[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