Absolutely. We won't turn from 9th to top 2 in one season but we do have the personnel IMO to be somewhere from 2-6 depending on a bit of luck with injuries etc.

I think Leeds look like the team to beat once again and I'd suggest that a bet on them for topping the table would be a pretty safe one, barring some sort of freak injury list.

We have plenty of reasons to be optimistic that this years brand of Rugby will be a lot more exciting though. After the torture of 09... I'll settle for that!

I was quite impressed with our performance yesterday. We looked pretty sharp when we turned it on and were the only side playing rugby for the majority of the game. Once we get up to full strength in the forwards and Orford slots into the side, we could well surprise the doubters this year. Good to see Koppy having a run out, don't think he's 100% yet but was looking solid. Not sure I agree with the slating of Sheriffe; agree that he wasn't particularly effective in attack but defensively was pretty dependable. Definitely room for improvement, which I do hope we see as he gets a couple more games under his belt.

I'd be a little concerned as a Leeds fan with the performance of their world class starting half backs, thought both were very ordinary.

Did anyone actually see what happened when Delaney strolled through for his try? I couldn't quite make it out from the other end of the ground, but it looked as though someone had turned their back in defense.

Were you the ones I over heard say "You know, I think that tigertot was right all along."?

As far as Deacs is concerned, that brings to mind that old saying about an infinite number of monkeys eventually typing the works of Shakespeare. 1-2 poor seasons doesnt offset his 8-9 excellent years.

I'm VERY worried

^^^ What he said.

And put one of said monkeys at scrum half with 16 world class palyers & eventually they will get over the line.

You cannot be serious.....can you?

Pre-season freindly buddy! Those 2 half backs have lead the team to back to back to back titles.

You're on a board that hosts tigertot - Deacon led us to shipping containerfuls of trophies and titles, but was "still never any good"!

I know I shouldn't have started it again but it's an illness. IIRC Deacon has led the Bulls since 2007............

Impressed with Kearney and L'Estrange. In fact all the newbies looked good. Of the "oldies" Wagga put in some huge hits and Koppy looked strong. I really like the look of Crookes too.

Some very dubious calls by Alibert indeed. Glad it was a friendly!

The team looked like a team, they worked hard for each other and were strong in defence too. It looks promising.

Was it just me or did some of the Leeds players look well out of shape? Lautiti and Burgess both looked to have gained weight, but in the wrong way? Its early days I know...

Lautiti is and always be a barge ar5e who has an aversion to training.

However, he does have sublime and unmatched skill that means it doesn't matter. he's a genuine game breaker and a joy to watch.

Burgess (the Leeds one) was very poor. Tried to do too much with the ball and his first three or four attempted off-loads resulted in turn-overs. I thought McGuire and Buderus were our most dangerous players.

I thought it was a dour game on an awful pitch. I thought the Bulls had the majority of posession and territory but i was never overly concerned they would turn it into an avalanche of points. on a refreshing note for you guys you appear to have finally landed a half back with some pace.

You sure about that?

Can you empathise?

Good pre season yesterday, hard work on a shocking pitch.

The ref did spoil it a few times with some strange calls but I quite enjoyed it.

I though we played ok when we wanted to. Again, L'Estrange and Kearney looked and I am looking forward to seeing them play with Orford. Good to see Reardon back in a Bulls shirt, thought he looked dangerous.

I hope Crookes is given time at centre because I rate him highly.

I though Buderus looked good for Leeds, as soon as he came on he created something. Don't agree with Maguire being one of the biggest threats yesterday, thought he was fairly quiet, looks to be carrying a bit of timber.

Not arf'. If only I had some talent we'd be virtually twins.

I honestly thought that we did really well against the Whinos BUT I really do think that we missed the organisational skills of Deacon - we certainly missed his field kicking & GOAL kicking skills.

Never the less - I think we will have a great 2010 Superleague season.

Ps a belated Happy New Year to everyone

I REALLY hoped that when Deacon left, you'd have followed him.

It's older than old now.

Saw one drop of the shoulder and go that made me think he could be dangerous!

One thing I did notice on Crookes was good defence. Also one good thing about a muddy pitch is it's easy to see who's been working loads and who hasn't, from the state of their shirts. Crookes' shirt was covered, whereas one or two others were half clean (Worrincy once again springs to mind).

If the coachs didn't notice. I'm sure the new GPS will show who did what in the stats. But if Worrlord had some sense he'd have swopped his pack with Langleys!

I'd be really interested to see the stats from this fancy system. But that's probably because I'm a bit of a loser for stuff like that

(and many other things if I'm honest)

Not a loser at all! I like gizmos gadgets and data related stuff as well, the point the coaching staff have to understand it gives part of the picture, not the whole picture when looking at the overall stats of a game. It can show up interesting annomalies but common sense should prevail in those cases.

The worry is, whoever looks after the website is involved, cause they don't have much of a clue

I expect you may pass on a few pointers on how best to use it to Steve at the fans forum in Feb Dennis...

I doubt I'll get chance,

cause Ian-R will have collared him re team selection and tactics!