During their respective careers Kirke has been selected in two finals where Ali has not been selected. I wouldn't call the outcome of those games successful.

yes he did. I noted that.

But he spoilt it by apologising for it.

That about sums him up. Big unit, so we should see hits like this regular. But he doesn't have the mental aggression to see things through.

Look at Baileys hit on Morley (another ball spiller) after that did you see Bailey show concern? Nup, he looked over him and enjoyed the moment. You can see he gets off on it.

That rawness you cannot coach in or out of someone. That is a problem for me.

agree kirke should display more aggression. It appears he's happy fulfilling his cameo rather than improving.

I too would expect a special swansong from ali if he got the nod

I really don't understand why people were critical of that particular tactic. Right from the start, it looked like a smart move to me.

On Kirke, as someone has mentioned, he clearly plays the role that he is asked to. He's been a regular in the team under the last 3 coaches (including the great Tony Smith) and played in all 3 of the GF wins over Saints, arguments that have all been used in favour of Bailey in the past, yet somehow it's different for Kirke?

Most can see what Bailey brings to the table (if limited); most can't see what Kirke does that others could do ( [iat least[/i ) just as easily. His presence is incidental to those victories, as it is to the defeats at Wembley.

Tell me please what Kirke offers over Ali ?

Tell me what Kirke offers over Amor ?

I'm willing to be educated

Fitness and the ability to usually finish a game without limping off springs to mind .

Not surprising though is it when he only plays ten minutes and makes a couple of ineffective drives

I dread to think

Seriously...I give up.

If you (and others) can consider Kirke a better option than even "the pale imitation of the 2007 version Ali" who is still more than capable of better fulfilling the impact prop role , then I can do no more than despair at my apparent myopia.

Probably depends (yet again) on how fit Ali is. If he is, and is raring to go even for 15-20 minutes, I'd have him in the squad ahead of Hauraki. I suspect his general fitness is probably behind his non-selection recently, rather than anything tactical.

As for Kirke, right now I don't see anyone in the squad who would do a better job as a prop in the GF - i.e. solid, likely to not make mistakes. Ali is not a prop. His strength is running out wide at centres, not straight at opposition forwards. Even if he was fit, I wouldn't ask him to play that role.

I think Lauitiiti has in the past and could still fulfil the role Kirke is currently being tasked with if asked to do so and offer more energy, urgency and threat while he's out there.

I've seen no evidence this season that Lauitiiti would be unable to cover the 10 to 15 minute spell Leeds are requiring to re-charge Peacock's duracells.