Nice backtrack but we all knew what you were saying.

You are right. I am sure the coaches were thinking of the lads welfare. He made 32 tackles against Bradford and 27 against Huddersfield which will have been a big step up for him. They maybe looking after Hood in the same way.

Maybe their using up Kirkes allocation of games now so when it comes to the business end of the season he will then be 'rested'

In one of the many scrums JP packed down in the hooker position with Webb in the 13 slot.
That alone tells you that we don't actually need scrums any more.

Leeds - like a lot of other clubs - change the way they pack down depending on whether it's an attacking or defending scrum and which side of the field they are on.

Often the blind side centre comes into the second row for a defending scrum, while one of the second rowers goes out into midfield to strengthen the defence. The full back tends to pack at loose when defending, with the loose forward again going into the backline.

When attacking, the hooker often packs at loose forward to ensure better distribution from the base of the scrum.

There were a few scrums, where the Broncos had the feed, that JP didn't even pack down in, he was in defending in the traditional stand off spot.

There seemed to be general disarray and confusion about who was packing down and where at many scrums for Leeds I thought.

It was either a complex and genius game plan or a right mess.

This ... and in addition the scrum-half (both for offensive and defensive scrums) tend to alternate between the half-backs in accordance with which flank the scrum is set and which side they are tasked to defend on.

It's not complicated - OK maybe it is a bit for some - but the varieties can be seen every week for those who choose to take an interest in the game.

Delaney made 54 tackles

Kirke was forward top metre maker (105m) with the exception of Burrow (110m) and had the same number of carries as Bailey who was on for longer.

Is there an echo in here.......in here.......in here........

Kirke returned at least 4 kick-offs in second half. Just to add a bit of context to the digits.

He could make 100 tackles for me, but he still moves like he's in concrete.

Adds some context but doesn't detract from the fact that he actually had a pretty good game.

Who said he didn't?

I just said his metres from kick returns don't detract from a decent performance. Where did I accuse anyone of saying he had a bad game?

Your response to a fine defensive stint shows how prejudice can cloud good judgement.

You can sneer all you like but Delaney has put in the best sustained performance of any of our forwards this season and is our top tackler, top metre maker, top marker tackler and has made the most busts and is a close 2nd to JP for the number of carries.

Spot on. IMO Delaney is just about the most improved performer in the side and has been incredibly consistent since his move to second row.

Isn't that how JP & Kylie keep their M per C respectable?

Your obsession with basic stats is frighteningly stupid at times.

I might well be harsh on him, but you have absolutely no concept of the game outside of stats. You have no thought whatsoever of the number of occassions good attack has stopped because the ball is in his hands.

In order to win matches you have to score.

Yes he has really stepped up to the plate with JJB injured and so many of his tackles are one on one or first in. His 54 tackles against London were backing up 44 tackles at Odsal on Friday. He is solid and dependable with a high workrate and deserves some credit.

Totally agree.
He is there to do a job i.e run the ball in ofeten taking 3 or 4 defenders with him and making yards and he is a tackling machine as the stats show.
He is not there to create tries although he has done that from the games I have seen.
To say he is running in concrete is utter rubbish.
He and Ablett are the stand out players in our pack .

And yet Roy Powell is a Leeds legend.

My use of stats backs up my opinion. Yours doesn't which is why so you don't like stats.

Delaney's job in the 2nd row is to make the tackles and take the ball up which he has done tremendously well particularly in JJB's absence. He is also our 3rd best offloading forward. Your comment regarding him stopping potential good attacks could be applied to any of the forwards when they take the ball up. You appear not to understand that he is fullfilling his specific role. When they pass the ball to him he is expected to drive it in make metres and try to bust tackles - it is what they practice.

However my comment was that Delaney had made 54 tackles against London backing up 44 against Bradford a few days earlier. So your reply fails to acknowledge this huge defensive feat. You ignore this totally and make comments that he should be passing the ball and not making the meters.

For someone with so many prejudices it is amusing to hear you accuse me of having no concepts of the game. At least you are beginning to see the light regarding Burrow. Maybe with a little more experience you will come to see the same for Delaney?

The same can probably be said of most forwards in the game.

In order to win matches you have to do more than score...you have to score more than the opposition.
You do not however have to score every time a second rower gets involved in the play.