2. Donald
3. Smith
4. Senior
5. Hall
6. McGuire
7. Burrow
8. Leuluai
10. Peacock
11. Jones Buchanan
12. Laitiiti
13. Sinfield
14. Diskin
16. Bailey
17. Kirke
18. Ablett
19. Burgess
20. Gibson
23. Watkins
26. McShane

So...

Smith
Donald
Ablett
Senior
Hall
McGuire
Burrow
Leuluai
Diskin
Peacock
Lauitiiti
Jones-Buchanan
Sinfield

Burgess
Kirke
Bailey
Watkins


is how I reckon they'll line up.

Swap Kirke and Ali around and I reckon you're right.

Lauitiiti and Burrow in the squad.

Good stuff!

Which one of Gibson, Watkins and McShane would be best for the occassion.

On the one hand I think that McShane gives us the two hookers tactic that we have used in all games so far, so would be tempted to give him a shot, also can cover half back.

Watkins can cover wing and centre, which allows all of threequarter line to be reshuffled.

Gibson as Watkins, but less gametime this season, so appears below Watkins in pecking order.

Watkins

Yes he still makes errors, but boy when this kid turns it on he looks 10 years older than his age in that position

Gibson's also spent time at dummy half in his career, I remember him playing there for England in the Federation Cup, so that's something else to consider.

Having said that, I do agree he's below Watkins in the pecking order and Watkins also appears to have more of the "X Factor" about him, so I reckon it'll be Kallum that gets the nod.

According to Joker (who is mostly right) we are going with a 1 hooker tactic.

Gibson hasnt been picked much yet either because McClennan wanted to use the mojarity of the team playing in the WCC in the run up where possible.

Watkins for me because is gives us more options with Abbo moving to the pack. Also if needed Watkins will be a decent winger and has more speed than Ash.

I think from looking at the 3 SL games though that we have been using 2 hookers. Why would they do that if we don't do it in the big one?

I think maybe get Diskin used to playing along side the $2million dollar man

You have to look at numbers and options though. Is this going to be a game that warrants 2 hookers? I think it will be tight. Maybe better to have 3 frwds and a back on the bench.

We will have spells of Sinfield at hooker, Ablett to loose and diskin subbed. This would tie Watkins in nicely to come on at Centre.

Thats a good call. We do have plenty of people who could cover dummy half for 15mins to give Disco a rest

Gibson and mcshane to drop out then.
I just hope the gamble with ali and burrow doesn't back-fire!


C'mon the RHINOS!!!!

Doubt it will... remember he said over a week ago that they probably could have played in the KR game. Then all of a sudden they were very doubtful for this game. All mind games IMO.

Hope so i'm still confident either way!

Would be absolutely the worst option to take as it disrupts the pattern of the team too much.

McLennan needs to have faith in McShane and put him on the bench, give him ten minutes or so either side of half time to enable Diskin to come back fresh for the last 25-30 minutes.

In the FE last season it was Webb who jumped into dummy half and when he was out of the GF it was Burrow. If Burrow plays I'd expect to see that again to give Diskin a spell.

Sounds good enough to win to me...just a wee bit worried about the ref based on his performances to date.

The last thing Leeds need to be worrying about. If Jason Robinson controls the tackle area on Sunday the same way he did at Warrington, Manly will get absolutely caned in the penalty count.

His interpretation was very SL orientated, giving the defending team no latitude to work the tackled player on the floor.

Exactly, I only saw his 1st half performance and I thought he was good. Aparently he made a few bad calls in the 2nd though.


I have no worries with this appointment.

By the way who did '05? Was it Shane Hayne?

Nope.

Sean Hampstead (Australia)

Looking at the article on the Rhinos website listing the games we have played in our history at Elland Road, I was certain we had played Hunslet there but obviously we haven't.

I remember us playing a league game at Headingley against them in the 80's but obviously not whilst they were playing at Elland Road.

Anyone know (TVOC) where Hunslet played any home games against Leeds since 1980?

Dane Carlaw thinks otherwise.

We have, although not as the Rhinos.

The 1938(?) Championship Final between Hunslet and Leeds was played at Elland Road.

IIRC Hunslet became tenants at Elland Road when the stadium was bought by the council (1984/5?). I'm not sure they've been in the same division as Leeds at any point since then?