Your stll doing nothing to convince me that a winger is what Leeds should be wasting money and overseas slot for.

Interesting that you again mention Vainikolo, as he was playing where the restrictions on overseas players are much more restrictive than they were. You now have less allowed. Not to mention he came at a time when the Aussie/New Zealand currency rate was much more appealing. Would you get a Vainikolo now? would you hell. Which is the point of why waste big bucks and an overseas slot on a winger, if you have the other areas covered in the team. Just not needed.

Your choice of language is a bit leading isn't it? I'd argue that Leeds shouldn't waste money on any position.

On the other hand, I'd argue that Leeds should be constructively and efficiently using money and quota spots for any position where the pay-off in improvement to the team is worthwhile. THe market dictates much of it. It comes down in the end to whether you feel, for example, that wingers of the right quality are harder to come by than front-rowers of the right quality. If there are more of the latter available cheaply and from this country, then the bucks can justifiably be spent on a winger. If the reverse is true then an expensive, overseas prop might be more appealing.

Let me make it simpler to understand then. When Saints were a dominating force through 2005-2010 (though lack of GF wins), and Ade Gardner was scoring bucket loads of tries, do you really think that a Manu Vatavei, Jarrod Hayne, or Tame Tupou, etc, would have scored any more than him in that side?

The point is, that in reality a lot of his tries came from an excellent centre in Lyon.

By the same token, we had a winger who scored a bucket load of tries and in all honesty was a distinctly average winger. However he had an excellent centre creating bucket loads for him. Is Mr Cummins still one of our top try scorers in history? did Marcus Bai who was far superior in every way to Cummins score at any better rate than Cummins when he replaced him?

True.

Big Les and even bigger Vaikona (who incidently coaches my mates lad at mini rugby in Oxford now), I remember well.

I think what some people forget is that when you have a guy like Les on the wing you alter the team pattern to give him the opportunities, it's not just a question of the team creating tries and an arbitary bloke on the wing flopping over (Saints could have stuck with Jonny Vegas if it was).

One of the reasons a team wins trophies is because it has players who can do something special - if you have a strike player on the wing who takes his chances when they come but every now and again does something extraordinary when you need it (one of the reasons I was dissapointed that Calderwood left was because he could do just that) - such as Donald blasting around Wellens, or Donald's amazing cross kick to McGuire against Cats in the palyoffs, then they are well worth the cash IMO.

Comapring Bai to Franny is unfair - especially on scoring record. Bai was a monster who came on a short contract when we were top of our game, Franny was a guy who served the club from 16 to retirement through one of the most difficult times in the clubs history, captained the team and played pretty much in every back position.

If they're [i[ibetter[/i[/i than what is otherwise available they [ushould[/u be signed regardless of who can adequately play that same position. Buderus of course recently proved that.

However, I'm not sure how much worth a 33 year old would be. I'd be more inclined to sign Williams (although his brother would be better still). BJB would probably need to make way and be shifted to FB (Smith will be moved on) and Chisholm would be promoted to the left wing......because, of course, Hall will be playing further in field at this stage: either centre or second row.



Half back should be more of a priority IMO. Apart from McGuire, we only have a little guy better suited to dummy half and a club legend that is too damn slow to be in the halves. Ward too appears to be best suited to LF. AND by moving Hardaker there we then only create another problem elsewhere....ALTHOUGH if we cover his present centre position with the afore mentioned Hall .....Hmmmmm !!!!!!

His brother? The Cronulla winger?

Nah...the other one

( that second rower guy who is built like a brick [iproverbial[/i )

Have you seen the two? I'd be suprised if they were brothers

Who knows ? Have you not seen "Twins" starring Arnie and Danny DeVito ??

It isn't the size difference which tells the Williams 'brothers' apart!

Next you'll be telling me that Anthony & Andy Farrell weren't brothers.

Minichello would be a fine signing, he would be probably the best fullback in the league if were to move here.

The problem would be getting him on the field. He has had enough time out to make me thing he wouldnt necessarily 'show his age' but its getting him on the field.

If we could get Minichello of this season it would be a fantastic signing, the best since Ali imo. If we could guarantee getting 20 regular season games + play offs from him then there is no reason why we shouldnt be moving heaven and earth to bring him in, we have a gap and he is a top quality plug for it, an improvement on Webb.

The obvious problem is we would very lucky to get that out of him and he would likely be looking for a 2 or 3 year contract where we could be stuck with a 35 year old expensive import, in a key position, playing very few games.

Agree with Nantwich, 6 & 7 are the priority if we're looking overseas. With no Burrow or Mags we looked clueless. Wouldn't say no to Williams though.

If any Leeds fan thinks an oft injured ageing Aussie full back is what this champion squad need they should go outside and slap themselves in the face.

FFS, we have Hall and BJB on the wings and Chisolm developing behind them. Why hanker for an Aussie winger?

To be fair, Minichiello has been an ever-present for the Roosters for the past two seasons along with this season so far. He did miss a lot of games between 2006 and 2009 however. He's having a stinker along with the rest of his team today though. Do Leeds need to sign a fullback assuming Webb is gone at the end of the season? I don't think it's a priority.


No they don't need to sign a winger. I do think GH may well be hankering for a signing or two however, if only to justify his down under jollies sleeve potential and to market ticket season sales next season to the rhinos t majority.

If Leeds are to sign a FB he will have to play like Webb i.e. an additional half back - Minichiello is not that sort of FB. If you did sign a "Slater type of strike FB" then you would have completely change the attacking structure. This would be OK if we were back in 2003 but we're not and our current half backs are far too set in their ways to change.

I agree with Keith - the front row should be a priority especially the hooker. The props we have Griffin, Bailey & Moore so one more would be good - I discount Peacock who will be even more ineffective by next season.

I too would like to see a prop or maybe even 2 come in - I believe Russell Packer and Sam Rapira are both off contract at the end of the year - Packer particularly would be good.
A real good 7 or 9 would also be good, although if Sinfield is staying at 6, I can't see us signing a 7. 9 is tough, because I desperately want McShane and Hood to be the answer, but I do have my doubts and certainly wouldn't turn down a Buderus calibre signing.

I agree with your views on Mini. Currently he's one of the best fullbacks in this NRL season.He's won everything, loads of SOO,Ausi internationals and Grand Finals under his belt. If he signs he'll be the same age as Buderus and age didn't stop Danny producing the goods (he's wanting to play for Newcastle next year as well!). Mini will bring vast experience to our inexperienced backline which has loads of potential. I remember when Buderus was signed there were same old comments about holding back Diskin and McShane but afterwards everybody wanted Buderus to stay. However we don't know GH's preference between Mini and Williams (it might be neither!) or whether Webb is leaving and if so where does BJB play. Finally if GH favours Williams I think that would also be a good signing. I want the Rhinos to continue to be World Champions with no down seasons (the Man U of Super League!)

I honestly cannot believe we are seriously interested in either of these. IMO just their agents using so called 'SL interest' to get a better NRL deal.

IF we were to get Minichiello it would remind me of the Mullins signing and we know how that turned out

Mini is in a totally different league to Mullins. He would be the best fullback in Super League!

That's massively disrespectful to Mini in terms of both ability and certainly proffesionalism.

Mini would rip it up in Superleague with the pedestrian kick chase and defensive line speeds.

What is true is that Leeds would need to adapt their one single attacking set play, as he is not as much of a ball handler as Webb - but I certainly wouldn't see this as a negative.

Would not be interested in either Williams of mini. Not what the club needs. Don't think it is comparable to signing of buderus IMO.

I totally agree Superted. The professionalism and experience he would bring to our relatively inexperienced backline woud be brilliant. In these respects I would rate signing Mini as on a par with the signings of Buderus, Granville and Furner who were all well into their 30's but were great value and successes with the the club.

Personally hope we sign neither, if we had to have one I would prefer the count.
Dont think the count is in the same league as buderus personally.
Whatever the coaching staff do I am sure they know what they are doing

I have faith in GH and the coaching staff and it will be interesting to see if the rumour turns out to be accurate. There's been no comment from GH yet.