Squad for Crusaders (Friday):
Webb, Smith, Delaney, Senior, Hall, Sinfield, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Cross, Pitts, Lauitiiti, Ablett
Subs: McShane, Burgess, Kirke, Watkins, Jones-Bishop, Clarkson

Squad for Whitehaven (Sunday):
Ben Jones-Bishop, Michael Coady, George Elliott, Kallum Watkins, Jamel Chisholm, Stevie Ward, Rory Kettlewell, Kyle Amor, Paul McShane, Ian Kirke, Chris Clarkson, Jay Pitts, Callum Casey.
Subs: Liam Hood, Brad Singleton, Jared Stewart,


Kirke, Clarkson, McShane, Watkins, BJB and Pitts are down for both games. Has Kirke dropped down the pecking order? Imo he is behind JJB, Ali, Hauraki and Ablett, and that seems to be the case in McD eyes too as he is in the youngsters squad for Sunday.

Shame Hauraki yet again can not play.

wellerhauraki Twitter
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i just may give the crusaders a visit on friday night if that is the team to play. the squad on Sunday is less appealing for a 3 hour journey

I think kirke will get game time when Bm thinks of squad rotation when he can and who we draw in the challenge cup and when the rugby gods think we need injuries to naughty players

Lets hope Hauraki is putting in some OT with the pads and in the gym

Hasn't Kirke recently come back from surgery and rehab? I would guess he want's him to get as much game time as possible.

Surprised that the clubs own website declared Amor as outstanding in two games in preseason yet he doesn't get a look in for Friday, yet only 3 props in the squad.

Happy with that squad. Worth my £6 entry fee.

Probably not worth the liver damage though.

good laugh is Whitehaven

When it's best export is Jord I tend to worry.

Whitehaven should be a rout. They got smashed by Oldham and by the looks of things might be some competition for Skolars!

Im not sure about the whole squad travelling upto Whitehaven 2 days after the Crusaders game and wasting time doing the community work 2 weeks before the start of the season.

Why? Its a good thing, enhances team spirit and gives a helping hand to a community. All good for me.

Afterall, they'd only have the weekend off after the Cru game tomorrow.

I'm not surprised at all. He looked great last pre season and look out of hid depth when the real stuff started. I'd imagine he's down the pecking order for a reason. If and when he gets another shot I hope he's improved and he takes it.

Or they could spend the day in Leeds doing community work bumping up last minutes season ticket sales instead


Cannot counter your team sprit point though, that will help.

I doubt that'd happen. I mean everyone who wanted a season ticket [iwill[/i have one by now (if they can afford it).

I agree with what you said had this been a league match, but you missed the main point of what I put. We have a sqad of 19 players playing in the game, and only three props. I therefore would have thought as it is a friendly and he has "apparently" impressed so far that he would have been tested in that game.

Does playing academy rugby really push him back up the pecking order? or would playing well in this game be a better indicator?

Have you considered the fact that he's a local lad and that these "trips" were part of the deal when we agreed to sign him?
Of course injuries permitting the 13/14 names for the 1st 17 are pretty nailed on but i still would'nt rule out a couple of surprises breaking through.

Maybe McD has a visior Leeds only playing with 3 props. Reason being that we have ample talented back rowers all contending for places.

That could well be what happens, and to be honest perfectly understandable from a 17. But on Friday we are going with 19 are we not? and that been the case, the additional prop would seem worthwhile, especially considering that had Bailey been fit he probably would have been there in stead of one of the non props.

Wasting time?


Last year all the players seemed to be loving it up there, locals loved seeing them up there

will be a good bonding trip

Maybe so, but is that not what the army camp is all about?

Anyway crusaders look to be hammering the Rhinos line with some good defence keep them out. Still 0-0 after 13 mins, Burrow off for Blood bin with BJB replacing him. Webb to Scrum half BJB to full back - What a lot of southstanders have been calling for - well it now has its chance!

Anyone looking for updates follow the Rhinos on Twitter, good stuff so far. twitter.com/#!/leedsrhinos

Anyone looking for updates follow the Rhinos on Twitter, good stuff so far. twitter.com/#!/leedsrhinos

Leeds start 2nd half with Delaney in the back row with BJB and Watkins as a centre wing partnership, good to see Brian Mac exploring all options, bound to please remarkable rhinos that one

Any scores?

14-0 to Leeds as far as I'm aware.

would you believe it Leeds give away back to back pens for dissent, I hope McD gives the them a right blasting.