Re: Clarkson : Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:12 pm  

I would drop Diskin, this isnt a slight on him, we just need to play with what we have against whats in front of us

Wire are a big side, we will need to front up to stay in the game and without our pack leader we will need the numbers

with Sinfield able to play 7 and Burrow able to play 9, Clarkson and Ablett can fill in at 13 if you want to give Buderus a rest.

Wire will throw a lot of offloads and i dont think we will look strong with Bailey/Kylie/Eastwood having to try and make 2nd efforts on the likes of Harrison, Westwood and Anderson and Monaghan and Clarke running round the ruck towards the end of a 30 minute stint.

We need to win it upfront against wire, stop the offload and control the ruck and i think our back line will win it for us

Re: Clarkson : Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:22 pm  

Serge A. Storms wrote:

This will be a test of McClennan's man management abilities someone has to miss out - I would Ablett for Kirke and go with that.

If Clarkson does miss out it will be a travesty and will cast doubt over McClennan's ability to make the really tough decisions.

If you were picking a side based on last night's performance then Burrow would miss out - can't see that though?

If we win then it doesnt matter who bluey plays it will have been the right decision(s). Personally i would pick clarkson and burrow and leave out kirke and donald especially as Ambler seems to be out of favour for whatever reason as i think he has played well this season.

Re: Clarkson : Sun Aug 22, 2010 10:57 am  

Juan Cornetto wrote:

Burrow has to play. And look how well McGuires playing with the extra space back at 6.

Couldn't agree more, excellent observation. The whole team looks better with the three playmakers back in their natural role. Burrow was man of the match last week at Cas and I thought he played very well Friday night. He frustrated the hell out of Carlaw in defence. Was funny to watch.

Not only has McGuire's game improved out of sight since Burrow's return but Senior looks a lot safe defensively. Much more cohesive with our number 7 back. He's a crucial player for us.

As for Clarkson, I simply don't see how you can leave out a lad who puts in 30+ tackles and 70 plus minutes each weeek.

Re: Clarkson : Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:29 am  

G1 wrote:

Couldn't agree more, excellent observation. The whole team looks better with the three playmakers back in their natural role. Burrow was man of the match last week at Cas and I thought he played very well Friday night. He frustrated the hell out of Carlaw in defence. Was funny to watch.

Not only has McGuire's game improved out of sight since Burrow's return but Senior looks a lot safe defensively. Much more cohesive with our number 7 back. He's a crucial player for us.

As for Clarkson, I simply don't see how you can leave out a lad who puts in 30+ tackles and 70 plus minutes each weeek.

I'm sure the Wire players would be over the moon if Burrow was omitted.

Re: Clarkson : Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:07 pm  

G1 wrote:

Couldn't agree more, excellent observation. The whole team looks better with the three playmakers back in their natural role. Burrow was man of the match last week at Cas and I thought he played very well Friday night. He frustrated the hell out of Carlaw in defence. Was funny to watch.

Not only has McGuire's game improved out of sight since Burrow's return but Senior looks a lot safe defensively. Much more cohesive with our number 7 back. He's a crucial player for us.

As for Clarkson, I simply don't see how you can leave out a lad who puts in 30+ tackles and 70 plus minutes each weeek.

McGuire has been the stand out Rhinos player all year - Burrow or no Burrow, the quality of his performance has little to do with Burrow's inclusion it more about his own attitude and game opportunities.

I would play Burrow but the play leading up to the play when Catalans scored and the play for the try suggests Burrow wasn't quite as good or committed as you have suggested IMO

Re: Clarkson : Sun Aug 22, 2010 2:26 pm  

SmokeyTA wrote:

I would drop Diskin, this isnt a slight on him, we just need to play with what we have against whats in front of us

Wire are a big side, we will need to front up to stay in the game and without our pack leader we will need the numbers

with Sinfield able to play 7 and Burrow able to play 9, Clarkson and Ablett can fill in at 13 if you want to give Buderus a rest.

Wire will throw a lot of offloads and i dont think we will look strong with Bailey/Kylie/Eastwood having to try and make 2nd efforts on the likes of Harrison, Westwood and Anderson and Monaghan and Clarke running round the ruck towards the end of a 30 minute stint.

We need to win it upfront against wire, stop the offload and control the ruck and i think our back line will win it for us

When you say "back line" you of course mean McGuire ...He more than any other (maybe Senior) is going to be our main strike weapon in the backs especially as it looks as though Donald might be just a 'reserve' now until the end of the season.

I do agree with you that Diskin has to make way for a big bench of Eastwood, Ali, Ablett and Kirke. Not sure that will happen though.

Re: Clarkson : Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:25 am  

Ablett in for Kirke IMO. No reason to drop Clarkson.

Can't see Donald getting in the way Smith played on Friday.

Re: Clarkson : Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:27 am  

For me Clarkson does too much work to even consider dropping him, forget Kirke's size, Clarkson will make more tackles and more yards forward than Kirke.

Re: Clarkson : Mon Aug 23, 2010 4:13 pm  

Exeter Rhino wrote:

Ablett in for Kirke IMO. No reason to drop Clarkson.

Can't see Donald getting in the way Smith played on Friday.

Totally agree.

Re: Clarkson : Mon Aug 23, 2010 4:21 pm  

Agree also - but I will feel a bit sorry for Kirke. He has both improved and put in the effort. The tackle the other week at Cas really was I want to play in the cup final effort