i watched the frist 25 mins last night. im pretty certain HKR would of made me look like a world beater. nothing against Williams, when i sa him early doors this season he looked good, but lets not judge him on last night. Sutty played a blinder against Saints, thats a real test. and Williams didnt play as well against Saints....
lets give them both 1 full season though before we start the Jizz-Fest

I would like to know where Sutcliffe has shown he can do it against better opposition, as opposed to Williams?

Sutcliffe looked fantastic when we were on top at Saints, and he looked the same when on top at Huddersfield. When we were under the cosh, he was anonymous, as he was against Warrington.

That is in no way to say that won't change, or soon, just how has he shown to be the better against the better oppossition? I have seen Willuams also play well against top sides, and poor aswell.

Because it is stand off, I would compare Sutcliffe more with the likes of McGuire, Harris, Tomkins. Those players were allowed to develop as Sal is requesting because mistakes or not, they were always marked for stardom and the top. The difference is Sutcliffe has never shown their types of talent at similar ages in development. Again, that does not mean he isn't just a late developer, and as this season has shown, having the faith in him brings out the best. The question is, is it a risk to say he is the future and go with it warts and all when in reality he is only now showing that he could be that future? There have been plenty of players who have showed similar qualities and dissapeared, the only difference been there wasn't a space to fill then.

Maybe the answer is to ensure you have the right players around him to ensure he is that success now expected of him, rather than expecting him to be the lone king.

I agree with the last paragraph - that is the key here the right players to enable him the opportunity to develop and impose himself. Having the wrong players with inhibit that develop. In less than a year there will not be that option so I would suggest Leeds get on with it and accept the consequences of doing so. He is surrounded with enough quality players without the need to include others who will suppress his development.

Both good players with bags of potential. Both got slightly different skill sets IMO - Sutcliffe is more physical, probably a better kicker of the ball, Williams the quicker and more elusive.

Can't say Williams did an awful lot in the game at Headingley other than the kick for Burgess's try. So there have been big games this season where he's been pretty quiet.

Interesting topic really.

Honestly, I think that Sutcliffe has been better this season so far, but that might just be because Leeds have been better than Wigan (especially at the start of the year), as I don't think either player has carried their side, but played well within good teams. Magic weekend should be an interesting game to see them go head to head.

Sutcliffe.

I thought Williams was magnificent last night, an exceptional prospect but IMO (and without Rhinos tinted glasses) I think as it is right now, Sutcliffe just edges Williams as a more complete player. I don't want to take anything away from Williams but HKR were extremely poor which made him shine a little brighter than perhaps he would have done against better opponents but still a superb effort.

I was talking to the missus last night and we concluded that it is no coincidence that the best teams that the SL has seen are also the same teams that consistently produce young, exciting players like Williams and Sutcliffe (and also the same reason that Salford are in the position they are in right now).

Two excellent prospects but both need to perform at a high level on a more consistent basis.
Wouldn't it be great for the game if they both went on to become internationals of the highest class to at last give those bloody Aussies something to think about.
Oh by the way it has to be Williams but that's obviously a view based on that at the moment I have seen a lot more of Williams than Sutcliffe.

From a Wigan perspective, I think Williams was largely anonymous in the early season and put all responsibility on Smith(possibly contributing to his early poor performances) but as the pitches have hardened and he's settled more into the 6 role he's looking a class act. Everytime I've seen Sutcliffe which is obviously just the sky games, he's really impressed me, bar the Warrington game where I think the whole Leeds team just didn't show up, not just Sutcliffe. Not sure how many SL games both have played, but excellent prospects for both sides.

The interesting thing is that Wigan still have Hampshire who is probably a better natural #6 than either Wiliams or Sutcliffe. He outplayed Sutcliffe at u19 academy level. At the moment both Williams and Sutcliffe are better developed physically but that should change over the next two or three years. I've always thought that Sutcliffe would make an excellent #13.

It'll be interesting to see what Wane does next year when Tomkins returns, to have his and Hampshires pace in the side will cause a lot of problems for the opposition.

I too see Sutcliffe moving up to 13.
If I was Wane I'd play Williams & Hampshire at 6&7 next season & get rid of Smith. He reminds me of Deacon without the kicking ability. He always gives the impression of getting through a ton of work but produces very little of quality.