I can't buy into this every other team has had injuries but seem to put in some reasonable performance even if they lose . Obviously Mcdermotts feeling the pressure and the recent excuses about the referee then this doesn't cut the mustard with me.

I think a major issue is the decision to scrap the Reserve Grade Competition and not have dedicated Coaching at that level.

You can run that team to the same drills and comms as the 1st team so people can slot in and out with ease.

Jordan Baldwinson should have had a game at 1st Grade for the Rhinos by now I agree. He is stoked to be signed up with the Rhinos too. I hope they keep him and give him his opportunities.

This could be our most important game for some time if we loose tonight or at least but in a decent performance,where do we go from here?

The only way is up, bayyybii

Let me tell you. Cam Smith has a contract that is to train with the first team, but that he will play a maximum of 8 academy games this year. The rest of the time he will be training with first team and building up, as they want him ready for next season for super league. I don't understand this, for me if you are getting him ready he needs to play games, and the odd substitute appearance now is needed, if they are planning for next season.

The coaches I was speaking to last night were saying how the championship is a physical tough competition, but a very slow one. They were saying the biggest difference for a youngster stepping up to Super League is not the physicality but the speed of the game. Both coaches said the academy was faster than the championship, so did not see the benefits of playing championship rugby.

I agree with you, if they think he's good enough to train with the first team, and he clearly didn't look out of his depth on Boxing Day then the odd sub game would do him good, as would imo a loan, because how much will he learn playing against his peers who pretty much to a man he is bigger/faster/stronger than.

I would also be tempted to agree with you regarding the pace of the championship, it would explain why props (Hill, Walmsley even Yates) were able to step up, but we don't see many pivots or ball handlers make the jump. Jamie Ellis and Finn are the most recent successful examples and neither have set the league alight.