https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2021/07/26/ ... statement/ Done and dealt with, let’s move on.

https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2021/07/26/ ... statement/ Done and dealt with, let’s move on.

He basically threw a paddy when Agar called Gale out for some poor things he did during the Catalan away game, whilst the team were having their review meeting. The players sided with Agar.
At least it's been dealt with quickly, and hopefully Gale uses it as motivation to have a good end to the season.

If so club are 100% correct to take the captains spot away from him, no room for that in our squad IMO

Agreed. Suspect Prior will be the replacement. Big test of Luke's character on Thursday. Let's hope it brings the best out of him.

Hmmm. Personally I’m not sure where you go with this. Being captain of Leeds Rhinos is not a prima donna role, and once this cat has been let out…?

I suspect Luke is frustrated off the back of injuries, poor form and probably poor service from DH. You have to have a filter though.

He has always been a petulant b-tch. I hate the way he whines and moans on the field. It really annoys me. Clearly can't help it.

These things happen. Better he gets the frustration out of his system even if in wrong way. I reckon it will help his game and bring a response, Prior in as skipper, Luke can focus on his game. Full focus on building for rest of season.

Done, dealt with, apology given. A boundary has been set by management, which is a good thing and a message to the less experienced players that everyone is accountable with no exceptions. It’s good the club have made the statement as some of the rumours doing the social media rounds were beyond fanciful.

Let's face it, he's used to being the top dog where ever he's played and he's probably chucked the toys out of the pram elsewhere but has been too important to the club for it to have consequences.

There'll be rumours left right and centre about what's gone on. The one above RE Catalans performance could well be true. I was told the fall out stemmed from him getting wind we'd signed Austin. There seems to be a little bit of momentum gathering behind the Austin rumours now Sezer has been announced too. Pete Smith is basically the Rhinos second press officer and he's mentioned we're somewhere near the front of the queue to sign him.

Interesting times ahead!

Lukes performances have been patchy as well, along with the total brain fart at Salford when we really didn’t need players to get banned has probably led to some frustration from both player, coaching staff and possibly other players.

Lets see how he copes with it moving forward.

FWIW i thought he was dreadful in that second half against Catalans we really needed our captain and main play maker to stand up and control that game but he seemed more bothered about mouthing off at both the officials and our own players, very much reminiscent of his performance in the 2017 GF where he thought he was the nuts after scoring a drop goal in the SF

I hope it is the end of the matter but I'm sure Thursday will tell a lot i.e. whether he actually plays and if he does, what his performance is like.

Like most outbursts, if that is what happened, most likely a combination of factors behind it.

I do think he sticks it to his team mates sometimes - if it were me on the receiving end I’d not be enthusiastic about that.

It’s a cultural thing really, and he’s long in the tooth to change now. Maybe the player Leeds needed at the time was a vociferous shaker. Maybe now we have a better group of players who need something else, who knows.

I do know it’s hard for both parties to come back from having the glamour club captaincy stripped from you.

Things like these happen at all clubs in any professional sport. Club have dealt with it the right way and Gale has fully and publicly apologised which is good to hear. Big move stripping him of captaincy but this great club of ours has the highest level of standards which is why we’ve won so many trophies. I support the club 100 % on this. Time to move on and hope this leads to Gale stepping up his performance.

He’s is a professional sportsman, he will get over it. Move on, what’s next

Spot on here

Come on you should of been used to it with Sinfield and Maguire

needs to keep his hair on

Worst ever.

You lot had Danny Brough he would whinge in the warm up.

And Shenton at Cas who tries to impersonate a windmill the amount of times he waves his arms about at the ref.
But then again Leeds are the only team in the world who have these players.

Agree with this but do think it`s a kick in the teeth taking the captaincy away from him.
Others who have played much worse clearly take it on the chin and I agree it could be down to frustration with Gale who has had an up and down season.
I know it was wrong him throwing punches at the Salford game but he was hit late and had the forwards knee on his neck/face at the time.
Time to move on I guess.

Sinfield was fine, Mcguire I agree.

Yes ,but he may have lost the captaincy because the players were in disagreement with his actions .it has been claimed they were on Agars side in the bustup

Think a lot depends on how he comes back into the team. He has a year left on his contract after this season and at the moment staying regardless of the fallout suits both parties with the world cup possibly still happening. He needs to play and Leeds have no halves. If wounds don't heel he may walk in the summer especially if Austin comes in which may be the clubs way of nudging him out of the door. Its one that could go either way dependent on the players reaction and future behaviour. On balance it seems the club have managed it well and with integrity.

Quality action from a quality club - keep it in house but send a message out about who is in charge.

Gale is an overrated player with an enormous ego fuelled in part by his agent - a bit like James Ford at York. He looks OK in an era devoid of decent halves - Leeds don't let many really top young players leave - Danny McGuire showed who was real class in the 2017 final.