The only problem with this is that if we're playing a few players who are carrying injuries, we could end up with only 15 players taking any major part, leaving no options for rotation.

Having said that, with Clarkey and Grix out we don't have many options

Here's hoping it all works out

so long as he doesn't get sin binned for a late tackle!

Johnson got pulled all over the shop away at Hudds a few weeks ago. His decision making was awful on that day. If he plays I hope he can produce the form he is capable of. Can't wait.

I'd prefer Bridge at centre and VAnderson in the halves putting Johnson, Higham ( ), Cooper and Rau on the bench.

I'm really impressed with McCarthy, but Rau has a lot of big match experience and that'll be important.

Really disappointed for Clarkey.
Higham will be a weak link simply because he's not played for weeks and match fitness will be an issue.
I imagine him being targetted by Hudds.

For me Monas is the key man because of his pivotal role at 9 and then going to the halves. (Obviously Briers is a key player but he was aways going to be).

Rauhihi and Cooper are a must from the bench.
We can't go in to this game with only 3 props.

McCarthy and Mitchell to miss out.

Second that regarding the two to be missed out.

Would agree with the last 2 postings, we must have four Props in the 17.

I agree with four props, and I would be very surprised if Rau doesn't get a spot on the bench. I know there are other people who could fill in or 'do a job' for us, but this is a cup final, and there is no substitute for experience. We have enough players not in their favoured position, for me to worry a bit about our positional play in defence. Playing a non specialist makes us a bit too venerable around the ruck area. I know he's slow back into the line, perhaps he should just stay at marker!

As far as Higham goes, would normally agree that it is a massive risk, but does give us cover in the backs. By moving monas, and therefore Bringe/Anderson. Not many other options, I think Smith may have had his hand forced a bit with this one. Twenty decent minuets from Higham would do for me.

Glad I'm not having to pick the Team, and if Smith can organise the interchanges effectively, he will have to be hailed by all as a genius.

i'm a bit bemused at the fact that people say we need a fourth prop on the bench, due to experience, big games etc, and ignoring the fact that rah's been playing absolute dog this past few weeks, it's all very good having experience in the big games, maybe when he starts playing well again in the bog standard games, he'll warrant choosing for a big game, maybe the grand final, certainly not this week.

I see where you are coming from. Maybe he will give us a long awaited, repeat, performance like Leeds at home last season which came amidst some average performances. Tony knows best.

Not been the best last few weeks I agree, could you please provide an alternative. What if one of the other three gets a nock? Dog is better than nothing (can't believe I've just said that! In any other context I'd take nothing every time)

All I'm saying is, sometimes it's not just about picking the best players, ask Sven.

My concerns are that we will have a couple of players playing out of position and a few players will be carrying knocks or as in Micky Higham`s case he will have not played for a while, being fit is one thing, being match fit is another especially when its a final on a big pitch with no hiding places.

If you remember a while back Leeds gambled on Keith Senior which i think was against Hull and it backfired in a big way as he was a limping passenger for most of the game, i just hope Matt King and Chris Hicks are fully fit and that Micky Higham is putting the team first by declaring himself fit and not because he wants to atone for missing a previous challenge cup final through injury.

I would have prefered Tony Smith to rest a lot more players in the build up to this final as Huddersfield will be a lot more fresher after giving their players a break where as we could get heavy legged as the game goes on due to the majority of our first team having played on since the semi final.

Anyway i would love nothing more than us to be "running round wembley with the cup" like everyone else who supports wire, its just my head is ruling my heart at the min as i fear the worse, its not negative thinking before anyone goes down that route, its just the way our build up has been.

the only other option i can give you is harrison filling in, which he can do, and he can do it without throwing suicidal offloads without looking.

Aside from him being a target like fat feka in defence(which he's been very poor in the past two weeks) he's the only player in the squad that i'm worried about that could actually [ilose[/i the game for us.

Here here.