pitts

Without adding an impact forward, you'd still have to think we'd let some of the above go, even if you assume that in one more year we'll lose Leuluai. Otherwise it really smacks of quantity over quality. I'd especially think that Kirke (current 4th choice prop) must see his place in the team under threat - I suspect we haven't signed Moroe and Griffin to play in the reserves.

With so many players involved in the 4 nations squad and the knights it does give Mc the opportunity to give those players a decent rest and maybe the at least the 1st week of the sesaon off to help have them fresh for the WCC.

Agree re kirke, although it makes the decision to re sign him more bizzare with the bringing in of 2 new props

This is true. Looking at the squad as it is Griffin takes Kirke's place in the team, and is an improvement. But you factor in Kirke's 2 year contract, and it doesn't look so clear cut. In reality I reckon that Griffin will replace Leuluai in the starting 13 (or maybe bailey will), and Kirke will still be on the fringes of the squad depending on fitness of Leuluai & others

Perhaps a move for Kirke back into the second row mix, particularly if the plan is for Sinfield to remain at six and Ablett/Clarkson at loose?

I think with Kirke having expressed his dislike for the prop role in the past this is a good shout. Put him back in 2nd row, where he probably won't make the 17 in reality.

Has anything been announced re: a Millenium Weekend to kick season off or anything else?

Moving back to May and in Manchester apparently.

what will Taggart say about his pitch getting dug up?

Nothing.





Its at the city of scumchester stadium

oh I see thanks

That's rubbish!?!
Cardiff is a cracking place to visit for weekend. Manchester, however,......
At Millenium Stadium on a bank holiday weekend would surely be a better arrangement! Such a shame.

Don't think I will be making a weekend of it in Manchester this year. That said the size of stadium is probably about right

Notthing, its in May, the football season will have finished

For me, he won't get into the second row. JJB > Ablett > Delaney > Clarkson > Hauraki > Kirke IMO.

He does a job in the 17 as a 4th prop. That job just doesn't exist in the second row, plus I don't think he has the skills for it

I can only see a position for kirke if we get some injuries. Think he will get some games but don't think he will be as regular as previous seasons... Unless he trains the house down and earns it, which is fair enough!!