Actually Mark, just seen stats and they were worse than I said. I knew they had missed a fair few crucial tackles, hence the comment, but didn’t appreciate how bad. Handley missed more tackles than he made, and I am sorry but in anyone’s book that is really poor. Ablett missed a further five tackles.

I did say despite the good, as I wasn’t Ignoring the good bits, but just pointing out their defence left a lot to be desired with the poor misses.

Quite right. 46 tackles and 12 carries. He does it most weeks and is a key part of the Leeds side.

I think only Clarke is averaging more tackles per game than JJB who has made 47.4 tackles per game after 5.

Sorry Gotcha I agree with you on lots of things but I can't on Ablett last night. If you look at Barba's 2nd try Ablett had chased back 50 yards to make a desperate tackle on Barba missed tackle stats don't show that amount of effort it just shows missed tackle 1. That was after 70 mins of non stop grit, toughness, getting back to carry ball in on your own line, getting under oppositions skin and getting into referees ear also.

Stats might show a few missed tackles but it doesn't show the running blood to water to get in a position to make a tackle in 1st place.

Ablett for me was superb last night as he was at Warrington on the opening night. It was a great effort by all. Pride in the Leeds shirt in abundance so why pick up on a few negatives?

A special mention for:

Child: "I called surrender and you played the ball too quick"

Ablett: "I played the ball too quick?!?"

Exactly - if your job depended on it who would you select?

IMO Golding is a very good player but Walker is an exceptional player

I think you have misunderstood my post here Marty. I wasn’t ignoring the good things, I agree with you, I did start my post by saying “despite the good things”. I was just referring to the crucial missed tackles that left a lot to be desired, and they were poor misses.

I did group him with Handley, which might have been unfair, because Handleys misses were really bad last night, and to miss more than you make is not a good stat in the slightest.

He pulled us up twice at the PTB (Mullally also) for things that players usually get away with 20 times a game. Disagree with some that we got everything from Child - aside from the odd aberration I thought he got most things right.

I like Golding and he looks a model professional with great attitude. He is a great replacement and i'd be happy to play him centre, winger, full back as and when necessary, however Walker is far better in both attack and defence. Golding should only get in at full back when Walker is injured or not playing well which is far from the case at the moment. We are just blessed to have one of the most exciting backs I have seen for a long long time.

In regards to Peteru, he has been down under. Is he going to do a Galloway also?

The resilience of the club is still there which is the most pleasing aspect. They just grind it out. Had a sneaky feeling Handley might pop up with the try.

Though briscoe had another good game was interesting to see hall with kicks.

Thought walker went well unlucky for Golding but I just think walker has more in attack although the battle should bring both of them on. Also at their age playing 20 games a season each is ok.


All things considered its been a positive start to the season. Hopefully we start to get a few bodies back soon

Would like to see some clarification on the scrums. Richardson needed telling three times to put it in correctly. Why is that not a penalty?

Walters did a good job last night. I feel some who have scapegoated him should eat humble pie.

How about giving Golding a wing spot in place of Briscoe. The competition for places could bring the best out of Briscoe even if Golding doesn’t keep the spot.

Strange decision indeed, after some decent games child seems to have slipped back to his old ways. Only consolation from last night was child was equally incompetent for both teams. Although saints seemed to think they were unjustly treated. I sometimes get the impression with child that if over several minutes no infringement has occurred. He feels obliged to justify his existence by looking for some minor infringement to award a penalty.
This present rhinos team have developed a mental toughness and resilience. Both at Warrington and saints our defence was outstanding.

For me Briscoe's earned the spot so far this year and his confidence looks high, and doesn't deserve to miss out just to generate competition.

It was a correct decision, albeit a nit-picking one. Ablett hadn't fully regained his feet when he played the ball. Child's explanation to Ablett left a lot to be desired, granted

Thought Walker was a bit rocks and diamonds last night, he needs to make that tackle on Grace and made a few errors in goal, but tbf it was his first game in a month.

Point is, he needs to up his game next week if he wants to secure the 1 shirt.

I don’t know if he’s already been mentioned, as haven’t read the full post, but thought Delaney was a rock last night, tackled everything that moved.

I agree with that comment about Walker being rocks and diamonds last night and if Golding would have missed the tackle on Grace he would have been slated.
Don't get me wrong I think Walker will be class but i still prefer Golding's defence.
Next week might see Newman on the wing with Briscoe at centre if Watkins misses out.
Dwyer back next week hopefully.
We could go into the game with 10 first teamers missing and no replacement for Galloway.

You are right Marty often the most missed tackles are made by the best defenders who are regularly first up and although counted as a miss in fact hinder or delay the attacker sufficiently to allow team mates to get to the attacker. Again often a missed tackle is made by a player who is trying to make his 2nd, 3rd or even 4th tackle on the trot.

Correct. We are blessed with two classy players Golding shades it on defense while Walker looks to have the better attack potentially.

Great win under the circumstances with so many missing and losing Golding early. Would have been convincing were it not for the flashes of brilliance from Barba.

I have to admit that I though Ablett was probably the worst player on the night whilst watching it live, but it'd be churlish to be too critical of any of the players.
I have to say though, that I was surprised Parcel got MotM, I thought he was pretty poor first half, but outstanding in the 2nd.
Overall, I thought Watkins and Singleton were Leeds' best, and Delaney continued his good start to the season, it's his best start to a season for years.
I also don't understand Saint's whinging about Child. Wilkin especially could barely contain himself in his post match interview.

Delaney has taken a fair bit of stick for his injury record and some have wanted him gone for a few years now but he along with the other 'golden oldies' in JJB and Ablett (who have faced similar criticism) are really doing a great job for us at the moment with so much size missing in the forwards. 15 carries for 120m from Delaney is a great effort. I know Ablett had some obvious poor moments but his experience and work rate will have been invaluable on the pitch last night.

Also think people have been way too eager to be critical of Moon at HB. Saw people online lining up the criticism of him in the first half only for him to come up with match changing moments. He's never going to be a typical HB and will have certain things missing from his game but the things he has and how we like to play is working there and let's not forget so far this year he's had a back problem and missed a few games.

I don't believe Golding is as strong defensively as people make out. Last week he was poorly positioned for two grubbers resulting in Hull scoring from one. He also dropped two kicks. I also believe we concede far more repeat sets through Golding tapping it out or getting stuck in goal than we do Walker: there were, however, one or two incidents last night where Walker possibly could have done better with. For me Walker has better positioning, is safer under the kicks and is far more threatening in attack. I accept tackle wise that Golding might just edge it, however, not by a lot. I still haven't seen Golding do anything of note in attack since breaking into the first team.

This is me having a go in regards to Golding. I'd be happy to have him as full back were Walker not here, however, I'd pick Walker everytime when a choice between the two. Leeds have been very lucky to keep Walker.

Thought cam smith showed up really well. Theres never been any doubt over his ability, but for the 19's and at bradford last season, a lot of people have questioned his effort. Was good to see him really put himself about with some decent hitups and solid defence, including a try saver. Hope he can keep it up and earn more playing time.