I think some may have forgotten that Mac went to Leeds as an assistant in the first instance. I'll give him the credit that he deserves for what he has achieved at Leeds but his stock as a coach was pretty low after his spell in London, hence why he took an assistant's post( albeit at a bigger club). At the time the anger of some Leeds fans at his appointment as first team coach, based on his spell in the capital was pretty understandable.

Back on topic of this game, I am expecting the worse, but as long as the team look like they are trying, I won't be peed off with a young, inexperienced side that has been thrown together at the last minute.

The Broncos "performance" that still rankles me, is the 0-60 hammering by Leeds in 2006 (on Sky too, iirc). What a shambles and in our first year as QRL too.

Amazing that Leeds still have 5 players who played that day (we have none).

Anyhoo, COYB!

If you look at Leeds Rhinos since Mac went there, you'll see that only two of players numbered 1-18 have been signed by him. He has been able to promote from within in the main although he has made two or three top signings in getting on board the Briscoe brothers, Joel Moon and the PNG Hooker Aiton.

Reminiscent of his spell for us almost all of his other signings have been forwards such as Hauaraki, Amor, Griffin, Richard Moore and A'Church and I don't think any have regularly displaced the Stalwarts and not many are still there if you look at it. Basically his proven internationals are doing the business and his "spots" have not.

His failing at Quins was that he was incompetent at signing talent and his generosity in long deals for old players whilst failing to retain the younger talent. He seems to be better now at Leeds than he was here but you can't help feel Leeds golden generation of players won't last forever and he's not really replaced more than Senior so far plus one or two of the older imports.

He's had two great play-off runs and he's maintained the success the club had prior to him joining with repeated grand final wins but no success in the cups and a 4th or 5th place in the league has been the case since he went there. If he can get the club to finish in the top three you can start to argue he has been an improvement on what was there before. I still remain doubtful he can spot talent however.

If he was still here I bet Orr, Randall, Temata etc would still be in the squad.

I have had a few punts on tonights game - us to cover the 22 point HT handicap and to lose by 40 or less FT - plus I have had Moore first try scorer for us and the new Tongan Vea to score at any time. Also Matt Cook man of the match and finally us to win by 1-10 points, but beer money only on the last one.

I think we will make a bigger effort tonight than recently because the players won't want to embarrass themselves on Sky TV and I think we will play a basic, conservative game and handle the ball a bit better than last week. I'm reckoning we will get about a try in each half and maybe one bonus one and if we can keep the Rhinos below 50 then it will not be pleasing (under 34 would be very pleasing) but might win a few quid.

Cookie did the business for me as 12/1 last week any time but alas he's now 6/1 which is very tight.

Rammo

McDermott doesn't make the signings or deal with the contracts at Leeds.

That explains a lot!

STAT ALERT:

Danny McGuire has scored 33 Tries in 23 Games against us

How many more will he add this evening?!

My prediction 80 nil

32-0 already

O'Callaghan is a Championship 2 standard winger, which is why he signed for London Skolars and went part time as a plumber.

Why is he playing against the world's best winger?

2 word answer. I've jumbled it up as it was a tad easy....

Dvaid Hguhes

Why? Is he Hughes' long lost love child or something ?

I am glad I am not the only person out there that thinks this as well. So why not swap our Aussie winger to mark Hall? The club from top to bottom (mgmt. and players) are without a clue.
Sorry but i cannot see a win in this team all season, that said we will probably win the cup and get relegated! You have to laugh as it is so sad. Is this really the club of Reetchless, Gill, Materson, Edwards, Chariots et al.

Where did it all go wrong? Hughes, the RFL, Gus the idiot Mackay, Blanchford, Brown, Cartwright, Branson, Maranta, Rupert Murdoch? I don't know the answer but it is so sad for the game.

I suspect us, and Catalan relegated and ESL DEAD! It is a dead European Super League, it will cease to be.

Nope. Hughes wavered from his previously staunch support of the club for the duration of the SL licence that he applied for and told us and the RFL he'd bankroll. By the time he recovered his composure, the likes of JO'C were all that was left for us to pick up......someone that even London Irish weren't keen on