His two injuries are completely unrelated. The skull injury he got last year was a very rare occurrence - I can't recall it happening before. Shoulder injuries are not so rare in the game and more of a concern ongoing, but it seems to be hit and miss as to whether a player ends up suffering continual shoulder injuries (David Creasser and Gary Spencer come to mind) or not.

Its the same shoulder he had operated on what made him miss out of the Four Nations last season.

I wonder how many operations you can have on the same shoulder?

Edited for accuracy

They were taliking about shoulder injuries on the nrl show this week, benji had problems with the same shoulder time and time again. I just happend to be different parts. Bjb my have done the same thing? Then again it might be a totally different bit of his shoulder.

Can't see Ablett playing in the centres with so much weight missing from the pack? McShane & Smith to miss out for me.

Webb

Hardaker
Watkins
Senior
Hall

Sinfield
Burrow

Cross
Buderus
Burgess
JJB
Hauraki
Ablett

Lauitiiti, Kirke, Clarkson, Pitts.

That's what I do anyway if you're reading Mac!



Edit - I've left Smith out with the assumption of him failing the fitness test. If he's fit, swap him with Hardaker (and then have the Smith/Watkins centre/wing combo in any permutation you see fit.)

I wouldn't start Cross at all.

It seems better tactics to start Clarkson, rather than him coming off the bench.

Yeah, seems fair enough. However really. Bump JJB to prop & Clarkson to start, Cross on bench. Either way. I'd still leave McShane and Hardaker/Smith(fitness) as the two to miss out.

This weeks edition of [url=http://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/16218.phpHeadingley Carnegie Insight[/url suggests Hardaker will play.

[iZak has been making big strides in recent weeks and impressed the coaching staff. He has played all of Featherstone's games this season as part of his dual registration. He is an exciting talent and we are looking forward to seeing him in action this week.[/i

Are his legs longer than the other players?

Yeah loads longer. Would be very difficult to make big strides with little legs. If only we had a player famed for being considerably shorter than your average RL player. That way I'd be able to make a witty comparison.

No point paying a transfer fee for him to sit on the sidelines.

To use the NFL parlance, he's "next man up". Fourth choice winger and two in front of him in the pecking order are injured.

Another thing, were these big (Giant) Strides noticed in a game of 'May I' and how did he get on with the Watering Can and Frog Leaps, I always used to struggle with them.

With the Headingley insight this week makes me think that Hardaker will play.

Webb; Hardaker, Watkins, Senior, Hall; Sinfield, Burrow; JJB, Buderus, Burgess; Ablett, Lauitiiti, Clarkson.
Hauraki, Kirke, Pitts, Cross.

I'd go with that I guess...but with young Singleton instead of Kirke.

Looking forward to seeing how Hardaker goes.

Just a quick reminder to those who are heading along Kirkstall Road towards Horsforth or beyond after the game.

The Frankenstein's Wedding BBC3 live event at Kirkstall Abbey is potentially going to cause some disruption. Kirkstall Road may be closed on an ad hoc basis during the filming, but hopefully that won't be until 8pm onwards.

Hes not included in the 19 otherwise I would have said the same.

Paul Clough could be out of the game for Saints due to Tonsillitis, aswell as TP and LMS being serious doubts.

I am just disappointed I didn't get an invite... I will have to make do with the wedding I am going to in London in a few weeks time.

I agree Clarkson should start with Hauraki more of an impact player off the bench. However I would start Cross as he cannot be considered an impact player but has shown he can tackle with a question mark over his go forward play. We need to show Saints a strong defence early in the game so they don't get on a roll.

Your point re: Cross is well made. But when he came off the bench against Wolves he really struggled to get up to the speed of play. I am concerned that the same would be on the cards against Saints. He was banned stupidly in that game, so to come straight back into the starting 13 after a poor performance and ban doesn't sit too well with me. Also on the back of that, last weeks starting props (JJB + Kirke) did their bit, so they should get another crack this week IMO.

In reality though whether he starts or not I can't see there being much difference. We didn't miss him last week and that's a whole other problem in itself.

Whilst the jury remains out on Cross lets not write him off yet.
I agree BB that his instant recall to the 13 isn't ideal after a ban but i think he should start rather than coming off the bench and kirke should be benched to come on with Biffa if fit.
The starting back-row if Abbo isn't selected at centre should be Ali ,Abbo with Clarkson at 13 imo.

Webb
Hardaker/Smith
Watkins
Senior
Hall
Sinfield
Burrow
Cross
Buderus
Jjb
Abblet
Ali
Clarkson.

Hauraki
kirke
Burgess
Pitts/Mcshane.

I would bring Ali off the bench for impact with Burgess starting and JJB back in the 2nd row

Pitts played for U20s so is seemingly not playing tonight. U20s won 28-24 by the way.

Well all the speculation came to .....