True.

But I've just this lunch time read how grateful Schofield is that David Ward took the *bold and risky* decision to play him at stand off for the first time.

How many times did Alan Sugar fail in his risk taking ? Not every decision will be right.....But when it is...... ! !
Or you could play safe.

Do you remember when (whoever the Leeds coach was at the time - Bell/Laughton?) took the "bold and risky" decision to play Francis Cummins at stand off for the first time?

That's what can happen.

Much better to stick someone who has represented his country in the centres than an untried kid IMO.

Hauraki to left centre then defensively we won't notice any difference.

Having had the opportunity to speak socially with several current SL players who have played opposite Keith this year, the general concensus amongst his peers is that Keith is as dangerous as ever and still head and shoulders above Delaney and most other centres in SL.

It seems that the more respected opinon of that nature I come across the more you fine people express the view that he's old past it and over the hill.

Southstander really doesn't change does it?

Absolutely.

.... Or Ali.....

Either would also offer more pace than we are accustomed to there these days..

Brian McDermott confirmed on the radio that Keith is aiming to returning for the play-offs.

Agree easy for us to say take a risk, when it's not our jobs at risk potentially. Smith has played for England at centre!

That's quite optamistic. Didn't it take watkins 4/5 months from similar injury?

Senior is without doubt the best British centre (if not outside back) to play in the SL era, and has been a great servant to Leeds.

Whilst the circumstances are a bit sad (but by no means unusual in the modern game), I think now is the time for him to retire. Hopefully he will realise this when he has had some time to reflect on it. It would be nice if he stays with the club to assist in the development of younger backs breaking into the first team. I see no point to a 'pay as you play' deal - surely we've seen enough to give Watkins the left centre shirt when he becomes fit. Who plays on the right remains unclear but this is really a separate issue. Senior retiring next season was always a no-brainer and the club shouldn't let emotional circumstances or appearance stats interfere with the running of the team.

Saints fan here.

A players thats given a lot of good sevice to your club and while not as god as he was ( and on his day he was exellent ) still can do a job.Never nice to lose a veteran player to injuries and i hope this isnt the the case and he can retire on his own terms.My son and I had a bit of banter with Keith a couple of years ago at an Al Murray gig in Mancherster and he was a cracking guy,made a bit of time for us and had a laugh.

If it's the end of his Rhinos career then as sad as it is i wish him well and agree he's been the best centre at Leeds and the best british centre in the SL era.
I hope the club can move on and give the player a decent send off but i would'nt renew his deal for next year unless it's a bit part role with some coaching duties thrown in.
Get well soon Keith a Leeds Legend.

Some sort of statue.....?

Where did you read that?

Because, IIRC it was Mal reilly who made that decision on the 1990 GB tour.

And there there are those who are paid to make those decisions.

Then there are those who post about those decisions on Internet message boards.

Lord Sugar, you are not.

How very astute of you to realise I am not Lord Sugar .... If you must know ( because, of course, you have no real idea who I am ), I am actually more successful than he.

I think this news now means that he won't play rugby league ever again - he hasn't been as good this season as he has in previous ones and Watkins is ready to step up and take the no. 4 jersey (when he isn't injured!)

Said in a course Brummy accent no doubt.

Substitute the 'u' for an 'a' and you just might be right. Wink.

Get well soon Keith, super league legend! Is he the only guy left to have played every super league season? I know Tony Martin played in the first season but he went to Aus for a while. Maybe Paul Johnson?

His defence may have declined a bit, but he's not that bad

I think at the end of last year there were 3 remaining (tvoc will probably correct me!). Senior, Cunningham and Newton.

Thought Paul Johnson aswell.

You still wouldn't want to make the mistake of running into him

Best centre of the SL era and a great servant to Leeds Rhinos and rugby league. I wish him the best in his recovery.

A tough decision on whether to release him, his attack is still one of the best in SL but his defence is not too good at the moment. The rest might do him good, we will have to see what the squad situation is next year, ideally Delaney will be in the second row and thus there is Smith and Watkins and the choice of either Senior or a new signing.

I'd like the full strength backline this season to be:

1. Webb
2. BJB
3. Watkins
4. Smith
5. Hall
6. McGuire
7. Burrow

With Hardaker pushing to get in the squad.