So whats everyone thoughts for the game next friday. Will the game be a sell out, as there are only a few tickets remaining? will Crusaders RL play better than we all think they will?

Personally, I dont think the game will be a 50 pointer, and think that the game will be tougher than everyone thinks. Its the first game of the season, but also its the first game for Crusaders as they havent had a run out against anyone FWIR? I think that playing Leeds will be tough for them to handle, but I think that theyll score a few tries, and hope that they make a good show of themselves infront of a big crowd so they can get a big crowd at the rest of their games.

Team IMO:

1. Webb
2. Donald
3. Delaney
4. Senior
5. Hall
6. McGuire
7. Burrow
8. Leuluai
9. Buderus
10. Peacock
11. Jones-Buchanan
18. Ablett
13. Sinfield

14. Diskin
12. Lauitiiti
15. Eastwood/17. Kirke
19. Burgess

17.Kirke/15. Eastwood
16. Bailey

Agreed, with the team. I think like Bulls used to be known for there four/five front rowers (were they named awesome foursome or have I just made that up?). I think Leeds could be known for bringing on Ali and Eastwood, on the 20 minute mark, these two could be massive game breakers for Leeds.

As for the result with it been the start of the season, I don't think Leeds will win as easy as expected. I still think in the end they will run out fairly easy winners.

Are you having a giggle?
The reason I came on was to post the first match thread of the year, this is what I get!
But yeah, that would be an ideal team, but I doubt we'll have everyone fit.
Should be comfortable winners, 48-6

Swap Buderus and Diskin I'll then go with that.

id go with frosties team and a 26-12 leeds win

Start with Disko with Buderus on the bench and i'll be surprised to see Eastwood in the 17, i also think it will be a comfortable Rhinos win.

No eastwood, and Diskin to start.

Webb
Donald
Delaney
Senior
Hall
McGuire
Burrow
Leuluai
Diskin
Peacock
Jones-Buchanan
Ablett
Sinfield

Lauiti'iti
Buderus
Kirke
Burgess

Leeds win 32-10

Even with a conservative prediction on the scoreline, the -20 handicap for us on skybet looks like almost a freebie.

Think we'll start with Bedsy with Diskin on bench - and probably no Eastwood (although i'd like to be wrong)

38-12 - Think it'll be tight for first 50 mins but, as is so often the case, we'll turn on the style towards the end.

(Also thinking i'll drop some on Ali to score at anytime @ 5/2 or Burrow @ 3/2)

Something like 24 10 to leeds in a game where nobody gets hurt would be my guess

Buderus on the Bench and Eastwood will play.

Eastwood is most likely 100% fit, Leeds just couldnt get it confirmed with a specialist in time for the Whitehaven game and therefore would not be risked in that one.

This season i would start Diskin every time. Buderus had a huge impact coming off the bench against Bulls. With Buderus' speed out of dummy half and Ali and Eastwood coming on that would well and truly destroy most teams.

Eastwood article.. www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... 03125.html

Eastwood article.. www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... 03125.html

Quote ="rhinoms"Eastwood article.. www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... 03125.html'" Amen to that!

Quote ="rhinoms"Eastwood article.. www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... 03125.html'" Amen to that!

Shouldn't this be Crusaders RL Vs Leeds Rhinos match thread?

Is it summer already?

Coming from Oldham, yes.
From anywhere else, no.

It'll be interesting to see if Leeds have any regard for the sport in general rather than their own season. Were this St Helens going there for the first game we would tone it down and win by a small enough margin to make it a moral victory for the home fans, given how important it is for the sport (Check our 4-0 hammering of them last season and our lack of effort away to Catalans).

But I suspect Leeds, the bullies they are, will just put the hammer down and leave a scoreboard operator trying to figure out why a football scoreboard won't go to three figures.

I'd be LOLing if you were actually serious here.

See also: Swinton Lions 10 Leeds 06 - 11/2/2001

GUFFAW

Curious, if Eastwood is fit in time for Crusaders and doesnt get some game time, when do people plan on throwing him in?

At home to cas or away to wakefield? I'd have thought getting some game time against Crusaders (no disrespect) is a better bet to get him some time on the pitch than either of those 2 games.

We also wont want to leave getting him game time until the Salford away game as then he wont be in the swing of it for the WCC.

I'd put him on the bench if he is fit in time for Friday and let him have 20-30 minutes and build it up from there in time for the WCC.

havent you missed something from this post....

Crusaders team to choose from.

1.Elliot Kear
2. Nick Youngquest
3. Luke Dyer
4. Tony Martin
5. Vince Mellars
6. Michael Witt
7. Rhys Hanbury
8. Ryan Ohara
9. Lincoln Withers
10. Jordan James
11. Jason Chan
12. Weller Hauraki
13. Peter Lupton
14. Tommy Lee
15. Jamie Thackray
16. Adam Peek
17. Rocky Trimarchi
18. Lewis Mills
19. Lloyd white
20. Gil Dudson
21. Mark Bryant
22. Ben Flower
23. Frank Winterstein
24. Antony Blackwood
25. Gareth Raynor

Thaler named the Ref for this one.. www.therhinos.co.uk/news/9616.php

Thaler named the Ref for this one.. www.therhinos.co.uk/news/9616.php

Does anyone know the official allocation that we have been given?

Of what? Potatoes?