Quote Essex Rhino="Essex Rhino"Some Quins fans held the view that if for any reason a player crossed Mac they'd be out. Despite living with a Quins fan I was never convinced of the argument, but I'm afraid this does convince me.
TS & Bluey seemed to be able to manage players who'd declared their intentions to move to other clubs in SL, NRL and even the other code. Ellis, Scruton and Smith come to mind and we won grand finals with them playing their final game as Rhinos.
I don't have strong views about Cross going (Mac seemed to make it clear from day 1 he wasn't keen on the signing) but Burgess going out on loan is ridiculous and just provides more evidence that Mac isn't up to the job as Head coach.
Perhaps Burgess can blow up and burst a rubber glove in one breath and Mac hasn't mastered the art yet!'"
Don't think it proves anything without knowing the facts of what has happened
I'm yet to be convinced that BM is the right man for Leeds but I find it hard to see how you can lay all the blame on BM...read and contrast the quotes on Burgess and Cross - seems pretty clear to me that Burgess has thrown his toys out of the pram:
On Cross
Quote Essex Rhino="GH"“He has been a model professional,"
“I empathise with his frustration, which has been caused in part by Jamie Peacock’s earlier than expected return to the first team and the outstanding form of some of our other front-row forwards." '"
Quote Essex Rhino="BM""Ben Cross has been a pleasure to coach. At no stage has the situation of him not playing been a problem on a professional level."
“His conduct and the way he has carried himself is something he should be proud of.” '"
On Burgess:
Quote Essex Rhino="GH"“Luke is upset he has not been in the team,”
“He made it known he is not happy and, as a result, he wanted to go somewhere else.
“We have therefore agreed to make him available to go out on loan until the end of the season to another Super League club,"
“We consider that to be a pretty fair response. I know the coaching staff are very disappointed with Luke’s reaction to being left out and, as a result, this is how we are prepared to deal with it.”'"
Quote Essex Rhino="BM"“We are disappointed Luke wants to leave, but his desire to play every single week is not realistic at Leeds Rhinos at his stage of his career.” '"