Eeeeek.... What's people's thoughts? [url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_6802661,00.htmlCross is confirmed as suspended[/url as well as [url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/leeds-rhinos/leeds_rhinos_v_salford_city_reds_injury_crisis_leaves_no_first_choice_props_1_3155903Biffa joining the injury list.[/url

There's been no word from HQ about recalling Ambler.

Given that we're "more flush" in the backs, IMO this might be the game to give Webb a go at 6 and use Sinny to bulk up the pack a bit more?!


BJB

Smith
Watkins
Senior
Hall

Webb
Burrow

Kirke
Buderus
JJB
Lauitiiti
Ablett
Sinfield

With...
Hauraki
Pitts
Clarkson
McShane

Really struggling! There's also the option of playing Webb, BJB, Watkins, Smith, Hall. To free up Senior for the pack. But that would take Sinfield out of the pack unless you played McShane at 6 or 7.

It will certainly be a test of character!

Clarkson to start and Ali off the bench. I agree with Webb to 6 but would play Smith at FB and BJB on the wing partnering Watkins. I would tell Kirke that he is starting at prop and if his workrate is as poor on Friday as it has been so far this season, he will not play again for weeks regardless of the injury situation.

I would also remind them that they are allowed to hold onto the ball if the pass isn't on...

I think one of those two permutations has got to be looked at. We definitely need Kev back at loose to bulk us up a bit if we're not going to play any recognised props. Difficult decision would be should he play some academy props and risk the loss through inexperience, or should he play a team full of second rowers and risk the loss through a botched team. I'd prefer the first. It could pay off and we could end up finding some decent props to sure us up until we get some more bodies back.

Agree with smith at fb and Webb at 6. That would probably give us our strongest attack.

I agree with most of the above and prefer sinny at 13 but I don't think he would "Bulk up the pack" if you want bulk a second row to replace ablett and him at 13 would add more bulk.


Has Biff been confirmed as out I thought he was having his scans today

Are defence has bee crap I'm sure we can all agree?

Playing webb in the defensive line for 80 mins is

A defensive suicide and B is webbs body up to the task?

I think not.

Impossible call to make at this distance without knowing what's available outside the first grade squad. You may but I don't.

Time for what's left of the 1st grade forwards to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in. Jones-Buchanan and Kirke to start there with Hauraki, Lauitiiti and Pitts to spell from the bench. Big effort required.

What about...

Webb

BJB
Watkins
Senior
Hall

Burrow
McShane

Kirke
Buderus
JJB
Ablett
Clarkson
Sinfield

Subs;
Lauitiiti
Pitts
Hauraki
Smith

There is plenty of second row interchange options but not many out and out prop options, id go for young singleton on the bench. Could he put a good debut performance in like Rhys Evans did?

Leeds Rhinos v Salford City Reds 8pm
Ref: T Alibert
Touch Judges: M Wilson and M Kidd

Kirke, JJB and Ali have all played prop before.

Not that it instills me with confidence, but they have done.

Relax.

They are only playing Salford.

And risk the development of the back rowers in the academy. IMO the 19 man squad will be:

Webb, Smith, Senior, Hall, Burrow, Buderus, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Lauitiiti, Kirke, Watkins, Hauraki, Clarkson, Pitts, Jones-Bishop, McShane, Singleton, Burgess/Stewart.

If Burgess isnt fit, Stewart to replace him and a choice between Stewart, Pitts and McShane to miss out, Singleton needs to play IMO. If Burgess is given the OK, Pitts and McShane to miss out.

I would use Hauraki as a prop in this one. He really struggled last week, so i'd strip back his game a little and just instruct him to take the ball up hard down the middle.

You say that... We were 'only playing Quins' last week!!



P.s LOVING the new sig!! You do make me smile Keith! Could do with being a bit clearer though. I can't quite make out some of the numbers.

Could be a good chance to play Jay Pitts at Prop and also move Senior into the pack

Webb, Smith, Senior, Hall, Burrow, Buderus, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Lauitiiti, Kirke, Watkins, Hauraki, Clarkson, Pitts, Jones-Bishop, McShane, Singleton, Stewart.

As i said.

BJB
Smith
Watkins
Senior
Hall
Webb
Burrow
Kirke
Buderus
Jones-Buchanan
Ablett
Clarkson
Sinfield

Stewart/Pitts
Singleton
Hauraki
Lauitiiti

McShane
Stewart/Pitts

Pitts will make the 17 imo so i think Mcshane and Singleton will miss out.

Isnt Singleton the more Prop one out of the two? Stewart more of a SR or LF? Pitts IMO will make the 17 after his performance in the U20s.

That's a fair point mate i was going by Stewart being closer to a call up out of the 2 and the option of Hauraki or Ali doing a short stint at Prop.

All of this could blend into insignificance if either of the only gets a 5 minute sting like the Quine game! I think it will be Pitts, it would be singleton's first senior team start otherwise and I don't see BMD risking it.

Bearing in mind that we are playing Salford this week, but followed shortly by Saints and Wigan, so we need to sort out a few things in defence this week in preparation for the 2 big ones.

Firstly I would keep Sinfield at 6. because he is playing well where he is and is averaging 21 tackles per game in addition to organising our attack. Web with due respect will not cover this number of tackles at 6 (averaging 3 per game and his body won't take 20+ tackles) so we could loose team tackles by moving Sinny back to 13.

I would play Clarkson at 13 for as much of the game as possible with a target of 25+ tackles in a covering the centres role (young legs)

I would move Senior into the 2nd row with Smith at centre. The last time Keef was in the pack he had both a high tackle count and metres gained.

I would drop Kirke. We know what he can do and it is just not good enough so we need to know which of the other props can step up for the big games. I would have JJB, Ablett as props and spell Lauitiiti, Hauraki for impact and also have Pitts/Stewart and Singleton on the bench.

Good post....

I'd actually overlooked the defence roll of 6 (possibly cos it's usually Danny 'Can't Tackle' McGuire!). You raise a very good point about Sinfield's defence, and I'm going to say you've convinced me that's probably why we should avoid Webb playing there!

As much as I agree with you on Kirke, I don't thing he'll drop him though.

Some reasonable suggestions Juan but Abbo at Prop??
No offence mate he'd get murdered and as bad as Kirke has been lomger minutes there MAY see him replicate his Hull performance which imo was good comsidering the injuries etc etc.

I am sure you are right and he will not drop him. But I would. We know too well his limitations and we urgently need to know what the reserve players can do. So an outing against Salford would be a fairer way of finding out than one against Wigan or Saints.

I know its not ideal! But Abblet is a big lad and if he followed Buderus on his shoulder I think he could make some metres and he will put in the tackles. We are scrapping the barrel at prop but this is a game to see what the reserves can do.

How long is Burgess going to be out?