Re: SL RD 26 | St Helens (H) : Tue Aug 13, 2019 6:09 pm  

If ward plays it’s got to be a straight swap for Donaldson, Peteru has to play you can’t go into this game with just 2 recognised props.

Re: SL RD 26 | St Helens (H) : Tue Aug 13, 2019 8:11 pm  

Seth wrote:

If ward plays it’s got to be a straight swap for Donaldson, Peteru has to play you can’t go into this game with just 2 recognised props.

Agreed, makes us stronger than last week imo

Re: SL RD 26 | St Helens (H) : Wed Aug 14, 2019 6:48 am  

Wards issue is more mental than physical I fear and that will take some rebuilding. I feel hes convincing himself that hes not ready.

At some point he needs to get on the field and play.

Absolutely terrific player and a smashing kid but injuries have broken him. I really hope he can come back and get a full season in and get his confidence back.

We really need to be careful with him whenever he returns. 15 mins here and there off the bench and not in the middle of the park.

Re: SL RD 26 | St Helens (H) : Wed Aug 14, 2019 7:11 am  

Marty Grrrrrrrrrr! wrote:

Wards issue is more mental than physical I fear and that will take some rebuilding. I feel hes convincing himself that hes not ready.

At some point he needs to get on the field and play.

Absolutely terrific player and a smashing kid but injuries have broken him. I really hope he can come back and get a full season in and get his confidence back.

We really need to be careful with him whenever he returns. 15 mins here and there off the bench and not in the middle of the park.

Reserves would be perfect right now. Why oh why it was not brought back earlier.

Re: SL RD 26 | St Helens (H) : Wed Aug 14, 2019 7:41 am  

Ward taking the field against Cas in the 2017 GF and playing like he did was one of the toughest things I've seen. It would be natural to doubt your body with the amount of setbacks he's had; but he may yet turn it around.

He's living with the constant threat of his career ending / Leeds career ending.

A few games this year and another full pre-season, we'll have to see how he goes in 2020 and keep fingers crossed.

Back to selection; Peteru would have to come in for Singleton and Ward replaces Donaldson, Sutcliffe or Ferres. Of the three probably Donaldson, but I'd be tempted to drop Ferres myself - we could do without the penalties against a good side.

Re: SL RD 26 | St Helens (H) : Wed Aug 14, 2019 8:30 am  

Sad to say but you know another injury is just around the corner for Stevie Ward. Could have been a great but that's just the way it is his body is just not up to it.

Re: SL RD 26 | St Helens (H) : Wed Aug 14, 2019 9:23 am  

Looks like this will be a better contest than originally envisaged after Saints named a decent squad and Leeds found some form.

Looking forward to seeing how far Leeds have come after two resounding wins and how Saints approach the game with Wembley on the horizon.

I can see it being a close but high scoring affair.

Re: SL RD 26 | St Helens (H) : Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:12 am  

Yes Stevie Ward must be under tremendous pressure mentally, that latest injury was heart breaking.. He is a talented player I just hope he can have a decent run

Re: SL RD 26 | St Helens (H) : Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:13 am  

FearTheVee wrote:

Looks like this will be a better contest than originally envisaged after Saints named a decent squad and Leeds found some form.

Looking forward to seeing how far Leeds have come after two resounding wins and how Saints approach the game with Wembley on the horizon.

I can see it being a close but high scoring affair.

Agreed, in a pretty ordinary super league season saints have played some decent rugby. Hopefully a good crowd and a decent open game. Which is usually the case between Leeds and saints.

Re: SL RD 26 | St Helens (H) : Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:37 am  

Will be interesting to see whether Leeds can go to a higher level with Saints or not. If they can get the crowd believing, it could be a cracker. We’re still playing for survival.

Saints will miss Walmsley and Roby but our pack will need to step up.