Wow, what a cringeworthy thread

Really like this kit, particularly the light blue!

Why, has he been weirdly criticising a rugby player for not being photogenic enough or 'hetero' enough to model a rugby kit too?

I like the kit and shock horror homegrown hero who has played for us for over a decade and during its most trophy laden period is pictured wearing one WTF??

All?

Excuse me, but some of us are simply trying to pose an alternate view to that put forward by RLFans very own tag team champions, the Legends of Lunacy.

Fair point well made...

I think this whole thread, about clothes, is weirder than Evan Holyfield in his entirety!

WTF??? Is there anything Gothcha and Sal aren't experts on? We don't love this sport because it's full of pretty boys - it's because it's a tough sport played by honest tough people. It's not like it's a shop on the high street using a member of staff to model - this guy's one of our heroes. Kids look up to him, adults look up to him, he's a good bloke. Rugby Union doesn't just use pretty boys and they get plenty of sponsorship and backing. Our sport needs to show off our characters to stand out from the crowd!

Just what you were on about regarding Holyfield, and you would be quite right!

This is also a fair point well made...

People getting in a bit of a tizz on here. As others have said - perhaps it is JJB in the pic as it is a matter of 'who is around to do it?' at the time. I remember all the chat in Nov about the reveal of the home top - don't you think they probably had them both photographed at the same time, rather than having one photoshoot done and then a few weeks later going back to do a second?

People were talking about the leaks of the home top in early / mid Nov, so presumably that shoot was a few weeks before (so mid/ late Oct). The time when the World Cup prep / tournament was going on. Thus ruling out Kev, RH, ZH (before he left), Briscoe, Ablett, RB, KW and any others i have missed. JP was doing media work.


Who does that leave? Danny Mac (who appeared on the home shots with JJB), BJB, JJB, then the likes of Bailey and Delaney and then all the young kids who haven't really established themselves yet.

Now, Bailey and Delaney aren't particularly 'clean cut' blokes are they? Bailey being in past trouble with the old bill and picking up at least one suspension for his actions at Catalans last year, i remember.

Ok, JJB isn't a poster boy, but he is local, never in bother, a trier and a devout Christian who keeps on the straight and narrow. In autumn 2012 i went to a Christian info evening at the town hall with a friend who was trying to convert me (and failed). JJB was talking about how it is to be a professional sportsman and a Christian and was down-to-earth, honest, engaging and unpretentious.

As some have said, few barring those who attend are likely to even see the new top. I mean, within a 15 mile radius of Leeds, there are Wakey, Cas, Bradford, Halifax, Fev and who knows what other teams i have forgotten that all are trying to develop and expand their fan base. The club shop in Merrion shut down years ago and even in a huge city like Leeds, the only place you can buy the gear is in the club shop. The die-hards will buy it regardless and new people won't start supporting the Rhinos because they see a 'pretty boy player' in the top as the reality is they have to be SEARCHING specifically for the pictures. You don't see pictures in the window of the new Rhinos top in JD sports in town or in Sports Direct, as you do with new football kits because in comparison, Rugby League is more niche and the sheer number and proximity of teams means none an really expand unless people are specifically WANTING to be involved. They have to go on to boards like this, the Rhinos' website or wander to / past the stadium.

I take myself as a case in point. From the north east, always enjoyed RL but no team. Came to uni in Leeds, and started following the Rhinos. Had i gone to Hudds or Bradford or Hull uni, i'd have ended up supporting them most likely. I didn't come to Leeds in 2004, see pics of a young Sinners everywhere in a top and think 'ooh, that looks nice... think i will support the Rhinos!'

Finally, so what if Briscoe looks gay. Men come in all different shapes and sizes, some look more like cavemen and some look more like models. Just because he is what society determines as 'attractive' and has a precise haircut, does not matter. Just that whole thing that makes it currently career suicide to reveal homosexuality in English sport.

That is me done for now. Being a season ticket holder for only a year maybe helps me see things in a more balanced way, though maybe it doesn't. Sure you will let me know anyway!