Have we got a choice?

Watched the game back last night. Really lifted the intensity and quality in the second half. Martin will be a big big miss imo. He’s mr consistent with a great goal kick and smart brain. He’s also a dangerous open field runner. Big big miss and will take some replacing

JOC is very quickly becoming one of my fav players to watch, constant intensity in D and can pick a line. I think having him at 13 and ackers on the field too offered a lot yesterday

We looked miles better yesterday with out Cameron Smith stifling everything.

Smith needs to be moved to prop, but i think the majority think that, hopefully the coach sees it that way too.

Well, Cam Smith would be available again........ Keep the same starting team and have him on the bench? Keep Frawley as Captain?

Totally forgot about Cam
Get him on the bench for Littlewood imo, but interested to see how Arthur decides to play it

I hadn't forgotten about him. I just disregarded him

I think it might be wise for everyone to take a deep breath after yesterday and look at the season as a whole. The reason why we are struggling to make the top half of the table is down to inept performances from Frawley amongst others. In fact inept is being kind, he can only be described as dreadful across the season. It wasn’t just a handful (five) games, we only have 6 games left before he has shown he is fit to wear the shirt. If he takes 20 games next season to come to the fore we are in the same situation again. He performed well yesterday, as did quite a few others, but it’s just one game. Let’s see how he and the team do against Wire next week, to prove we’re not a one game a season team. As for keeping him as Captain, I’m happy for him to be the de facto Capt if it means Cam Smith doesn’t necessarily start the game or takes on a different role as some have suggested. I’d prefer to see the ball in Frawley’s hands going straight to another player other than Cam Smith. I’d keep Cam Smith as the official Captain, I don’t see the point of demeaning him by taking the armband off him, he’s been an honest and loyal servant that deserves to see the remainder of the season out as official Captain even if he reduces his minutes and on field responsibility now and then for the sake of the team. It will be interesting to see what Arthur does next week, because it wasn’t a master stroke of his to drop Smith. I’d like to see us go with a similar set up to yesterday with Smith as more of a ball handling prop if necessary. Let’s enjoy yesterday for what it was, but knee jerk talk of Brad Arthur finally finding and utilising the so far untapped talents of the likes of Frawley may be a tad optimistic. I certainly wouldn’t be planning an assault on the top two next year based on the majority of this squad.

Cam is good in defence,just doesn't have the speed as a ball playing LF. Should use him more as an extra prop and focus on taking runs early or passing and not trying to create

Quote: FlyingScottyDonald "Where can I watch the full match and not just hilights?'" Here you go... https://youtu.be/ESJ30N3LjaU?si=Q95OPH7G7y9anWoz

Quote: FlyingScottyDonald "Where can I watch the full match and not just hilights?'" Here you go... https://youtu.be/ESJ30N3LjaU?si=Q95OPH7G7y9anWoz

It was a superb performance from the team , although there are still many areas to work on. We now have a coach who has many years experience in the NRL ,and boy does it show. We have line speed in d , forwards running in channels against halfbacks , kicking to corners , and a new man in Frawley - all this in a few weeks. Brads comment that this performance means nothing , if we don`t do the same against Wire says it all - this is the attitude we want .
I have to say that we don`t have the calibre of players to play at this level every week ( too many weak links eg. Fusi , Sangare , Morofski , etc ) but if we can keep Brad even for just a year , I feel confident that with some sensible recruitment ( not one of strengths ) , we can become a realistic top 6 contender next year.
Finally , all you numpties who kept making excuses for RS ( not his team , need dry grounds etc ) should hang your heads in shame - he was clueless and should have gone months ago. When you watch a coach interviewed after a game , and you think he was not watching the same game as me - that tells you everything !!!! As Brad says , Wigan counts for nothing , unless we back it up with the same against Wire - now that we all agree with and the attitude that we all want.
Come on you Rhinos !!!!!

Personally, I lost faith around the time of the Challenge Cup loss, and the performances after then built on that. I wasn't happy with last year but I did think we needed a lot of new blood, and was sort of willing to accept the chaos it caused. What changed for me was that despite the new faces the problems with the performances were the same.

Should I have hopped off the Smith train earlier? Maybe, with the benefit of hindsight. But there weren't many people calling for Smith's head when Ackers and Croft were announced in the off season. Were you suggesting Smith should have been sacked in 2022? If not, why not? Wasn't it obvious as he turned us from relegation candidates to grand finalists that he was utterly incompetent? Or does that not count for some reason?

I just don't see the point in having a dig at people for hoping that things would turn around. Anyway Arthur seems like the real deal, and I do like what he says after matches, calling out individuals for issues with performances even when we win is a refreshing change. I think I'd be happy if he stays even if for just one year.

harigeorgeson wants a word

I agree on Smith, I don't think he was unintelligent, incompetent or clueless. I honestly think it's more bad luck than anything that it didn't work out. I think more than anything he was too stubborn and set in his own philosophies of how the game should be played. Arthur has already shown his experience, he will have to adapt to the slow speed of the ruck, not the other way round that.

On the game, what a great performance, but we need to back it up. For me O'Connor needs to start at 13, and as others have said move Cam Smith to prop (and do shorter minutes). If Bentley could play like that every week, we'd be a totally different team. It's not often you see a Leeds backrow dominate. Martin has that bit of class, footwork and skills, Bentley frustrates and is everywhere, and McDonnell was physical upfront and aggressive. Love the way Arthur said in his post match presser Bentley still needs to prove himself to Arthur if he wants to stay out on the pitch.