TBH I'd have a 50% Ali in a big game ahead of any one of Hauraki, Clarkson or Kirke, but the likelihood is that the GF 17 will be the same as last week's, and they've earnt it.

if no problems, why change a winning formula?

Ali would complement that winning formula....Kirke is just incidental.

Im not a Kirke fan but he has stepped up his work rate over the past month and he's a prop. Ali isnt made for that role. Against Saints we will need 4 props IMO. I would have Ali in the team though and honestly felt gutted for him on Friday. As I said last week, Hardaker would miss out for me and Delaney would move back to centre. Ali would then come in.

BTW, has there been any news on Watkins since Wembley? If he became fit id pick him and leave Ali out along with Hardaker

Prop - Barrie McDermott
Hooker - Matt Diskin
Prop - Andrian Morley
Second Row - Anthony Farrell
Second Row - Ali Lauititti
Loose Forward - Kevin Sinfield
Stand-off - Iestyn Harris
Scrum Half - Rob Burrows
Wing - Ryan Hall
Centre - Garry Schofield
Centre - Keith Senior
Wing - Francis Cummings
Full Back - My mum (il capitano and also head coach)

Even by your standards, that's a crazy selection call

Indeed, Delaney's defensive hits were superb on Friday - almost Westwood-esque! He's a must for the 2nd row, playing like a man possessed.

If (for whatever reason) Ablett doesn't play then surely he'll have to consider putting Smithy in. Other than that, much as I'd like to see Ali get in the 17, I don't see any point changing a winning line up. Whatever Hardaker lacks in defence he more than makes up for in offence - its great to have some genuine pace in the three-quarters again

No call as yet for the removal of Brent Webb THIS week. Interesting and fickle. Of course.

To be fair he only had 1 brain-fart against Wire, which compared to previous weeks (4 or 5 brain-farts on average) is a massive improvement

Still the best [size=50Kiwi[/size fullback in SL - by a mile

The only person who should make way for Ali is Hauraki. That is the player he is competing with for the position. You can't have both of them in the same 17. Personally, I am still yet to be impressed by Hauraki, and would prefer Ali getting the role.

On another note though, I though Ablett had been brought back too early on Friday night. I do hope he is allright for Saturday and improves massively, because he was all at sea at times on Friday defensively.

I think yer being harsh on Hauraki Gotcha he's improved along with the team since Wembley imo and Ali as an impact Prop could quite easily do that role and add his dynamic game to our offence plus ST's sh#8 themselves when they play against him.

I'm not been harsh, because I accept what you are saying that he has improved. But personally I just don't think that was too hard to do. He is nothing special, but hopefully after a year with us, next year may well prove to be a complete turnaround. He is certainly no Ali.

As I keep banging my head against the wall in frustration, Ali is not a impact prop, never has been, never will be, and is a complete waste for that role. He is a world beating wide running backrower on his day, the role Hauraki is supposed to play.