Essential IMHO that we start with Lunt on the field.

Agree, would like to see burrow used from the bench that worked so well in last years GF.

Top effort by lunt against Wigan on Friday. Put some hits in on defence

Essential because he tightens up the defence around the ruck and when in posession we have direction and some organisation. No coincidence that the pack was so dominant in the vital first quarter.

Some good defence as well, think It was JJB flying over to help out in defence on the right hand side.

Completely agree.

For me Ward would have to miss this one out. Burrow to bench and DM back.

Lunt gives us much more than he gets credit for.

I think whoever misses out will be unlucky.

Regarding ward, was imPressed with his attitude. Made a mistake and went hunting to redeem himself, his head didn't go down at all.
Also he hits in the tackle harder than his stature suggests

Is Danny McGuire 100% fit ????

Lunt handed out at least 5 meaty big hits on Friday, he was really fired up.

I think he has made a difference at 9 and I hope we retain him for next season. Can't see it though. Paul Anderson would get a quality hooker back in his side for next season.

He hasn't looked it to me for the last few weeks, hasn't looked 100%

Depends if Lunt wants to go back. Yes he is contracted to hudds but no point retaining someone who doesn't want to play for you

some difficult choices for McD



Is it conceivable that McGuire should start on the bench in palce of young Ward.

For me its cklarkson who unfortunately misses out with Mags at 7 Lunt at 9 and RB off the bench.
Ideally it would be Sinny at 13 with DM and RB our half backs and Lunt at 9 for the 80 and Bails at interchange Prop but Mc wont go that way.

I spoke to Lunt a few weeks back and said I hoped he was here next year. He said something along the lines of 'thanks, but don't tell me...tell Gary.'

Having said that I would have thought the ball is in Anderson's court.

That would be my choice.

I thought he was very good in the first 15 mins last Friday. His tackling was solid early on and really put himself about.

It's a no-brainer. That's why it probably won't happen. Depends which player is picking the team this week.

True ! but for me it more than that.

He took our pack down the pitch in an organised way that set a platform for us to be dominant for much of the first half and prevented Wigan for gaining any sort of attack until after the break.

No chance. Not in a GF that is going to be intense, close, and reliant on good defence. Clarkson has looked very strong coming on lately, infact the coach is leaving it far too long to bring him on.

Would be mad to drop that extra strong forward for this game.

Spot on for me, Gotch.

How was the Vulcan by the way ? A proper front rower......not like these pansy Tornadoes who [ucould[/u also play at being wingers (I believe the last F1's have been retired ?)

It's a tough call....but don't think we can afford to think just defence against Warrington. Briers will cause us too many problems in unlocking our defence and causing panic with his kicks. Warrington will not be held to just two tries.

We need as many creative players as possible to complement the heavy grunt. Ward should figure (his defence is good enough). Maybe include Clarkson at Kirke's expense ?

Given his performance over the last few weeks, your personal crusade against Kirke is getting close to delusional.

FWIW Kirke has a better average gain this year than Clarkson and gets in more offloads, as well as giving away less penalties, missing less tackles and making less errors.
Clarkson works very hard in defence, but all other indicators point to Kirke being a better option.

You just don't seem to understand what 3 championship-winning coaches do...that Ian Kirke is a steady and integral part of a successful Rhinos team.

A McGuire at 75% is better than no McGuire at all!!

There's a reason the last 2 years we have struggled in attack when Maggsy hasn't been around. As much as we'd miss Sinfied for his organising, we equally miss McGuire for what he creates. Hi can break any team down and we are a poor attacking team when he isnt on the pitch. With Fridays defence and McGuire back Id go into the game with no worries. Thats not saying I expect to win btw, thats just saying we are equals.

About time this season at least..... if only Singleton had been afforded the same repeated opportunities.

I would be interested to see the evidence of fewer ( not the gramatically incorrect ' less ' ) missed tackles and penalties conceded than Clarkson. Not what I would associate said player being much guilty of.

I did state " maybe " incidentally.

Kirke is a safety first option: not sure we can depend on that to beat the creative, Briers led, high scoring, unpredictable Warrington team.