Chicken and egg IMO Gareth. I'd say he got less game time because he was being less effective rather than the other way around. Fielden was immense and for a period of 2-3 years arguably the best front rower in the world. The workload he had to bear in his last couple of years at the Bulls however is one that no prop could carry for any length of time, it's just past the limits of human endurance.

As was mentioned by Richie, I think you get the best out of Peacock by playing him for longer spells.

I wonder if it would be best playing him for 60-70mins in the bigger games, and resting him for the 'lesser' games.

This would give the chance to play the likes of Amor, Ambler or whoever.

Bluey has already mentioned squad rotation so maybe, in terms of Peacock, that would be the best way around it.

I think we should do similar with Senior and Watkins in terms of saving Senior for the bigger games and letting Watkins get more game time against the 'lesser' teams.

Fair comment. I concur with Richie and Rossrhino that to get the best of Peacock he needs lengthy game time as he's not what you would describe as impact, more endurance. However, if they want to prolong his career then he should see plenty of rest this year. I suspect Bluey will have to "sell" that concept hard to him though.

Like I said, pull him out for when it matters and let him take a breather for the likes of Salford, Crusaders (not the first game of the season mind) etc (no disrespect to those sorts of teams).

Its a good excuse to get Amor and co some game time and experience which can only do us good in the future.

The other aspect of our squad / pack at the moment is, look at who the younger players are learning from.

McShane - Buderus / Diskin
Watkins / Coady - Senior
BJB - Webb
Amor / Ambler / Burgess - Peacock

Its fantastic for us to be in that position that quality players and leaders within our club can help mould the next generation of Rhinos player.

The key point IMO

- A hungry pack all eagerly playing for their places is no bad thing. The thought of having a bad game, being dropped and then having to fight for your place back has got to be a sobering one.

- Injuries .... And they will come. We've now got strength in depth and could lose 4 or 5 forwards to the treatment table and still put out a frontline pack good enough to take on most teams in the competition.

- The post WCC slump. Last year, when we had that shocking period around Easter, we were pretty much playing with our first choice side needing to be selected every week. Essentially, we won the league last season with two front-line forwards unavailable to us for pretty much the whole season (Buderus's injuries and Eastwood's visa). This time we can get the whole first choice squad to peak in time for the WCC and come out the following week to get stuck in to them with some of the squad players. No falling over at Cas the week after for us these days.

Unlike last year, with the departure of Ellis, we've still got pretty much the same players available plus a fit Buderus and Eastwood (not to mention Pitts and Amor). If you consider Saints to still be our nearest rivals for silverwear, we've got a 22 year old world cup winner coming in to our squad and they've got, er, Nick Fozzard ....

& Soliola I believe.
Plus all their youngsters with another year's experience under their belts.
Let's not count them out just yet.
But I do expect us still to prevail.
The Wolves will be a team to watch & maybe Wigan under a new coach.
All in all can't wait for the next 4 weeks to fly by.
My fear would be longterm injuries to Burrow, McGuire & Sinfield.

Plus moore and Soliola.

Soliola ... If he stays fit.

Moore ... Who would you rather have ? Diskin / Buderus or Moore ?

You could say the same about Delaney & Eastwood who have both been out of action & yet to be seen in Rhinos colours.
As an Englishman I'd rather see Diskin & Moore, as a Rhino, Diskin & Buderus - if the latter stays fit!

It's been my theory all along that Buderus wasn't just signed for what he can bring to the team on the field, but what he can do for our other No.9s (Diskin & McShane) off the field on the training paddock.

In the "History Makers" book released before xmas, I think it's Sinfield's chapter IIRC, mentions that Buderus is an important influence off the pitch.

Diskin and Buderus of cause.My point was that Soliola has signed although he'll probably play at centre plus Moore returning will also be like a new signing.

That's exactly why he was brought over.

Rubbish.