Those players you alluded to have been busting a gut every time they walk on to a rugby pitch, is it the lack of effort or form you are upset about because every players seem to give 100% effort to me. And if its form that is a factor that players have limited control over and have to continually work on, Are you at the "top of your game" every time you go to work?

But surely this particular game would be exceptional to the salary cap.

Only one team can appear in it. Therefore it would be unfair to penalise that team that appears in it by including any payments in the cap. That would immediately put that team at a disadvantage to the other sides, as the other sides are not taking part.

The cap for leveling out the competition is exactly that, for the Super League competition. The WCC is outside the super league competition.

Very astute Gotcha.

I, for one, would prefer if this were kept inside the dressing room, at least until after the event.

Yet you were fairly critical of him last year for not spending up to the cap and not strengthening the 3rd consecutive title winning squad to your satisfaction.

I've never heard of the reigning SL Champions being given a different salary cap allowance to the rest of the comp in recognition of this extra fixture.

The Leeds players are contracted from November to October. That they will have to take part in this extra fixture (over and above their SL duties) by comparison with the rest of the SL teams is the price they pay for being successful the previous year.

The only payment I've seen as been outside the salary cap calculation is the payment of any bonus received as a share of the prize money paid out by the RFL.

But that's being fairly obtuse when the regulations themselves envisage and allow the club to pass on all or part of any prize money without it being included in the salary cap.

I know you're discussing the issue with Gotcha but I thought he was being clear and you're attempting to knit fog.

As was the CEO himself who perhaps like me had ambitions of retaining the WCC and having a successful run in the Challenge Cup given a favourable draw, as well as retaining the title.

I blame the up coming X factor gig for our poor start to the season...very distracting IMHO.

You also lauded Hull for the signing of Sam Moa and this Lueaki character who you were only this past few weeks praising very highly.

You might wish to speak to Paul Cullen about this Leuaki chap.

I had a few opinions last season (I'll likely as not have a few more this one also as it unfolds.) I'm out there.

I have no wish to speak to Paul Cullen ever (has he divulged or withdrawn last weeks 'tip of the iceberg' drug abuse allegations yet?) but I will still take note of what he has to say, I presume this will be on Boots 'N All will it?

Any news on Donald yet?

It was on a bit I saw (I am recording it for later viewing). He basically highlights this Leuaki character as the reason for Hulls defeat. Does a real hatchet job on him.

That was all I saw. I hope but don't expect, Eddie to ask him about the RFLs response to his rambling rant.

Just watching it now, Cullen hatchet job is right. From that I'd say Lauaki just needs to reign it in slightly otherwise an excellent example of the type of niggling away that ruffles the opposition set.

Some might say reminiscent of what Ryan Bailey does so effectively for Leeds when he's on his game.

Effective being the key word. That didn't look effective.

McClennan himself and Sinfield have said things along the lines Eastwood has about the whole team being focussed on the WCC. Lets hope if they lose they don't go and lose a bunch more games afterwards in another WCC hangover.

TBH if that's been the attitude its no surprise at all if we've struggled to date. Personally I think its the wrong way to warm up for a big game - I think the old Wigan approach of playing harder if anything in the run up to a cup final is the way to go. It's also a red rag - if any were needed - for our opponents to be effectively treated as pre-season games.

Who would you drop and who would you bring in?
For mine the only player who seems to have had a raw deal is Burgess.