I could have sworn Luke Burgess' contract was due to run out at the end of the season?

<waits to be proved wrong by our resident statto>

How long are the new deals?

I would suspect from reading the article on the YEP site that they are on 1 year deals? I would expect that to be the case with Donald, Ali, Kylie, Buderus and maybe Diskin

I have mixed views about it really. Firstly where it leaves McShane and secondly Ali.

From what we've seen of McShane over the last few weeks he looks ready for first team rugby next year. I just hope he is happy been loaned out.

It must be a risk giving Ali an extension. It would be interesting if tvoc could get some stats on the amount of games he has played over the last 2 years. I hope he proves me wrong but I have a feeling that could be a bad call.

However its an absolute testament to everyone at the rhinos from GH, to the coaching staff, to the players that this special group of players will remain together for yet another year.

I wonder if any of the players have taken pay cuts also? I would have though Buderus would not be getting the £3 billion a year he is on now

Key quote:

""Our policy is always to review the squad at the end of each season, which is what we have done for a number of years regardless of the success or failure of the previous campaign. We will continue with this policy but safe in the knowledge that our own world class talent is contracted to us for next season.

In the current global market place and with more and more clubs spending to the full salary cap limit, the challenge of attracting and signing world class players is becoming tougher and tougher. Therefore, it makes sense to secure the very best players before looking elsewhere."

So, basically, this is a smart move, IMO, tying up our entire squad pending re-evaluation at the end of the season. If we want to keep the players, other clubs can't get at them; if we don't, they can be used as tradebait for other in-contract players. As it stands, I imagine we're spending the full cap.

I wouldn't be unhappy at all starting next season with this squad though. After all, everyone at the start of the season was saying this is best Rhinos squad ever, and they haven't had a chance to show their full strength with the amount of injuries there have been.

(I wouldn't mind a top prop for Burgess/Kirke though. This might happen under the cap if Webb goes to the darkside as rumoured. Although this would be a big loss to the team there would be no need for a fullback replacement with BJB and Smith in the squad)

Does Senior get an pass from training on a Thursday so he can collect his pension?

He is still one of the best centres in SL. Would you like to see Senior lining up against us next year and who would you have lining up against him?

Not at all. the consensus of opinion on here pre season was that this was the Rhinos best ever squad. I, in my usual sage like manner, urged caution about bestowing such titles before they'd been earned.

But, like Mr Izzard says, if our knowledgeable* fan base considered this squad our best ever this pre-season I fail to understand why they would display anything other than pure joy at the squad being kept together for another year.



*For the avoidance of doubt, that bit [iwas[/i heavy sarcasm.

Fair enough. i thought the team was good at the start of the season albeit a little on the older side. i think what we need to start doing with the squad is blooding the young. if that means bringing in younger players from other teams if the academy isn't producing so be it. Opens up healthy competition and reduces the risk of having a 'transition' period

Oh dear. Don't even go there mate.

I'm more than happy with the re-signings.

Donald, Buderus + TMFMISL is the real good news.

Is that really good news? The report in reality says very little, other than signed a new contract, nothing else.

I was told by a very good source weeks back that Bailey had been offered a 2 year contract by Leeds, but had been offered a 3 year deal from Cas and another club. He wanted 3 years, but Leeds were adamant only 2. I said at the time that I reckoned he would sign the new 2 year deal on offer.

I would be suprised if that deal signed now is only a one year deal, of which we are non the wiser today.