Leeds are now 6th and have already secured an easy home play-off fixture against whipping boy SL rabble.

Shouldn't they be protecting what they've already secured by resting players and throwing the game?

Spoke with him after the Saints game and he said that the ribs weren't that bad and he'd defo be back for the Wigan game (his words not mine).

In comes zi German. www.therhinos.co.uk/news/23750.php#.VAcsR6NZiKU

In comes zi German. www.therhinos.co.uk/news/23750.php#.VAcsR6NZiKU

The next 2 weeks could be a big opportunity for Keinhorst, if he gets a game. Putting him straight in would be the path of fewest changes to other first teamers' normal positions.

I'd go with..
Hardaker
Briscoe
Watkins
Keinhorst
Hall
Sinfield
McGuire
Peacock
Aiton
Bailey
Ablett
Jjb
Delaney

Achurch
Leuleui
Sutcliffe
Burrow.

I very much doubt Hardaker will be playing in this game. The pressure and abuse he's had to contend with this week will not be productive in terms of being able focus on the task in hand.
The outcome of all of this will also have a major bearing on our chances of further silverware this season - it's that serious.

I think we'll see Watkins or Briscoe having spells at FB on Friday, with a view to deciding who to put there for the rest of the season should the worst happen.

I was thinking about this earlier and actually considered the opposite. In 2012 when Wane tried his best to get McGuire banned for the playoff semi and in 2011 with the whole siege mentality "for all those who wrote this team off" thing. It could actually build that siege mentality again judging by GH's statement earlier.

Possibly, I'm not all that sure if that mentality would be successful against Wigan again. Quite often when we play them, when things don't go our way we turn into an ill disciplined rabble.

Wigan have showed how to rattle this side - Friday will be no different.

Leeds are a superior side on paper and if the game were just played out they would win at a canter. Unfortunately that is unlikely to happen as Wigan will revert to the usual niggling low ball tactics. The question is can Leeds keep a lid on it and rise above it all and just play rugby?

Leeds have put out a united front.

Zak's a rugby player who will want to play rugby, get him out there like business as usual.

I agree - He will be fired up to make a point

Quite a disruptive week for Brian Mac. He knows he is without Moon but he will have to have spent time on other options just in case we are without Hardaker too and will have spent time in counselling Zak.

I am sure he will have been trying to channel the anger, that must be felt at Headingley, into a positive response on the field. The problem maybe the players sticking to the game plan if we get some more bad decisions going against us on Friday. We must stay cool and start well.

If all fit I would start with Burrow at 9 and play Ablett at centre as it is expecting a lot of Keinhorst to step up the grades and hit the straps in such an important match - so Ward and Keinhorst to drop out.

I confess I forgot all about zie German..... How fickle am I?

The fact he is brought into the squad 'out of the blue' can only mean McDermott intends to start him as a direct replacement for Moon: maybe not such a bad thng as it keeps Ablett in the forwards where he has excelled this season.

I hope Hardaker can overcome the hurdle of his trial by twitter lynch mob.

Would he be stepping up grades? Hasn't he been playing for wakey? Not really paid attention to them for a while