There are always exceptions to every rule! I give Hardaker the credit and benefit of the doubt but the pass was launched into space rather than to a player and the very underrated Keinhorst made it into a great pass by tracking the trajectory and running onto it at a great angle and pace. If Hardaker looked to pass more often rather than always trying to crash through the man and so die with the ball he would become a much better player.

I agree in general re Hardaker, though like Sutcliffe who receives similar criticism, they've rarely had many good options to pass to. On this occasion he did thanks to some good support running from the left hand side.

On a related note I think Keinhorst is really proving his worth. I hope Leeds keep hold of him.

I think Hardaker has been trying to add more passing to his game this season, obviously aware of his shortcomings in this area, and our limitations with creative players absent.

Glad to see him trying to improve his game, rather than rest on his laurels, even if it will lead to a few more errors in the short term until it becomes more natural to him

Thing is with Zak he trys to do too much with the ball sometimes if you know what I mean, trying to skin 5 players with pace who now know just how dangerous he is as a running threat but know its odds on that he wont pass so can focus on shutting him down. Instead of letting the ball do the work with a smart pass / offload and keeping defenders guessing and putting doubt into their descision making.

He may have some of the attributes you describe but bravery IMO isn't yet consistently among them. Was he avoiding contact to seek space when with his first carry he ran virtually along the try line not making nor seeking to make any forward progress whatsoever (in doing so giving up valuable territory) until after dummying a pass to Hardaker he finally headed upfield surrendered into the Hull defensive line and was driven back around three metres. Joe Vickery deservedly got sacked over a similar looking effort at the KC Stadium with an even more disasterous outcome.

Not suggesting the same should happen to Golding, he also made some good determined carries mixed in with the poor ones. I'm hoping he can ditch the half d efforts because I agree there could be a player in there worth persevering with but I've yet to see a 1st grade performances where he's consistently brave and it'll remain an issue until he does ..... for me.




Was that the thread where you said

Did you get your wish? How did it work out?

You'll have to excuse my RU ignorance but who is this Eddie Jones geezer talking here

That was correct I didn't, that fact was established before offering my sum knowledge of Owen Farrell which was that his dad was a good rugby league player. To which you replied

Nor should it as it was a non-opinion based on no knowledge or interest but then why have you held on to it for four years while mis-representing it as my rubbishing a young player.

You have to beware what you wish for with regard to returning the ball "bravely". I'd rather someone of the physical stature of Golding looked to avoid contact in general. If he runs it back straight into a line of forwards he's running a bigger risk of either knocking on or sustaining injury, especially in conditions like those of Friday night.

Yeah I'd agree with that. It's ok for Hall to run it back like a forward because he's built like one, Golding's not but he has more speed and footwork. Got to play to his strengths not Hall or Briscoe's.

that's fine but he needs to find what works for him. On Friday he was driven back almost every carry

And him running sideways like a poor man's Calderwood is achieving what? He should take a leaf out of Handley's book. And lose the scrum cap. He's playing on the wing for Christ's sake!

Oh dear.

Not just the false teeth. Someone seems to have the brain as well.

Sssshhhh he know's Stevie Ward personally

Yet he also made some strong carries, especially those just after half time - perhaps he'd had the ticking off his 1st half performance had IMO merited. Going about his work half heartedly will only IMO increase his risk of injury.

League is a tough sport - for me it's not an age thing at 19, not everyone has the intestinal fortitude - if he hasn't got it the game will find him out.

I didn't say running sideways was what he should do. It's just some people (and I don't mean tvoc here, I mean people in general) often want the back 3 to run the ball back in at full speed regardless of what the defence is like.
There's a reason why few players, including forwards, run the ball back in fast and straight, it's a recipe for disaster if the defence is set properly.

As Printer says he needs to use his footwork or he'll get battered.

The back three need to get forward first on kick returns taking the cheap metres on offer. That was my concern with Golding on Friday, the impression I got was that he was more concerned with linking with Hardaker then taking the cheap metres first. Any attempted pass in those conditions would have been risky - thankfully he only threatened to throw one but the effort in looking to pass cost the forwards metres they could have used.

I agree that footwork and evasion at the defensive line is advised but get there first not let it get to you first.

Collect the ball, make metres quickly by running forward, stay away from touch then use footwork to avoid a heavy hit and not get knocked backwards. Then get a quick PTB on the front foot. It's not difficult in those conditions. If you are Tom Briscoe and can ride a heavy hit, and it's dry, you might consider an offload to Ryan Hall or Hardaker. Otherwise it's up the jumper stuff and get moving forward.