I'm not so sure. The only thing that has stood out for me was getting the likes of Reed and Widdop to commit to England, and alongside those two relative successes we've had the likes of Chase and Heighington who have been disappointing.

Otherwise, he's benefited from the availability of better players, especially in the backs, than his predecessors. The likes of Hall, Tomkins, Briscoe, Reed and soon Watkins, Hardaker etc are far superior to the backs available to Smith (Wellens, Gardner, Sykes etc). And despite these better players, not to mention a record number of forwards playing in the NRL, England have shown no sign of being able to live with the Australians or a fully fit NZ team.

As a club coach McNamara did NOTHING to suggest he was anything other than a mediocre coach. His time at the Bulls was littered by records such as the first SL team to lose to Crusaders, and epic capitulations such as Catalans in the CC and Wigan in the play-offs where the Bulls built up seemingly commanding leads. I struggle to see how he motivates the players - his domestic career was pretty average and he hardly comes across on TV as an inspirational coach (e.g. Wane, McDermott) or being particularly canny (e.g. Smith, Maguire).

Interesting point - I felt exactly the same in 2005 when Bulls lifted the trophy. As a season ticket holder I was really annoyed at quite a few "give away" performances that year. It appeared to me the team did not even try in many of our games that year - but as your lads have done (twice!!) - fettled up when it really mattered.

I suppose my attitude (and maybe yours too) could be debated under the "managing success" topic - which I think is as hard - but different to dealing with failure..??
That is - we have raised expectations after a sustained period of success - after which we refuse to accept a lower standard again?
For me - looks like I will have no choice

Anyway, good luck for Saturday - I think you have a good man in Brian McDermott and some really good guys in your squad too.

Off to the docs now - it seems I am mellowing towards our "enemy" since I almost had no club

I think these 'poor' regular season performances is a bit of an anomoly in sport to be honest.

We have a team that has grown up together, won (almost) everything but is still hungry to win the big games when they matter. It makes sense that they'd not get up for a regular fixture that they know in the scheme of things won't really impact them - whereas the other team is obviously motivated to try and beat one of the big teams in the league.

There aren't going to be many teams that have won as many GFs as us with the same backbone of players, so perhaps the lethargic approach to the regular season will subside once a 'new' Rhinos team starts to develop in the next 4 years or so.

I don't know - i'm just happy we have a chance to be 'Back to Back' champions again

As a bulls fan I dont often venture on here, but on this topic I will have a go.

leeds is a properly run club with no massive benefactor a la Lenighan and Moran. The club has a good record of promotion from within, a good record of bringing decent overseas players in and getting the best from them, and a shocking record when it comes to big name overseas players!

Mc Dermott is a very canny, but also very quirky individual. Lowes is very much the same. they were obviously both legends as players for us and are both held in very high esteem by bulls fans ( in a similar way to how Francis Cummins is by many on here!)

He is a very systematic person. He will have had three objectives for this season: 1, win WCC, 2 WIn CC, 3 WIn SL.

To be 80 mins away from hitting 2 of those and getting to the final in the third is some acheivement.

Part of me hoped that you'd go out early in the playoffs, and Jimmy and Mac would come to us, but that wassnt to be!

Best of luck for the final. Whoever wins, let it be because the best team wins, not because a ref has a 'mare!

Who cares?

It's finals rugby. It's the end result that counts. If we were second best for 70 minutes and nick it I could live with that.

That hurts. I'm not really in the habit of making things up.



Noble probably didn't use 'because' in that way as that would be harsh coming from the national coach (I've already clarified that I've interpreted the comments) but I still recall him stating the non selection was after Sinfield had stated where he wished to play.

I can't recall the context but Noble said he didn't want to keep Sinfield hanging around for an opportunity like he had the previous series. Sinfield IIRC had just become a father for the first time - perhaps that also had an influence.



You have linked to soudbites. They don't go into the detail I recall seeing at the time. Do you accept the possibility that such as the YEP could have covered the comments in greater detail?

Anyone out there with YEP's from October 2004 would be useful at this point. I don't but almost certainly read the comments on their website at that time. I've no idea how to link to them now but just because I have poor IT skills doesn't prove the article containing a fuller text of the Noble comments doesn't exist.

Quote: because "That hurts. I'm not really in the habit of making things up. '" It's your age. You probably don't even realise you're doing it. Quote: because " Noble probably didn't use 'because' in that way as that would be harsh coming from the national coach (I've already clarified that I've interpreted the comments) but I still recall him stating the non selection was after Sinfield had stated where he wished to play. '" He probably didn't use "because" because he probably never said it. Quote: because " I can't recall the context but Noble said he didn't want to keep Sinfield hanging around for an opportunity like he had the previous series. Sinfield IIRC had just become a father for the first time - perhaps that also had an influence. '" So, his exclusion was due to demanding his own position and having the temerity to father a child. Noble has a lot of prejudices. Maybe it's just because Sinfield plays for "them [is[/i". That's a verifiable Brian Noble quote from Jamie Peacock's autobiography and I'd interpret those sentiments as having more to do with Noble's attitude to Sinfield. His predecessors and followers have all been happy to select Sinfield. Hmmmm. Quote: because " Anyone out there with YEP's from October 2004 would be useful at this point. I don't but almost certainly read the comments on their website at that time. I've no idea how to link to them now but just because I have poor IT skills doesn't prove the article containing a fuller text of the Noble comments doesn't exist.'" Try this link www.cantlinktowhatdoesnotexist.com

Quote: because "That hurts. I'm not really in the habit of making things up. '" It's your age. You probably don't even realise you're doing it. Quote: because " Noble probably didn't use 'because' in that way as that would be harsh coming from the national coach (I've already clarified that I've interpreted the comments) but I still recall him stating the non selection was after Sinfield had stated where he wished to play. '" He probably didn't use "because" because he probably never said it. Quote: because " I can't recall the context but Noble said he didn't want to keep Sinfield hanging around for an opportunity like he had the previous series. Sinfield IIRC had just become a father for the first time - perhaps that also had an influence. '" So, his exclusion was due to demanding his own position and having the temerity to father a child. Noble has a lot of prejudices. Maybe it's just because Sinfield plays for "them [is[/i". That's a verifiable Brian Noble quote from Jamie Peacock's autobiography and I'd interpret those sentiments as having more to do with Noble's attitude to Sinfield. His predecessors and followers have all been happy to select Sinfield. Hmmmm. Quote: because " Anyone out there with YEP's from October 2004 would be useful at this point. I don't but almost certainly read the comments on their website at that time. I've no idea how to link to them now but just because I have poor IT skills doesn't prove the article containing a fuller text of the Noble comments doesn't exist.'" Try this link www.cantlinktowhatdoesnotexist.com

Thanks for the reply. You appear to have responded to each of my comments but not to the question I asked - namely



Presumably you do accept that possibility?

You assume correctly. Your definition of success and failure appears far too black and white for me. To reach the final of any sporting event represents success to get to all the finals in one season represents quite a deal of success. To get to the GF for the 2nd year running with the handicap of a 5th place finish is certainly not a failure. Do you apply these same judgements of success or failure to your everyday life tvoc? Do you judge yourself a failure because you have a boss?

Once we get to kick off time the coaches work is all but done. They have prepared their teams both physically and mentally, they have rehed their games plans and tactics and they have motivated their charges. Once the whistle blows it is down to the players to do their bit with very little more the coaches can do......as in the regular rounds.

If the players fail to deliver or were beaten by a better side on the day or were unlucky does not mean total failure. Neither does it have to mean the coaches were at fault.




Maybe because on these odd occassions they are swamped by your negative default setting.

Why should he. You never do and you always demand proof.

You made the allegation and therefore it is upon you to prove it. You have put forward on more than one thread your idea that McDermott is overruled by player power. You stated that "Sinfield's wish to only play in a certain position..." You inferred that Noble had said the same.

The key word in "only" implying a take it or leave it attitude on behalf of Sinfield. Not only is this a slur on Sinfield's impeccable reputation but an intended slight at the coach too.

I too do not believe that anyone said he would "only play" in his prefered position and even if there were any quotes, this would only be heresay and could not be taken as proof that he said it. So take out the word "only" and you have no argument at all.

Good pi55ing contest this.

What was Tony Smith's attitude or prejudice towards Sinfield when he dropped him for the Semi Final of the World Cup against the Kiwis in 2008?

Sinfield is Head Coach in all but name.