Wondering who you think will take McShane's place at hooker?
Sinfield?
Aiton?
Burrow?
Maybe even Lunt back?

Burrow will start with Aiton on the bench, ala most of Lunt's time at Leeds.

I agree Printer can't see Mc putting Mags or Burrow on the bench.

Watched Aiton last night for PNG. Nothing that impressive. Hit n miss tackling and variable accuracy in his dummy half distribution. I know PNG had a mare of a first half in particular, but even some of the more basic aspects of hooker play seemed to elude him. I know it is difficult to base an opinion on one game, but I didn't see anything Leeds should be interested in!

Pete Smith has tweeted that Leeds are to announce P Aiton signing later today, I like him, he's been good for us.

Official: www.therhinos.co.uk/news/21803.php#.UnjKa_mpWSI

Official: www.therhinos.co.uk/news/21803.php#.UnjKa_mpWSI

Quote ="craigizzard"Official: www.therhinos.co.uk/news/21803.php#.UnjKa_mpWSI'" Meh overload

Quote ="craigizzard"Official: www.therhinos.co.uk/news/21803.php#.UnjKa_mpWSI'" Meh overload

Bai and Aiton may both be from PNG - that's where comparison begins and ends, Bai was an outstanding player. From what I saw of Aiton last night he is far from outstanding, average at best.

The hooker role is one of the most pivotal on the pitch, putting an average player in this role just highlights the aspirations of our CEO.

PNG played better with Wabo at dummy half.

Well he' here now so let's get behind him. Hope we use him as a full starting close to 80 min hooker.
Welcome and good luck

Well said he is a Rhino now therefore we support him. It is not possible to judge a player from 1 performance, especially one where his team had no direction from either of the half backs. IIRC he created a very good PNG try last night.

How Fatboy can question our CEO's aspirations after he has steered us away from oblivion to 1 challenge cup, 3 WCC titles, 2 League leaders shields and 6 titles is beyond me

You know what - you're right. He is who we have.

...and what the fekk do I know? When I found out we'd take Lunt on loan I had much the same apathy, but the end of the season I was screaming for his signature.

I have become increasingly disillusioned with our CEO of late and feel his attentions recently are focused elsewhere. His past record is unquestionable, where his future aspirations lay is a matter for questioning.

I hope the same is true this time. At least we all have a good reason to get behind PNG on friday now (apart from them being massive underdogs and a win for PNG could help England). Could it be possible that the south stand could shake the kiwis up a bit?

Given the article on the Rhinos website GH seems to be focused on the re-development of Headingley at the minute.

Player of the year at Wakefield last year.

Hope he does well for us goes without saying but still unsure about the whole deal especially a 3yr contract!

Paul Aiton will do a very good job for you.
He rarely misses any tackles and he tackles hard, he is a full 80 minute player and will run his blood to water. This season he regularly took a break by playing at loose forward. His distribution is good enough and when he's running himself from dummy half he is a threat.

Hope he doesn't mind long spells on the bench.
Think we will see a lot of sinfield switching between 7 & 9 next season.not happy losing mcshane but wish him well now here's here.

Doubt he'll need to showcase that stamina for about 3 years.

Who knows things might change

with a proper hooker signed I would expect him to be starting. I would now expect to see burrow start at 7 or adding impact from the bench as in 2011

the reason McShane was dropped was because his defence was poor for a hooker, while he didn't offer the same going forward as Burrow.

With Aiton now starting at hooker, we can afford to have Kev & Danny defending out wide, keeping them fresh as they get through far fewer tackles. With Sutcliffe ready to step into the halves for poor form / injury, and Stevie Ward coming into the BR, we have good cover all round for our pivots.

Meaning our best side now is:

1. Zak Hardaker
2. Ryan Hall
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Joel Moon
5. Tom Briscoe
6. Kevin Sinfield
7. Danny McGuire
8. Brad Singleton
9. Paul Aiton
10. Jamie Peacock
11. Brett Delaney
12. Carl Ablett
13. Stevie Ward

14. Rob Burrow
15. Kylie Leuluai
16. Ryan Bailey
17. Jamie Jones-Buchanan

Starting the season with a proper number 9 has to be progress on last. Let's hope he turns out o be a shrewd acquisition.