Stories over the weekend true then: https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2019/06/03/ ... 19-season/

Stories over the weekend true then: https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2019/06/03/ ... 19-season/

I've always loved Watkins as a player but I feel this is probably the best decision for both him and the club, this will free up cap space for us that we desperately need and it allows him to go to a club and earn the money he thinks he deserves.

At least the decision is made and all parties can move on. Sad end but he's been an outstanding player for the club and has been a big part of the successful years.

No wonder why rumours are we're after Hastings spares a bit of salary cap.

good decision for Leeds. we've had his best years. frees up a lot of cap

Just generally feels like a sad way for his career with us to end. When you have young kids sat on the wall growing up who then break into the team and develop into world class players captaining the team then after many years of service they don't deserve to leave under a cloud of ill-feeling. I agree it's probably in both parties best interests but having seen his dad responding to comments on FB recently where the fans have really been laying into him the whole situation makes me feel pretty sad. From Kallum's point of view it must be just about the worst time in his career to be looking for a new gig. On current form which top team would be demand a starting place in? Certainly won't get anywhere near an NRL side. Assume he'll end up at Salford or KR.

Personally I've never really felt he's lived up to his reputation. No doubt a fantastic player on his day but always seems to run a bit hot and cold for me. Sky guys constantly telling us he's 'arguably the best centre in the SL' but I don't recall him ever really standing out for full games game in game out. Clearly a quality player though and exactly the kind of home grown player you'd want at your club but a shame to see him effectively leaving under a cloud and with the performances we've seen this year being his send off. You can't blame anyone coming back from a serious injury for not being at their best but with all this news it does fuel the fire about there being poor attitudes in camp about marquee salaries etc.

I'd probably have let him go straight away. Ignoring the fact I'd start Hurrell and Newman ahead of him in the centres anyway, is this situation going to improve the already poor morale at all? Certainly no point playing him as captain but looking at performances so far this year it's hard to imagine we'll see fantastic attitude and effort from him for the rest of the season. Unless he has a mad panic to try and show that he's capable to getting back to his best to show potential new clubs he still has it but then that'll surely be even worse as it would point to poor attitude instead of understandable rehab impact. Urgh… there's not really a positive to take is there? It's a lose-lose situation for both sides for the rest of the season so I'd just let him go and concentrate on finding a new, much needed leader and developing a new centre partnership.

Despite everything above, I feel for the lad for not getting the send off he deserves, irrespective of what's gone on this season.

Speaking of which who would be your pick for captain? I really wanted Ward at the time as for me he personifies everything we need to be on the pitch in terms of attitude and application and didn't think Watkins was the right choice but even I can't advocate him at the moment in the middle of yet another long lay-off. Been a lot of people calling for Merrin who would seem the obvious choice. Are there any other real contenders at the moment? Everyone's so quiet on the pitch there's not many standing out as leadership material right now. Myler?? Has demonstrated leadership on the pitch at least but I'm hoping we have more quality coming in around that position soon so not sure he;'d be the best choice. Can't see them giving Watkins the armband for the rest of the season though…

We should have tried offering him to Warrington first in exchange for Currie. Would have been a great deal for us, and you never know, Wire might well have gone for it.

Definitely, think Merrin should get the job. Ever since he's arrived he's been one of the stand out voices on the pitch lot of experience, and is putting in on average 70 minutes a game.

Hard to argue against that - certainly for the rest of this season anyway.

I think it’s the correct move for both parties.

One thing is for sure if anyone doubted the clubs ability to make the tough calls this should put paid to that.

Getting rid of your club captain and one if the best homegrown players is a ballsy move!

Don't think there is any need to take the captaincy off him if I am honest. They've reached what sounds like an amicable decision.

Hopefully Kallum can get a nice pay day somewhere. Interesting comments from SMTMUK the other day about Watkins' potential earnings a few years ago and how he turned down a fortune to stay at Leeds. You don't mind taking a smaller pay packet when things are going swimmingly and you're getting a load of a credit but the situation he is in now, I don't blame Kallum for chasing the £.

Absolutely torn on this but I think it might end up being the right outcome for everyone.

One thing is for absolute certain, Sinfield needs to get the next 2 or 3 recruitment calls spot on- both on and off the field. Certainly not taking the easy way out.

It would be rather ironic if we finally signed a quality half back using Watkins cap money, given he's had a decade of sub-standard service.

Well it's sure a surprise, but when you think about it logically, he's one of the highest paid players (presumably) and he's not been able to perform this year coming back from injury. The club will probably have a reasonable long term prognosis on his future capability and may well have decided he's not going to get back to a level his salary would command. It's a big call from Kevin, but shows he's not frightened of making them.

My guess is we will see quite a few more before the end of this season.

On Kallum, thanks for some sparkling entertainment over the years, and good luck for the future.

I hope he does well wherever he goes. I hope he gets fit and tries the NRL as I think he could do very well.