[quote="Uncle Rico":18mp4uft]"Better than Hayes" is a big shout, not sure that we've seen enough of either to be making that claim although you are entitled to that opinion. My hope is that they will each push each other for the starting slot and may the best man win[/quote:18mp4uft] I wouldn't say it's a big shout at all, unlucky Hayes got injured, but we've seen Leyland play a full season and seen what he can do. Fair enough we haven't seen the same amount of game between them, but from what we've seen Leyland has a better kicking game and takes the line on more. So from what we've seen he is 'Currently' a better player than Hayes. I Hope Hayes gets back to 100% and kicks on, i'm not saying Hayes is average or miles behind Hayes but taking the rose tinted glasses off with Hayes, Leyland has a better all round game so is better.

[quote="Or thane":3iw06ur2]I wouldn't say it's a big shout at all, unlucky Hayes got injured, but we've seen Leyland play a full season and seen what he can do. Fair enough we haven't seen the same amount of game between them, but from what we've seen Leyland has a better kicking game and takes the line on more. So from what we've seen he is 'Currently' a better player than Hayes. I Hope Hayes gets back to 100% and kicks on, i'm not saying Hayes is average or miles behind Hayes but taking the rose tinted glasses off with Hayes, Leyland has a better all round game so is better.[/quote:3iw06ur2] This is a fair assessment, until Hayes plays an equal amount of games to show us what he is all about Leyland is just ahead.

[quote="Wires71":1bpp5ac5]Leyland is a lot more experienced than Hayes (94 games vs 12) and 3 years older (23 vs 20). From what I have seen his kicking game is better and his goal kicking is worth a lot. He is now going to start for half a dozen games at least and it will be up to Hayes to displace him. Glad we signed him otherwise we would be looking at Ratchford in the halves.[/quote:1bpp5ac5] I have no issue with Ratchford playing halfback. He is like a John Woods. He is fit as he walks everyday for miles on top of his club training schedule.

[quote="rubber duckie":1twiv2m7]I have no issue with Ratchford playing halfback. He is like a John Woods. He is fit as he walks everyday for miles on top of his club training schedule.[/quote:1twiv2m7] I don't think I can compare Stefan Ratchford to John Woods. Are we not trying to establish a team capable of finishing #1 or #2 in the league and winning the Grand Final? Do you think that is possible with a 36 year old Ratchford at scrum half?

Tom Whitehead has played well in the friendly's. He has lot of skill and he's working hard. I know there is a lot of competition in his position but he's stepping up.

[quote="Or thane":26m2ok55]I wouldn't say it's a big shout at all, unlucky Hayes got injured, but we've seen Leyland play a full season and seen what he can do. Fair enough we haven't seen the same amount of game between them, but from what we've seen Leyland has a better kicking game and takes the line on more. So from what we've seen he is 'Currently' a better player than Hayes. I Hope Hayes gets back to 100% and kicks on, i'm not saying Hayes is average or miles behind Hayes but taking the rose tinted glasses off with Hayes, Leyland has a better all round game so is better.[/quote:26m2ok55] I don't want to come across as argumentative for the sake of it, but fair play to you and others that have "seen Leyland play a full season", I've only managed to watch him on three or four occasions, so the jury is still out for me and I suspect others, rather than rose tinted viewing either way. From what I have seen on [b:26m2ok55]limited viewing[/b:26m2ok55] they BOTH take the line on Leyland has a better kicking game and Hayes is better defensively. Hayes did really well pre-injury, well enough to keep Drinkwater at bay, let's see whether Leyland can do the same with his chance I'm open minded BTW not backing one against the other as I said previously may the best man win