As the man who set the platform for the winning culture throughout our golden decade you just have to trust Kev to make the correct decisions wrt playing personnel at the current time.



As long as we end up with the right players at the right times then Im happy in this instance to give him a bit a bit more leeway on the subject, especially with the covid fallout and current circumstances in constant flux.

Couldn’t agree more

Wonder if we're looking at some options from rugby union?

I hope not if its for the front row.

I think we should stay well clear ofUnion players. Different game completely especially in the forwards. Too big and slow for SL and we would only be able to attract 2nd rate players due to amount top stars earn in Union. The days we could attract top Union stars are long gone now.



I am sure that we are talking to someone we need to be patient!!

What makes you think that? Can’t see it at all personally just because it’s a totally different game being a prop in union

if scrums ever come back and want to win one against the feed ?

Agree it is totally different, however if you were looking at a Union player to play prop then it would probably be a number 8 or back row player. Physically they would be the best fit for the size and speed required to play league. Personally i think if you wanted to transition playing prop in league wouldn’t be overly difficult to pick up.



Another poster mentioned being slow. Not sure I agree on that, some of the back row players would easily have the speed, ball carrying and tackling ability to do league. However, strongly agree you wouldn’t be able to attract a top Union player to come and play league. You earn more in Union, the international game if you are at that level isn’t even comparable and you probably live in the south or London and wouldn’t want to move to the north. Sale sharks and Newcastle falcons being the only two Prem clubs in the north.

I'm just asking the questions. That's why I'm here.



Hey! I'm just putting it out there. Just putting it out there - creating debate yeah?

Yeah that’s absolutely fair enough I personally was just asking if you’d heard anything that’s all.

Agree an 8 would be best suited. I remember back in my late teens I played both codes for a few years and one lad I played with in union was brilliant as a forward funnily enough as an 8 but he was really poor at League. He just couldn’t going which was such a surprise to me as he was so so good at union. Just a personal experience of mine

I agree I've played prop in rugby union and would be nowhere near the pace for rugby league we are strong for scrums and line outs rucks and mauls but no where near the pace for league.

You would need a back rower anywhere from 6,7,8 joshua tuisova would be a good person to see in league youtube him.

Yes Tuisova is an incredible player. In terms of the back rower I would want in a dream scenario it would be Peceli Yato from Clermont who is also Fijian. Just the money involved is ridiculous, especially if you play Union in France where the salary cap is fantasy land.



I know there are a fair number of Fijian born players playing in the NRL. We could always look at some younger Fijian players to come over but they would need to learn the game so always a risk. Interestingly do Leeds have any history with Fijian players? I know some people have really good knowledge of historical teams and players for Leeds

I think any Union player who would be fit enough to play in the middles at league would simply be out of reach salary wise. Also with the odd exception only backs manage the transition to league. Having played prop at Union I could not hack it when I played odd few games of league and that was when league was so much slower than today.

I think people forget how much more technical Union is in the forwards with proper scrums and line outs. Generally Union is played by bigger men, these days even scrum halves can be 6 ft and 15 stone. It’s basically a different game so crossover is not easy either way.

Its a completely different game in the forwards. While in principle both games are professional and levels of overall fitness should not be an issue the forwards role is hugely different in each game. In union for the majority of forwards it is size strength and technique in scrums mauls and rocks that is important. If you carry the ball into contact 10 times and make 15 tackles this would be called outstanding workmate.

In League this could be 20 hit ups and over 40 tackles every week for the top performers. In principle it could be done and there would perhaps be some eye-catching carries from a big union convert but how many gaps would be left when they failed to complete repetition tackles or get back in the correct place in the defensive line quick enough. If you are looking to union try and get the talent young and allow a couple of years development similar to how oledski has learnt the game from scratch but not as a ready made fix in a specialist position

Update on transfer market. They’re trying. Could be waiting some time though for a prop. Sounds like Ava’s decision was quite late in the day. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/ ... ar-3089999

Update on transfer market. They’re trying. Could be waiting some time though for a prop. Sounds like Ava’s decision was quite late in the day. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/ ... ar-3089999

I can see us going with what we've got until season starts and we will continue to look for a middle man during the season is a bit of a risk just going with Oldezki, Prior, Tetevano & Holroyd because we all know injuries are part and parcel of our sport but there's also the risk of players possibly coming down with covid when season starts especially if the countries cases haven't rapidly lowered by March/ April when season starts and player may have to isolate we had it when 2020 season resumed track and trace forcing players to be missing we'd be stuffed if we had 2 or 3 of Oldezki, Prior, Tetevano & Holroyd missing at one time ( hopefully we don't). But sounds like Thompson will be our 5th prop and Donaldson and even Cam Smith will fill in at prop if they are needed too.

Yeah agree and good point re covid. It could cause problems in March still. In fact it’s certain. I’d like to see season pushed back to end of March at least personally.

It does sound like we've got a couple of irons in the fire though.

I’m going Harrison back from fev and one overseas who might already have been in the comp last year

Gavet?

We have enough to put a team out and start the season and Tetevano is a great signing.

But unfortunately we are being left behind by the others who are doing good business early.

Saints, Wigan and Wire miles ahead.

Then Catalans and probably Huddersfield.

I think we’re in a battle for 6-8 with Cas and Hull.

At best unfortunately.

And without any injuries.

A few injuries and we are battling with Salford and KR.

Not sure why wire are so far ahead of us.I understand huddersfield have improved but they still dont look that amazing to me.

I think Wire are deffo top 3.

Really hope I’m wrong.

But we’ve essentially let 2 front line overseas first 17 props leave and replaced them with one.

No matter how good Tetevano is, that’s a backwards step.

Tommy is a great prospect, but he’s now thrust into the frontline 17 every week at age 19!

Replacing Ava with similar is an absolute must for me.

Maybe the likes of Gavet could work.

Ava leaving has undoubtedly thrown a massive spanner in the works.