FORUMS > Leeds Rhinos > The case for Donald at Wembley |
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| Most seem to be favouring Smith over Donald as our fist choice Wembley right winger and I completely understand why.
However, despite the emphatic superb win (defence the best) over Cas, both Smith and Hall showed they don't have the outright pace that Donald has to [ialways[/i go the full length when in the clear. Surely an attribute against Warrington on the big open spaces of Wembley ?
I know I might be guilty of labouring the point , but Donald and Senior on the left for me; Hall and Delaney on the right and Smith (too good to miss out/can change a game) on the bench with three BIG forwards (Ali, Eastwood and Ambler ??). Sorry Diskin.
Again though who knows what might happen after Friday's game ?????? Fingers crossed.
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| Pace is all well and good (and I much prefer wingmen to have it) but it's not much use if he forgets to put the ball down when he gets there.
Smith gets the nod from me as he's not afraid to get his hands dirty and he will give it the full bananas. Poorish game from him at Wheldon Road though where I thought his opposite centre got the better of him.
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| Quote: tvoc "Pace is all well and good (and I much prefer wingmen to have it) but it's not much use if he forgets to put the ball down when he gets there.
Smith gets the nod from me as he's not afraid to get his hands dirty and he will give it the full bananas. Poorish game from him at Wheldon Road though where I thought his opposite centre got the better of him.'"
As I said, I understand the preference for Smith... but loved that Donald try GF '07 and would relish seeing another like it.
(We should never have let Broughton go should we ?)
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| Donald's due a 'special'
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| I love smithy but donald has to play for me!
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| IMO it has to be one or the other
I don't see what Smith would offer from the bench.
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| Smithy for me ,a much stronger carrier of the ball coming out of our end and also has that X-factor to create a chance out of nothing.
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| A difficult choice. I don't believe either is playing to the standard of which they're capable. On balance, I'd go for Donald. I take on board the comments about Smith's "X factor" but with McGuire on form and Burrow getting there I think the halves cause havoc aplenty.
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| Quote: rhinoms "Smithy for me ,a much stronger carrier of the ball coming out of our end and also has that X-factor to create a chance out of nothing.'"
It's a fair point.
His USP is his ability to sniff out the unusual.
But against Wire, with plenty of speed out wide - Donalds sheer pace may be needed. It may even be vital.
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| As has been mentioned, I think Donald might have gone the full length twice against Cas when Hall was caught.
Donald has the blistering pace which against Riley and Hicks could be required.....you also have to consider King playing on the left (our right) against Smith (assuming Smith was to play right wing) when it comes to the high ball. Would Donald be a better defence against King when the ball goes up?
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| It's a dilemma.
Smith hasn't had the best of seasons but is solid and a proven big game player. Donald is the fastest and I think Wembley would suit him to a tee.
With the front row absences I might change my stance on Eastwood and use him as interchange prop. With this in mind there may be room for Delaney or keith in the 2nd row, giving freedom to select both Smith and Donald.
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| Quote: G1 "It's a dilemma.
Smith hasn't had the best of seasons but is solid and a proven big game player. Donald is the fastest and I think Wembley would suit him to a tee.
With the front row absences I might change my stance on Eastwood and use him as interchange prop. With this in mind there may be room for Delaney or keith in the 2nd row, giving freedom to select both Smith and Donald.'"
Kirke and Ali could just as easily fill in as interchange prop.
However Eastwood better games was away at Wire as prop, so who knows!!
Then there's Ambler in the mix......who is a prop who wouldn't let anyone down.
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| I'm with G1 we will need to utilise a second row as prop and smith in the centre spot
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| Quote: G1 "It's a dilemma.
Smith hasn't had the best of seasons but is solid and a proven big game player. Donald is the fastest and I think Wembley would suit him to a tee.
With the front row absences I might change my stance on Eastwood and use him as interchange prop. With this in mind there may be room for Delaney or keith in the 2nd row, giving freedom to select both Smith and Donald.'"
With respect, the Challenge Cup Final is not the time or the place to be experimenting with centres in the second row. I understand that Delaney has played for the Titans in the back row before but the contest between the forwards is going to be hard enough without having threequarters defending down the middle.
I'd also prefer to have size in the centres to counter Atkins and King.
We are blessed with two good wingmen in Donald and Smith. It's Bluey's call and I appreciate it's a tough one but that's what he gets paid for. Personally, I'm not a fan of making radical changes to the squad so that we can accommodate 3 wingers in the starting 13.
Donald or Smith will be disappointed but at least we'll have a quick water carrier.
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| Quote: kirkstaller "
We are blessed with two good wingers in Donald and Smith. It's Bluey's call and I appreciate it's a tough one but that's what he gets paid for. Personally, I'm not a fan of making radical changes to the squad so that we can accommodate 3 wingers in the starting 13.
'" It wouldn't be radical. We've been accomadating all 3 in the 17 for much of the season
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