It was never going to be a free flowing affair on that pitch, even less so when you consider it had been narrowed by about a yard on each side. But the team looked hungry and played well as a unit. Certainly looking forward to Orford being added to the mix. I think some of the criticism of Sherriffe is a little unfair. He got through quite a bit of work and made some good catches. In fact the only ones I recall him missing would have been impressive takes for any player to make.

There's still some work to be done on the attacking side of things but it's mainly down to players getting used to how the new guys play and intergrate within the team and that will come with time

All in all I thought today was a good run out for the team. Bit more composure might have even seen us steal the result. But as it stands, I'm looking forward to the 2010 season more and more

Sheriffe = The New Platt


I never thought he looked good today, but I also didn't think he looked bad. Certainly nowhere near as bad as his performances last year. He wasn't breaking tackles or anything, but he put plenty of work in. The only thing I remember putting my head in my hands about was the kick near the end that he tried to palm nearer the sideline, when unfortunately he was already next to the line, so he just kind of palmed it into touch.

Quote ="6Iestyn6"Brett Kearney has just done something that we haven't sden at Bradford for yearrs, a running stand off as he went for the gap and made a good 50m before a grubber found touch with just a bit oo much weight behind it. Still no score here. Just taken from another forum.'" That was me see here -----> www.totalrl.com/index.php?showtopic=195513

Quote ="6Iestyn6"Brett Kearney has just done something that we haven't sden at Bradford for yearrs, a running stand off as he went for the gap and made a good 50m before a grubber found touch with just a bit oo much weight behind it. Still no score here. Just taken from another forum.'" That was me see here -----> www.totalrl.com/index.php?showtopic=195513

sheriffe was totally gash must have done about 800 yards sideways and 10 yards forward,must agree l'estrange,kearney & reardon,halley,menzies all looked outstanding.forwards put down a good platform for half backs to perform.on another note hope we're not going to see the aussie style of trainer on the pitch every time team attacks,fat boy willie on every 2 mins

Sounds like a promising start to 2010.

My fear remains that we are still a couple of quality backs away from challenging.

Agree with everyone else L'estrange made a lovely break and had a good game and Kearney looked good but should have give it to Menzies on the inside with that lovely break but i'm really optimistic about next year and Reardon played really well but Leeds looked rusty but that was also down to our defence today.

I'm sorry but Sheriffe was gash. I won't condemn him until we're well into the real season, as I hope he can still find form. Imo he needs to get the bread and butter stuff right before he tries finding gaps by running across the pitch 63 times.

No, I can't agree with that. I agree with Diligaf in that it was only the fielding of the kick at the end that caused any consternation. He is an a position we need to strengthen but saying that is unwarranted as he hit a lot of hard yards in our own half.

However he does need a big season

I do think Willie Pochings piled the timber on though

Where are all those who were slating Reardon's signing as rubbish?

Speaking as one who was chuffed at the signing, and still am, I just wondered...



As for Sherriffe, can't fault the effort and he certainly wasn't total pants, but can't help but think his wing is going to be seriously targetted this coming season. Guess we would have had Walker there but then no Orford...lets hope we got it right there?

What DID seem to be missing, sad to say and IMO, was an on-form Sam Burgess? I suspect had he been playing we would have been over their line more often, since Leeds' try-line defence was pretty damn good I thought and needed something special to break it?

I though Donno looked highly promising again? Like that offload that fooled everyone? And how he ducked under their guy and nearly broke through?

Having had time to reflect on today, the main thought that stays in my mind is how bloody refreshing to see some new faces and some new ideas. I honestly don't think I could have stood another season of Deacon and Newton to be honest. I was discussing that with the guys stood around me and we all agreed. I am SO pleased to see what L'Estrange and Kearney seem to be bringing, and can't wait to see them link up with Orford. And Hall will stiffen up the pack no end I think...Sir Daniel Gartner has returned?

In fact, what sticks in my mind most was we saw a team again. We may not regain the heights this year - that's a big ask - but I am more optimistic for the future than I have been for ages.

Absolutely. We won't turn from 9th to top 2 in one season but we do have the personnel IMO to be somewhere from 2-6 depending on a bit of luck with injuries etc.

I think Leeds look like the team to beat once again and I'd suggest that a bet on them for topping the table would be a pretty safe one, barring some sort of freak injury list.

We have plenty of reasons to be optimistic that this years brand of Rugby will be a lot more exciting though. After the torture of 09... I'll settle for that!

I was quite impressed with our performance yesterday. We looked pretty sharp when we turned it on and were the only side playing rugby for the majority of the game. Once we get up to full strength in the forwards and Orford slots into the side, we could well surprise the doubters this year. Good to see Koppy having a run out, don't think he's 100% yet but was looking solid. Not sure I agree with the slating of Sheriffe; agree that he wasn't particularly effective in attack but defensively was pretty dependable. Definitely room for improvement, which I do hope we see as he gets a couple more games under his belt.

I'd be a little concerned as a Leeds fan with the performance of their world class starting half backs, thought both were very ordinary.

Did anyone actually see what happened when Delaney strolled through for his try? I couldn't quite make it out from the other end of the ground, but it looked as though someone had turned their back in defense.

Were you the ones I over heard say "You know, I think that tigertot was right all along."?

As far as Deacs is concerned, that brings to mind that old saying about an infinite number of monkeys eventually typing the works of Shakespeare. 1-2 poor seasons doesnt offset his 8-9 excellent years.

I'm VERY worried

^^^ What he said.

And put one of said monkeys at scrum half with 16 world class palyers & eventually they will get over the line.

You cannot be serious.....can you?

Pre-season freindly buddy! Those 2 half backs have lead the team to back to back to back titles.

You're on a board that hosts tigertot - Deacon led us to shipping containerfuls of trophies and titles, but was "still never any good"!

I know I shouldn't have started it again but it's an illness. IIRC Deacon has led the Bulls since 2007............

Impressed with Kearney and L'Estrange. In fact all the newbies looked good. Of the "oldies" Wagga put in some huge hits and Koppy looked strong. I really like the look of Crookes too.

Some very dubious calls by Alibert indeed. Glad it was a friendly!

The team looked like a team, they worked hard for each other and were strong in defence too. It looks promising.

Was it just me or did some of the Leeds players look well out of shape? Lautiti and Burgess both looked to have gained weight, but in the wrong way? Its early days I know...

Lautiti is and always be a barge ar5e who has an aversion to training.

However, he does have sublime and unmatched skill that means it doesn't matter. he's a genuine game breaker and a joy to watch.

Burgess (the Leeds one) was very poor. Tried to do too much with the ball and his first three or four attempted off-loads resulted in turn-overs. I thought McGuire and Buderus were our most dangerous players.

I thought it was a dour game on an awful pitch. I thought the Bulls had the majority of posession and territory but i was never overly concerned they would turn it into an avalanche of points. on a refreshing note for you guys you appear to have finally landed a half back with some pace.

You sure about that?

Can you empathise?

Good pre season yesterday, hard work on a shocking pitch.

The ref did spoil it a few times with some strange calls but I quite enjoyed it.

I though we played ok when we wanted to. Again, L'Estrange and Kearney looked and I am looking forward to seeing them play with Orford. Good to see Reardon back in a Bulls shirt, thought he looked dangerous.

I hope Crookes is given time at centre because I rate him highly.

I though Buderus looked good for Leeds, as soon as he came on he created something. Don't agree with Maguire being one of the biggest threats yesterday, thought he was fairly quiet, looks to be carrying a bit of timber.

Not arf'. If only I had some talent we'd be virtually twins.