Would you rest anyone before the final just to make sure they dont get injured?

Personally I would have a look at it, a bit like John Kear did in 2005 and rest one or two key players.

Strong as we can this week but if we lose then rest loads for Catalans cos 4th will be gone, if we beat Cas then a much tougher decision to be made

even if you do lose this week hull go to warrington next so you'd expect hull to lose then it'll be up for grabs for 4th again. don't think you can afford to put all eggs in one basket...

I think Senior and Buderus might be getting a week off this week or next. No more than that though IMO.

Do we actually want to finish fourth though? The dubious reward for that is an away trip to Wigan...all a win there will earn us is a week off (not always a good thing, although maybe this year it will be with Wembley)

Might be an easier route to start from 5th? I know we won't get any second chances and its knockout rugby all the way, but a home game against Cas/Crusaders, followed by a potential trip to Hull (if results went to form) seems more appealing to me.

If we came through those games, our fixture would be subject to club call, but it would anyway even if we finished fourth and won at Wigan...

No, resting players before a big game very rarely works imo

Keep everyone playing together, getting better and keep the momentum going

Yes.

Mathmatically Leeds could finish anywhere between 2nd and 7th dependant on results.

Traditionally making the Challenge Cup Final has a detrimental effect on a team's results. Without studying who Huddersfield and Hull KR have left, both are two points behind, the former with a better points difference than Leeds the latter with a worse one.

Leeds could realistically finish anywhere between 4th and 7th. If Leeds want a run from 4th or 5th they will have to earn it first.

Peacock and Eastwood played injured in the semi, it would be sensible for them not to play injured this week

Err, no it wouldn't, we would be at home for Week 3 Semi and whom we play would be up to the placing of the sides who are left in week 3 from week 2!!!

Would we though? Wouldnt we still be subject to club call, if Saints or Warrington (who would get the club call if we had won at Wigan) decided to pick us?

BUT... would anyone pick us given a choice?

Yes, I know that, but that is not what you said. You said "...but it would anyway even if we finished fourth and won at Wigan..."

If Wigan win Week 1 they will play at home and have the Club Call but if we beat them week 1 we get a home draw for the semi and play whomever the final positions dictates we play.

I have said it before, it is easier IMO to win from 1st to 4th under the new system and harder to win from 5th to 8th.

Peacock needs a week off as he is struggling with a back problem. Might be tempted to give Hall a rest given the amount of time he's played injured this season, it's not like we don't have cover for the wing now.

Opps, you edited after I quoted.

The Club Call only applies to the team that finishes in 1st and only if they win in week 1. If they lose they lose the club call and have to go away for the semi final (assuming they win at home in week 2). The two sides that win in week 1 get a home draws in week 3.

The week 1 winners earn home advantage in week 3. The highest placed week 1 winners gets the club call choice between the week 2 winners.

If Leeds win at Wigan in week 1 they cannot earn the club call choice but they cannot be the subject of it either.

Glad you understand it TVOC - I think they should have something simple like erm... erm... erm... ah yes, a straight knockout competition between the top eight, 1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5 or would that be too simple?

Ah right, my bad, i misunderstood how clubcall works i think

Too complicated for me, I've given up trying to figure it out. I find the element of uncertainty re who we'll play is quite exciting, a bit like the draw for the CC.

It would help if the play-off system was on the Super League website, then maybe it would be easier to understand...not much to ask, surely?? Jeez....

Rest Sinfield, McGuire, Burrow, Peacock, Lauitiiti, Hall and a few others if you wish. I'll not be complaining.

Much too simple although that was Premiershiptastic for around twenty years between the mid 70's and mid 90's.

I don't like the new system and still think the best format remains the first one adopted in '98 with the top 5, where each place mattered (although 3rd turned out to be a bit of a bogey spot.)

With the increase to 14 clubs and no relegation though I accept that the play-offs had to be extended to keep interest going.

I'd play

Webb
Donald
Delaney
Smith
Hall
McGuire
Burrow
Leulaui
McShane
Bailey
Jones-Buchanan
Clarkson
Sinfield

Lauititi
Eastwood
Burgess
Ambler

Heading into a final you want to build some momentum. You also want to give your key players in the middle of the park, who haven't played together much lately, some more time to get back into the groove.

Strongest available 17 should be selected IMO - although where possible key players could be given some bench time during games.

I think at most 2 rested, or given much reduced game time. Bluey will have 15 of the starting 17 sorted I'd imagine. people like Diskin, Ali, Eastwood if they are in the plans need some match fitness.

I'd start with Diskin & Leuluai, with peacock and Buderus on the bench.