Both still look pretty fit to me , and can do another 1-2 years comfortably. Sinfield and possibly a recruit can then hopefully be ready to take over……

Depends what the clubs aspirations are in the next 2 years, if it's winning the GF then I suspect our 6 and 7 partnership arent at that level.

I'd agree. We should be aiming at a player who brings the galvanising effect of a Croft or a Hastings. Not an easy task but if we want to be top dogs we're going to have to make a big signing who delivers.

Having seen both Ruan and Donaldson in a Bulls jersey this season I know for sure who'd I'd rather have.

and?........

Donaldson has been head and shoulders better by absolutely miles. Ruan just isn't up to it.

Leon Ruan is 19

James Donaldson is 31

Don’t know why Donaldson gets so much stick. He is fantastic value for money for a second choice squad player. I see no reason to not offer him 1 more year whilst likes of Field Gibbons and some extent Gannon and projects like Warren Ruane develop:

Can we do a swap Bentley Tetavano Fusitua for Chris Mcqueen. Fantastic player and consistent, easily one of the top 5 forwards in Super League.

we have way more pack options this year.donaldson is way down the pecking order.
and looking good in the championship is completely different to SL. not seen Ruan play so won't comment on him

Donaldson's a solid defender, and unlike some he plays close to his best every week. But he's just not a top SL forward. Ruan is raw as hell and might never make it, but he's got time on his side, and physically he's ahead of most. Whether he develops or not is down to him, but he's a low risk project signing, not someone expected to play many games this year or even next.

I dont think he does get stick, just recognising that he's not a first choice 17 standard when looking to compete at the top of SL, good squad player though and clearly a great attitude . Hes not a prop or a 2nd row either and is probably best as an undersized grafting loose.

My opinion on moving him on was more bases on the belief he would much prefer to be playing.

Think you're seeing a different game to everyone else Shabs.
Maybe the radio is misleading you....

Donaldson made more ground in one carry last night than Ruan did in two games for us.

Ruan may have youth on his side but that's it from what I've seen. Seeing him get outpaced by 40 year old Jake Webster was a lowlight.

Not seen him myself but sounds bit odd, as been getting big raps from coaches here……

Comparing a 31 year old seasoned Veteran and 19 year old rookie off 2 performances yeah great analysis. Ruan has plenty of time to develop into a valuable player, I like Donaldson as a professional and squad player but that's all he's ever been & going to be he doesn't get anywhere near our full strength pack now imo.

And Tindall must be a 'lowlight for you as well as he was outpaced by a 40 year old jake Webster as well? Both played started behind Webster and caught him so he offloaded for someone else to score. Game was already done by that point because Bradford had too many Leeds players that cost them game according to the die hard Bulls fans

Ruan won't get near your 1st team unless he changes his attitude.

That's not been an issue for some of the current first teamers.

For me I'd retain Austin and Tet in a lower wage. I agree about Donaldson in that he's been a grea servant for Leeds these last 5 years. He's played to his limit. However, his limit isn't high enough for where we want to be. Smith is on record for saying he wanted experienced depth, so he may fit in there, but isn't top 17.

On Sezer, there's a good player there somewhere. I don't think he impacts games as much as he should.

The key with all these retain/replace decisions is finding someone who can replace them within budget, and then them settling. That part is the difficult bit. The team needs to work in the pitch

I’ll probably be proved wrong by Ruan but he looked decidedly uninterested when he played for us and despite his big frame didn’t make any impact with any of his carries. Defensively he’s quite passive too. The games he had for us seemed to pass him by. It could be that he just doesn’t fancy it but the other Leeds players we’ve had this season have all at least tried to get involved. Some have done better than others. In order from best to worst we’ve had this season I’d say are Donaldson, Walters, Tindall, Johnson, Roberts, Ruan.

I think Ruan needs game time – probably at League 1 for a bit before he plays championship to build his confidence.

Wasn’t the same said about Smith when he was on loan at Bulls all them years ago?

He didn't look passive in the pre-season games - very physical with the ball but a bit all over the place in terms of understanding the game. I'd expect that would be his main aim wherever he plays, to learn the positional elements of his role. I hope he makes it but he's been signed to hopefully be a first teamer by 2025, not this year.

Good point, although Smith was marginally better.