How has he not got his own thread yet? What a game he had.

Yeah, he had a quality game. Both of his tries were top class, if Solomona wasn't injured I believe his perfectly weighted kicks - if he could keep it up- would be a great combination of Tadulala's timing, he didn't seem to rush, he knew exactly what he needed to do.

Our best back this season without a doubt.

Before his injury I would have said Nero edged it, but I'd agree Semi is on pole now. But Ben is making up ground fast too?

For my mind, he is very much in the Tevita Vaikona mold.

He doesn't have blistering pace, but is always ready to do the hard yards up the middle to rest the forwards. As has been mentioned, I think his positional sense for a winger is very good and rarely overuns the ball from the Centre.

Again, one of those people who doesn't always get the plaudits he deserves. It was typical of him to play down his role in the win when interviewed by Sky, rather concentrating on the team performance.

That's just what I said to my wife yesterday

Jeffries needs to find some consistency before he gets in the running IMO.

I like how Tadulala gets himself involved in play and helps out the forwards on nearly every set. Vaikona-esque.

Tadulala is a very under rated winger.

Absoultley, He's easily the best wingman in Super League. Donald is fantastic too, but he's like twig and often gets pummeled. Semi is the man and he doesn't take any and sticks up for his buddies too.

He doesnt look massive but he take defenders back with some force, not sure about him been the best winger in the league but he is very good.

He's probably the hardest working winger in the league.

What about Mr I Run Sideways Raynor?

Will Jefferies be the same player when Deacon comes back.

Maybe not if he has to revert to #6 he won't, I'd suggest? Sam's point about consistency is surely spot on, mind, but he seems to look more comfortable at #7?

The very interesting scenario of what happens if Rinaldi's contract is extended raises its head, given he can play in the halves too?

That's what I was getting at. I hope Deacon isn't brought straight back in just because he's back fit.

... Not a patch on Ryan Hall...

See no reason why this should not happen anyway. Covers multiple positions for injuries.
Perhaps not great spondooliks he's on. and what an outstanding game he played friday under the circumstances. Do consider the problems that he might have had, and made light of.
1. Not up to SL quality after a long term out
2. Not up to SL fitness levels for the same reason
3. Just a week to learn the Bulls playbook (No jokes please, I know them all)
4. Same for finding out who he was actually playing with
5. Personal confidence in playing league leaders away

So whats to think about?

Yup. Add to that he seems a great bloke too.

I don't actually mind Ryan Hall.

True, I like him.

As I Understand it, Quins lost him under similar circs as we lost James Evans, and we're similarly irked by the RFL's incompetence. So swings and roundabouts on that one in the end, it seems.

unfortunately Cant see deacon being left out if fit. Jeffries is playing a lot better at halfback and sykes' kicking is improving steadily. despite the critiscm last week platt looked very good at against saints and one knock on apart had a good game. With nero due back this week theres no reason why sykes cant stay at standoff with platt covering the over spot. problem is can we afford to have both deacon and rinaldi on the bench?. might leave us a little light on the interchanges.

Deacon's either fit or he isn't. If he is, the issue for Mac is he either starts, or doesn't play. There is no point at all in having Deacon on the bench, none.

agreed. dont think macca will have bottle to leave him out entirely though, despite jeffries looking much better at half and sykes playing well at s/o. Fully expect sykes back into and platt missing out next week with deacs/jeffries halves again.

My problem with that halfback pairing is that it has not worked well at all. If the only reason it didn't work was because Deacon was carrying a knee injury then I suppose we could try it again but if it didn't work because Jeffries is not a stand-off then we should leave the pairing as it is