Sorry, I don't understand the question. I'd imagine Hauraki has been asked to play the role a fully fit Ali would play from the bench.

Pitts has shown better form in the previous two game but which "spot" are we talking about? Pitts played starting 2nd rower and he played it well. However, when JJB, Ablett and Clarkson are fit he ranks behind them. For go forward impact off the bench I can understand the rationale behind selecting Hauraki ahead of Pitts.

Look, all I am saying is Mcdermott has shown he is willing to leave out bothe Cross and hauraki so I fail to see how you can conclude he picked Hauraki only because he was an overseas signing. In any event, as has been shown, it would appear Cross and hauraki were GH signings, as are nearly all the players I would imagine.

Ok, understand what your saying. But what if you find Hauraki and Ali on the bench tonight? Is it then the right decision?

And moving on to that and not Just getting at Hauarki, why is Ali straight back in without proving himself again in the reserves?

IMO no. Then again maybe given the poor form shown by the opposition the coach thinks this might be an idea to get Ali some game time (fitness) and Hauraki a chance show any improvement in the defence. Also perhaps limit JJB and Ablett's game time for the two big games on the horizon.

You think Ali gets special treatment? Did he get special treatment at last year's CC Final?

TBH, what's the difference between throwing him in against Quins and playing him in the Academy?

The only reason, and most important for me, is that other players are more deserving.

He saves face by not having as many people watch him hobble off with another leg injury

Tonight is the perfect chance for Hauraki to improve and Ali to get game-time under his belt as G1 says but.....that's all fine and well as long as Pitts is straight back in next week imo.

If he continues to make missed tackles tonight then I have a feeling we won't see him for a while. Clarkson back, Ali back, BJB and Waktkins won't be long which will free up Delaney (If McDermott see's him as a back rower). He has just got to take this chance...

Ali has played for the club for 7 years, he does not need to 'prove himself'. If he is fit then if the coach feels he fits in with the team plans he should play.

It's not his fault he has had such awful luck with injuries.

He has been contracted to the club for 7 years but unfortunately due to injuries has only played 6 games....

Of course he doesn't have to prove himself over his playing ability...just his ability to complete a full match without leaving the lads in the sh*t. He needs to play in the 20s for a few weeks to see if he still has a rugby career.

...and to quote the Rhino's twitter feed on 38 minutes 'the magician is back'

I wasn't meant to be taken literally! I said on a thread a few week ago that he can keep Clarkson/Ablett out of the squad IF he gets himself sorted. I cannot get to the game tonight but it sounds like he is rolling back the years and has lost a few pounds. Hopefully he can stay fit for a reasonable amount of time!

It’s southstander.com aka short memories galore.. what else was you expecting on here?

What has his previous form got to do with him staying fit? Nobody is doubting if he is good enough. He is up there with the best overseas signings. But that is irrelevant if he keeps pulling up during games.

Anyway, according to Big Eorl, we dont "wrestle enough" and thats why we find ourselves on the back foot quite a bit. Fair point though. Compared to the top teams anyway.

Oh and did you hear his great expert analysis earlier?

"That was a bit of poo defending on the inside by Leeds."

Pretty good technical analysis if you ask me