Opening round SL fixtures are usually well attended so 18K is achievable IMO, though I reckon the attendance will be closer to around 16K. What a strange world we live in these days when one considers that this fixture would struggle to pull in 10K if it was meaningful and actually counted for something... like a CC Round or a SL play-off game for instance.

Understood - makes more sense now

Sorry, I didnt mean stronger than us. It was poorly worded. I meant stronger than they were last year.


Edit: Well, it looks like most of you understood me



Also, the opening game of the season does draw in extra when it comes to the numbers. If Hull do bring over 3k+ I see no reason why 18k isnt possible. It will definitely be above 16k though IMO.

Attendances over the last few years v Hull FC in the SL.

'12 - 13,250 - This seems low. What was happening in July last year for the attendance to drop that much?
'11 - 14,809
'10 - 16,896
'09 - 15,929
'08 - 16,886
07' - 18,659 (opening home game of the season)

I actually didnt realise the attendances for this game had dropped off over the last couple of years. It is surprising too but maybe Hull havent reached their potential in that time and have been towards the lower end of the 8. Im still saying a minimum of 16,000 for this though. Maybe 18k is too much but you never know with the reasons I originally gave.

Rhinos are only without Ben Jones-Bishop and Kylie Leuluai through injury so McDermott is able to field a near full strength squad.

The squad in full is:

1. Zak Hardaker
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Joel Moon
5. Ryan Hall
6. Danny McGuire
7. Rob Burrow
9. Paul McShane
10. Jamie Peacock
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12. Carl Ablett
13. Kevin Sinfield (c)
14. Stevie Ward
15. Brett Delaney
16. Ryan Bailey
17. Ian Kirke
18. Chris Clarkson
19. Mitch Achurch
20. Darrell Griffin
25. Joe Vickery

I'd go:
1. Zak Hardaker
25. Joe Vickery
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Joel Moon
5. Ryan Hall
13. Kevin Sinfield (c)
6. Danny McGuire

16. Ryan Bailey
7. Rob Burrow
10. Jamie Peacock
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
15. Brett Delaney
12. Carl Ablett

9. Paul McShane
17. Ian Kirke
19. Mitch Achurch
14. Stevie Ward

As much as i rate Ward i dont think he's fit enough just yet so id have Clarkson in his spot on the bench and swop Griffin for Kirke.

How did Ward look against Hunslet fitness wise? Was he blowing? I know he played most of the game.

Griff/Kirke - ???? You could argue that one all day.
Be interesting to see when Achurch gets a few opportunities how he takes them. Also when Moore returns from fitness these 2 should be used wisely to give some of the older pack heads the opportunity to practice quality over quantity.

It was Wards 1st run out BB so id like him to get at least 1 more u19 match given how much pre-season he missed contact training wise.
Re-Griffin he had much more impact than Kirke v Dulls and imo we need to step up his minutes to get better out of him.

I'm interested to see more of Achurch and how he does, what is his best position.

I agree we need to use JP and Kylie wisely, surely next season's big signing (if there is one) should be a prop.

To ignore Clarkson would render preseason almost worthless. By all accounts he has been training the house down since he returned, and was regarded by many as man of match against the Bulls.

Preseason should be where you stake a claim for the Jersey's first.

Stevie Ward has been named in the u19 line up for their thursday fixture v Ull so id expect Clarkson to get a bench spot.

Exactly, and just going by the Bulls game, Clarkson deserves the 1st go. He was probably the best forward on the park and it should be now his to lose.

Interesting to see what the lineup is. I think the 13 is pretty certain.

On the bench we'll see what the thoughts of the coach are, and what role Achurch is likely to play. I'd expect Griffin to get a game as there is no other out and out prop in the squad, though you could argue Kirke is

Kirke may not like playing prop but I think this season that's where his services will be most needed.

Friendlies apart, I can't think of many times in recent years where Kirke has been named at anything other than prop when he's been in the starting lineup, or replaced anyone other than a prop when he's come off the bench.

IMO he was the perfect fit for the loose forward role that Bailey played for chunks of last season. Good tackler, mobile, decent footwork.

Agree that Clarkson deserves his chance and was by far the best forward against Bulls.
He ran some good angles and tackled well.
I also think Griffin should get the nod over Kirke for this one.

Did he not play there at least once last season ? Just the once is hardly a ringing endorsement ...

Would agree with all of this.......but somehow, unfortunately, I think it will be McShane that misses out

Sorry but can't agree with this. JP was easily our most consistent prop and also up with the best in SL. Apart from a wobble when he was not fully fit he put in consistent outstanding performances through out the season and not just in the play offs.

Whilst agreeing he should get some more rests, I believe that JP is a player that thrives on work rate which is a reason he has such stamina.

He cannot be compared with other lesser props who cannot keep up a performance for more than 15 minutes at a time.

I am not sure that keeping him on the bench for longer or having him rested for too many games will prolong his career. In fact this may lead to a loss of some match fitness and so some stamina and he could then just fade away.

I would prefer to see him keep playing his 110% game until his time to retire.

.....when Singleton gets back from his loan spell at Wakey then?

19s won 18-12, 2 try's for Josh Sunley.

I disagree far too often we flogged him in games that were lost causes failed to rotate him and kylie and he suffered form wise if not determination and fire wise.
What do we gain by playing hm against Widnes or keeping him on the pitch for an hour against Wigan at home or Wire and ST's away when we battered??
He was very very good in the P/O's and the CC games (final aside) but whatever numbers are put out he showed his age and battle wear and tear more than once as did Kylie.
I'm not saying he should have every other week off or just play 10 minutes a half but we need to manage his gametime better.
We have to get more out of the other Props because no matter what anybody thinks he's on borrowed time and we need to get others involved to take up some of the workload as to not lose so much when the inevitable happens.

Twitter said 20-12.
Good result either way they hammered York with most of that team.

If we have a fully fit squad do we really want to see JP carving through Widnes et al. The squad should be used effectively. That's where Moore/Achurch come in, hungry and wanting to impress. See who can step up when we will have to replace him, which isn't too far away. If JP stepped aside for a half a dozen dead rubbers during the season and it meant that someone like Singleton could be bled, who'd argue with that?