The Rhino's have won the SL Grand Final and from numerous different league finishes since 2004, the common denominator in all of both our successes and our failures is how we have peaked as a side come play off time

These discussions have never occurred on these forums and in such large numbers prior to our win last season <from the lowest finishing position>

It is clear that the Rhino's know how to play to the SL format and also know how to win the week to week intensive play off games, those that sides finishing well above them on the weekly rounds in 2011 did not

In 2012 i would love the Rhinos to do a repeat of their 2004 season and go on to win the SL by a clear 9 points and then win the GF, But i would also accept a lower SL finish but with GF glory

We were peaking at the right time of the season though, we went into the playoffs in great form, first playoff game we had a tough Huddersfield side and smashed them 47-0.

Leeds beat us by two points, 26-24, thanks to a Sinfield kick late on. That could easily have gone the other way from 24-24, if Sinfield had missed the goal and Briers had kicked a drop goal the other end then 25-24 to us and everybody would be saying about how great we were that we could not only smash teams by 40 clear points but win the close ones as well. When it comes to those small margins it's not about preparing differently or who has peaked at the right time of the season but about how the game unfolds in the final few minutes.

The idea that we can't win in big games doesn't wash with me because it's not like we're a young inexperienced side....most of our players have won two Challenge Cups, Morley and Carvell have also won Challenge Cups with other clubs, Hodgson has won an NRL Grand Final, Hodgson and Joel Monaghan have played State of Origin and Joel has played for Australia. If we didn't know how to 'peak at the right time' then how come we went to Wembley twice and won twice.

Didn't we beat Leeds in 2010 when Leeds were garbage at Wembley, and then we got offended when the press said Leeds had bottled it, we said it was because we were that good nobody could live with us. Leeds have lost 5 Challenge Cup finals in recent seasons maybe they need to learn how to peak at the right time and how to handle the intensity of these big games....?

CBA to read all the bickering but as Padders stated, the Leeds play off loss was down to a dip in form and injuries. Let's not forget Monas was playing with a damaged shoulder. Granted he must have said he was ok to play but in all honesty were Leeds so good that night? We were poor with he ball and gave up possession too easily with handling errors.
It's an opinion and that's why we go on here. Embrace it and smile!

Do you seriously believe that we peaked for the Leeds game ?

You could see very early into the Leeds game that we didn't have our normal energy or intensity, we looked flat and lethergic from an early stage. Even if we had got past Leeds i'm not sure we would have had a great deal left for the final.

Leeds were far from brilliant that night, they took advantage of some lethergic and lazy efforts in defence from us i.e Bridge and Grix just to name 2 that cost us dear. If it wasn't for Matt King's usual high level performance it would probably have been a lot worse, King and Morley were 2 of our best performers and ironically they were our 2 players that have both tasted grand final success, Brett Hodgson obviously went off injured. You could see how much Morley wanted it with that late smash to get us the ball back.

Leeds were gritty but nothing more than that, they took the chances well that we offered to them on a plate. We contributed largely to our own downfall that night.

Major flaw in your argument Sally, is that in 1986, nobody was claiming that we were the champions.....We all fully accepted that we had got a good couple of months at the end of the year and that concluded with us winning a relatively MINOR trophy......Halifax were rightly lauded as that season's CHAMPIONS.

Now, unfortunately in my opinion, we have a situation where people accept a play-off winner as champions ahead of a side which dominates over a full season.

Yes, before anybody tries to correct me, I understand that we all know the rules before we start in February, but it still doesn't mean we have to accept it as the right thing.....Padders might be a ranter, but he has a point when he slates Leeds's right to be hailed as the League's best, when, in fact, they won a 4 week play off at the end of a 7 month season.

Well i have read it on here about the strenght and depth of the Wire squad,so it shouldnt be a issue if we dont have Mlyer for a few weeks.AT the start of the season.For me just put Ratchford in let him so us what he can do.He has said he wants to play there so now he as the chance.

Its now up to Ratchford to take his chance.

Whoever they put in, at least its happened now before they go to Aus and work on warm weather training which usually means ball handling and attack methods so the "new" halfback wont need to learn all over again

We've got Ratchford & O'Brien who will be more than adequate to play halfback & Grix who can also do a job. Great squad depth.

I think it will be Briers and Ratchford to start the season, SL experience to try and get us off to a solid start. Like most other wire fans i hope to see Gareth O'Brien get his chance at some point but obviously not because of an injury to someone else, he looks to be an exciting prospect that will take on the opposition line.

Thats the style style of half back i like to watch, he would compliment Lee Briers well, in our half backs we'd have organisation, a great passing game, a very good kicking game and a player that likes to attack the line.

Maybe this thread is irrelevant after all.

He's almost certain to get a run out on Saturday and he should be fully fit for Hull.

I didnt think he was listed in the 19? Not that it matters a great deal. I assume you are talking about Myler?

Wouldn't he have to be in the squad first

He is in the squad; he has been over there with them and TS has said that he could have a run out on Saturday

Myler isn't in the squad for the match according to the Guardian and our own Web site and I haven't seen anything that TS has said he might get a run out so is their a different match squad somewhere where Myler is even mention apart from being on the injured list

Thats great news thanks WW.

a) it was on the radio this morning he has made a much quicker than expected recovery;
b) WalterWizard has confirmed it.

Both are more up-to-date than the announced squads. HTH.

I'd be tempted to give Solomona a spin as well, stick a ferrari engine in his buggy and put him on the wing.

Must be the Sunshine ! Great news for us but wouldn't rush him back if not 100% it's not worth it and we have plenty of quality in that position as well !

Fantastic news, very quick recovery that!

The added health benefits of banging you best mate's missus!

Ooh, you went there!

It felt like too much of a sitter but, much like on a myler when ben pops out for some milk, why pass up an easy one