Re: v Leeds Rhinos. March 21st 8pm : Fri Mar 21, 2014 3:15 pm
If you look at Leeds Rhinos since Mac went there, you'll see that only two of players numbered 1-18 have been signed by him. He has been able to promote from within in the main although he has made two or three top signings in getting on board the Briscoe brothers, Joel Moon and the PNG Hooker Aiton.Reminiscent of his spell for us almost all of his other signings have been forwards such as Hauaraki, Amor, Griffin, Richard Moore and A'Church and I don't think any have regularly displaced the Stalwarts and not many are still there if you look at it. Basically his proven internationals are doing the business and his "spots" have not.
His failing at Quins was that he was incompetent at signing talent and his generosity in long deals for old players whilst failing to retain the younger talent. He seems to be better now at Leeds than he was here but you can't help feel Leeds golden generation of players won't last forever and he's not really replaced more than Senior so far plus one or two of the older imports.
He's had two great play-off runs and he's maintained the success the club had prior to him joining with repeated grand final wins but no success in the cups and a 4th or 5th place in the league has been the case since he went there. If he can get the club to finish in the top three you can start to argue he has been an improvement on what was there before. I still remain doubtful he can spot talent however.
If he was still here I bet Orr, Randall, Temata etc would still be in the squad.
I have had a few punts on tonights game - us to cover the 22 point HT handicap and to lose by 40 or less FT - plus I have had Moore first try scorer for us and the new Tongan Vea to score at any time. Also Matt Cook man of the match and finally us to win by 1-10 points, but beer money only on the last one.
I think we will make a bigger effort tonight than recently because the players won't want to embarrass themselves on Sky TV and I think we will play a basic, conservative game and handle the ball a bit better than last week. I'm reckoning we will get about a try in each half and maybe one bonus one and if we can keep the Rhinos below 50 then it will not be pleasing (under 34 would be very pleasing) but might win a few quid.
Cookie did the business for me as 12/1 last week any time but alas he's now 6/1 which is very tight.
Rammo
