Re: Leeds Rhinos - Sunday : Wed Apr 04, 2018 12:53 pm  

I hope Jowitt, Hampshire and Batchelor keep their places. The centre and wing spots will be tough because they all played welll on Monday but at the same time Johnstone loves playing against Leeds.

Re: Leeds Rhinos - Sunday : Wed Apr 04, 2018 1:00 pm  

chapylad wrote:

Most likely the same team as none of the injured props are due back for another 3 weeks at least.

Yeah right,

Wouldn't surprise me if several of your injured players are back for this game.

Also the one and only Kendal is the ref so I am predicting another very difficult afternoon for Trinity.

Re: Leeds Rhinos - Sunday : Wed Apr 04, 2018 1:20 pm  

Slugger McBatt wrote:

Must be very hard for the Aussie players with young families left behind, especially with the relentlessly cold weather we're having. Hope it refreshes him for when he comes back.

V much agree with this
I couldn't imagine not seeing my family for such a long time

Hope Dave comes back all the happier and fitter for it

Re: Leeds Rhinos - Sunday : Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:29 pm  

Be interesting to see how CC goes!

Full back is a tough one...Grix had a nightmare last year at home to Leeds though...one of very few I must say...he’s been a brilliant signing and still has a lot to offer...I’d go with Jowitt though...was a bit rusty at Hull but is a class player who needs a run of games to see if he can prove he’s good enough...I’ve a theory that Grix’s lack of pace just lets him down a little against the better teams but his brain is vital against the lesser sides...maybe you could say the same in the halves with Finn...maybe the small percentage edge we need in those tight games against the better teams could be to play the younger, quicker players in Jowitt and Hampshire...we lose experience but worth a try for me...

Wingers I can see being TJ and BJB, just think they are our best two options...really tough in MCB at the minute but I think those two just edge him out...over the course of the season he will still get plenty of chances though and won’t let anyone down when playing...

Centre is another tough one as Arundel has been so unlucky to be missing out...I think technically he’s our best centre but all round just behind the other two...i’d keep shuffling them round as the season goes on, for this game though I think it’s a straightforward decision...Bill has to play left centre against Watkins...their main danger man and they had a fantastic tussle in this fixture last year that ended about even...in the other side Handley has been playing really well lately but in previous seasons has looked a bit lightweight at times...for that reason I’d prefer Lyne who could get on top of him physically...

Batchelor surely has to keep his shirt and the only other change I’d consider is bringing in Annakin for a bench spot...if Leeds are struggling a bit in the forwards and show any signs of fatigue backing up after Easter, then Annakin’s style of play could prove really effective off the bench!

It’s a big game this and one we can certainly win if we can put a good 80 minutes together!

Re: Leeds Rhinos - Sunday : Wed Apr 04, 2018 3:09 pm  

I thought our home game against them in last years super 8's was one of our better performances, we really snuffed them out and took every chance we had in a sparkling performance. I'd settle for something near to that on Sunday, whoever plays I'm sure they'll give it all they've got, fingers crossed for a win.

Re: Leeds Rhinos - Sunday : Wed Apr 04, 2018 3:22 pm  

Prince Buster wrote:

Yeah right,

Wouldn't surprise me if several of your injured players are back for this game..

Walker was still in a protective boot on Monday so probably still Golding at FB.

Mullally should be back, failed a head test on Friday so obviously had no chance for Monday but should be ok for this Sunday.

I believe JJB was just rested on Monday, if he returns if could well be for one of the youngsters/fringe guys but they might rotate out Ablett or Delaney for a rest. Maybe even Ferres because they didn't want to have to play him both Easter games on his return.

Sutcliffe and Keinhorst could return as they were in the 19 man squad for Monday (but weren't risked) but McDermott has said Handley will keep the centre position this week so they may have to settle on the bench and used in the back row.

Peteru won't be back. Cuthbertson is probably still a week or two off. Not sure on Garbutt tbh.

Re: Leeds Rhinos - Sunday : Wed Apr 04, 2018 4:12 pm  

Leeds never to be under estimated, every time I think they are there for the taking they batter us.

Certainly need our forwards to be switched on from the start. Anyone who earned a place on Monday performance should keep the shirt, personally think Batch will be here to stay now unless he suffers some very poor form. Hampshire I'd start but if CC goes back to Finn I'd still give Hampshire 30mins from the bench as he was causing them huge problems on Boxing Day.

Re: Leeds Rhinos - Sunday : Wed Apr 04, 2018 5:35 pm  

wakefieldwall wrote:

Leeds never to be under estimated, every time I think they are there for the taking they batter us.

Certainly need our forwards to be switched on from the start. Anyone who earned a place on Monday performance should keep the shirt, personally think Batch will be here to stay now unless he suffers some very poor form. Hampshire I'd start but if CC goes back to Finn I'd still give Hampshire 30mins from the bench as he was causing them huge problems on Boxing Day.

The problem is, we cant accommodate Finn, Hampshire, Wood, Randall and Miller in the same 17.
It can only be 4 from 5 (at the most), unless we put one of them at loose forward, which would be a mistake.

Re: Leeds Rhinos - Sunday : Wed Apr 04, 2018 6:46 pm  

No, I wouldn't like to be picking the squad this week.
I can't get away from the tried and tested group we've been running with, but if you go long enough without a win, you have to try something different.
Anyway, CC gets paid for that, we can sit here tapping keys but we don't have access to all the information regarding playing staff.
Some players absolutely will be carrying knocks, some will be still growing in to 1st team games, some will be tactic specific and some form/attitude.
From this side, team selection looks like a bit of a quandary but at CC's end it might be a shade easier......but I doubt it, you still gotta manage those that don't make it.
Big Dave has a groin that needs rest, it'll do him good to see his family for a bit while it knits itself together, more interestingly, his departure coincides with Pauli Pauli's best game of the season.
They're a big side front to back are Hull, everybody is big and 4 in at every tackle, but Pauli was really chucking them about on Monday..

[PopTart]

Re: Leeds Rhinos - Sunday : Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:06 pm  

Disagree.
We need to play rugby.
Our forwards are good but we are down on numbers and when we are at our best we swing the ball, even in our own hands if we are on.
Half backs are where this will be won.