I'm sorry, but even now in McGuire's twilight years he's got more ability than Matty Smith will ever have. And Sutcliffe doesn't seem to be doing a bad job of playing at 6.

I've never been that taken with McGuire; flattered, I think, by those around him, especially the much-maligned Sinfield. And in fact, I think the Aussies have more respect for Rob Burrow than McGuire.

The Aussies wouldn't give a stuff about any of our halfbacks if we're being honest.

I thought Smith did OK last year but his lack of a running game is a major weakness, particularly alongside Widdopp, who's also more of a playmaker than runner. Unless they're split left and right (which may be the case) I'd probably go for more of a runner than playmaker alongside Widdopp.

As an aside, why would anyone want to move Sutcliffe to loose forward? He's quite big for a 6, but he's pretty quick and has the skills of a stand off. If anything his size is a plus. The days of the ball handling 13 are hopefully disappearing - the peculiarly British obsession for adding an extra playmaker at 13 has played its part in retarding the development of halfbacks. I'd prefer Sutcliffe to stay at 6 and become a proper stand off, not some hybrid forward.

So to answer the original question, I don't know. I'd say Sutcliffe is a long way from ready yet and McGuire clearly isn't a long-term solution.

That list just shows how far behin the NRL we are

Funny, that. I've always thought the dull, defensive, Australian obsession with effectively playing another prop at 13 (with one or two exceptions like Glen Stewart) was a shame, too.

I feel compelled to defend Mcguire here and also say you can't have seen very much of him so far this year.I thought Danny was pretty much a spent force by the end of last year but he seems to have improved as a creative force so far and some of the passes for tries he has made have been sublime.The great support play of days gone by is still there despite him not quite having the legs to finish moves now but his general all round game seems of a much higher quality, far from relying on Sinfield who has been a bit part player so far with injury and the news of him moving on.Danny has stepped up big time, and rightly has earned consideration for Rep. Selection on merit. although from a Leeds perspective i do hope he gets overlooked so he can concentrate on a couple more big years with us.

Tbh, I though McGuire was good in the 2nd half of last season particularly during our Cup run including the final. I actually feel he's underated by a lot of Leeds fans. His passing game and movement with and without the ball has always been greater than his half back partner's at Leeds.

I have always found a persons view of Danny McGuire a good barometer for their knowledge of RL

I agree but it seems this season he has taken on the role of chief playmaker.In recent years that hasn't been the case but he has shone so far with the added responsibility.long may it continue

I don't deny McGuire has been very decent for Leeds this season, but at international level...

He's done alright at test level, apart from the game at the DW in 09 IMO. His early performances for GB were outstanding.

I love quotes like this. Just who HAS been good at international level? Sinfield is another who gets 'doesn't do it International level' chucked at him all day, yet he is one of the very few to have come out of England duty with any credit in recent years!

McGuire was truly dreadful at 6 with Horne (?) at halfback in Brisbane some years ago. Genuinely looked like he was scared to get the ball. But as you say, he isn't/wasn't alone in that regard.

BTW, Aussie RL isn't boring because of lack of ball handling loose forwards. If the best Aussies play off the cuff they'll play the most exciting RL you'll see, often with a third prop at 13.

Both completely outplayed by their Warrington Wolves counterparts this evening.

Myler ran rings round both of them tonight.