Hooker is the most important position in modern rugby league. Buderus was a world-class hooker. McShane is not a world-class hooker. Burrow is not a hooker. It doesn't take a genius to realise this squad is going to have to compensate elsewhere on the pitch if we're to reach the heights of the end of last season.

We are far stronger with them on the field. Control the middle much better with them on.

Then Kylie's introduction either side of half time was an effective use of his time, we dropped on as well as he was there to make some high velocity returns from a couple of drop-outs.

Did Griffin get injured as he only got very limited game time - 15 mins in one stint? I noted from him 1 decent drive, solid tackling and a silly lazy arm tackle that was penalised. Or maybe he is just filling Kirkes game time allowance.

for me sinny was very poor on attack and defence, rob and danny as half backs for me sinny at loose and after pre seasons games moore should have been on bench not griffin also lets see what happens when hood back.

Agree Burrow starting at Hooker did not work.
If he is going to fill in at hooker bring him on as interchange.
Burrow and McGuire at half back sinny LF for me.
I actually think Hood would have made the 17 along with McShane if fit.
McDermott said all the players in the squad will get a game in the next 4 to 6 weeks so maybe he is not sure yet himself what his 17 is going to be.
Does anyone know how bad JJB`s injury is?

Show some faith, the CEO said Buderus wouldn't be needlessly released unless a player of equal status was acquired first. There again he also said Leeds would be spending the full salary cap allowance again this season and implied the SouthStand would fall down if it wasn't replaced.

I agree Burrow starting did not work, however when McShane came of the bench he looked like a duck out of water

I was surprised to see Burrow start.
But when McShane came on I thought he struggled & was substituted pretty sharpish after his greedy one man effort to score from dummy half that ended with him conceding possession after he was bundled over the dead in goal line.
Burrow's return against a by then rapidly tiring big HKR pack sparked us back into life.

Surprised you mention that OF especially as RB tried it twice when we were set for a kick and also got nowhere.

I agree. I still have doubts regarding McShane. IMO he often suffers from that "greedy one man effort" stuff ...a bit reminiscent of Tansey in that respect.

Maybe McShane was not fully fit or perhaps with the WCC coming up the coach didn't want to lose our only hooker to injury.

You mean the "one man efforts" that created trys for Watkins and Hall at Cas aswell as a clever DH try for himself ??
What about Halls try against Fev and again Maccas own effort?
Every 9 in the comp at times have a go themselves near the line and what about RB trying twice from further out and getting nowhere?
The kid was on for no longer than 15 minutes and at a time when HKR had the defensive momentum and had a go at Dh and now you doubt him and imply he's greedy on a regular basis it shows you haven't watched an awful lot of him imo.

Some fair points about Burrow but the fact still remains that those of us who have watched McShane a lot are still very unsure as to his ability at SL level let alone for a top side in SL.

I think he has the potential to take the 9 shirt Sal he's shown to be very creative at times and whilst i agree he isn't the finished article i think he needs games and more than 10 minutes FFS.

Is starting sinfield at 9 not an option played there for England, and it frees burrow to 7 and mcguire at 6

He is still young, give him time, he has some great skills..we have so many exciting young players, i don't mind seeing mistakes, for me it shows they are not robots.