Quote: Andy Gilder "How are they going to develop, if they aren't playing in the first team?
Sutcliffe's too old to play in the Academy, so do you farm him out to the Championship somewhere and in the meantime make do with some mediocre off-contract import looking to top up their pension? Leeds sent Lilley out on dual reg at Hunslet this year, and they ended up playing the lad at full-back against one of the best teams in the competition FFS.
Leeds don't need another half-back, if they sign a new first choice hooker.'"
Well I did not design the system. Neither am I suggesting some mediocre off contract import. Like the replacement of Aiton we need quality. However as it stands we have invested in the JP & Kylie replacements which could be wasted if we do not invest in Sinfield's replacement. Just look at the hullabaloo on here over losing the game management abilities of Sinfield while he has been playing at hooker.
Under the new extended season it is going to be important to rotate not just forwards but backs too. With a new quality half back we could still give plenty of game time to Sutcliffe, Lilley and Golding giving the ageing McGuire & Burrow plenty of rests. Which of the aforementioned are proven game managers?
Unless the new hooker is also a game manager then yes we do need a controlling quality halfback next year.