The time has come for G.H to tell us what the hell is going on , it is clear to me and many more Leeds fans i have spoken to that we are a far better side when Sir Kev is playing . Whether that be at stand off or loose forward matters not . Yes he is going at the end of the season but there are trophies up for grabs this year . Since the announcment of his decision to leave he has been treated appalingly and with disrespect by Mac and the club . Why on earth the presentation on his 500th appearance was not done before the kick off i will never know . Then suddenly he is no longer good enough to make the 17 whilst certain jokers are selected before him . If after todays shambles he is not Selected to start on Saturday (and knowing how pig headed Mac is that is possible) then maybe it is time to for a change to the coaching staff as it would be beyond belief .

Sinfield will play on Saturday for his goal kicking alone. He may well be better than Burrow - his inclusion before Sinfield is baffling, but for 18 months Sinfield's form has been patchy at best. The idea that he is suddenly going to be the 2010 Sinfield and turn everything around doesn't stand up to scrutiny based on his recent form.

There needs to be a transition and part of that is bringing youngsters on - let's not forget Sinfield headed up some pretty poor defeats last season every bit as bad as yesterday's if not worse.

Great post.

He has played about 65 minutes of rugby in how many weeks? if the club was planning on using him for a big game, surely you ensure he is match fit?

That means he has to play every week and how you get transition with the inclusion of such an iconic and dominant individual playing I am not sure. He is certainly worth his place before Burrow, Achurch etc

I'd see him playing in a similar way to how Buderus and Burrow operated at the end of 2011.

When Burrow came off the bench, it was often not to replace Buderus but with the Australian shifting into a loose-forward role defending in the middle unit.

I reckon you could start Sinfield at 9, then bring Aiton off the bench say after 20 minutes and have Sinfield operate in a similar way to how Buderus did. A few carries, but not as a pivot and defending in the middle third. Also means you've got him out there for his kicking game.

He can then take a breather at some point in the game if he needs to with one of the other back row options slotting in to that middle unit and doing a similar job.

Agree with this.
We do not need Sinfield at 6 or 13 but we could do with his captaincy and of course his kicking.
Hooker is probably the nearest we are going to get for this to happen.

Can you see him settling for this type of role? The idea is a good one not sure its implementable if that is such a word?

Buderus was able to operate in the forwards because he was able to hit hard and play at an intensity in defence that Sinfield can't match.

Completely agree with Sals first post and AG's idea.

Buderus's tackling technique was exceptional. Cut players down at the knees, rather than trying to smash them in the chest and turn it into a wrestle.

I reckon you could get 50 minutes a game of that out of Sinfield for the rest of the year. His longevity is no longer a Leeds Rhinos problem.

I think some posters are missing the point that is we are a far better side with Sinfield in the starting 13 than out of it and a great exageration that he has not been playing well , i am convinced we would have won the last two games if he had played especially at Widnes and it is amazing all this has happened after he decides to finish at the end of the year . I suggest if that had not been the case he would have still been leading us out every week . Next year is a different kettle of fish but for this we should be playing our best team and that means Sinfield at 6 or 13 and captain and goal kicker

Would it not seem a bit weird to you for Gary Hethrington to make a public statement on the coach's team selection policy?

It would to me.

Unfortunatley i do not see it as a coaches selection policy , there seems to be more to it than that

Based on what, exactly?

I don't entirely agree with it, but I can't see much reason to think that the coach is being told what to do with his team. I think in all probability, it's the succession that he has in mind. Nothing more sinister than that.