How organized have Hull looked recently?

We're scoring more points this year than we were with Long at the end of last and look a better attacking side.

There is a myth about Eastmond that he can't organize, just because he's fast with ball in hand.

you don't need to go back 2 years, it's less than a year since we were winning 34-0 at half time at your place . . . .

This might come back to bite me, but all things considered it was a good draw for us. It was all about avoiding Hudds/Wire/Wigan at this stage. A home draw would have been nice, granted.

That's the idea. He will gradually get better at doing that as he grows in confidence and experience. He has done pretty well while Pryce has been filling in at fullback. Once Pryce is back in the halves with him, he will have more opportunity to learn while taking on a share of the organising responsibility. These things take time. Meanwhile, he continues to thrill the Saints faithful with his pace, agility, ball handling skills, kicking, ability to read a game and spot an opportunity.

You're a braver person than I. I wouldn't say this was a good draw for us. I'd say this was a tricky draw for us. I would have much preferred Blackpool, but jammy Leeds got that one. Fix.

Saints by 40.

Those days are gone.

We'll see.

Eastmond and Pryce will not gel together at half-back, it is like having 2 Danny McGuires in tandem. Pryce as been an immense failure at the highest level because he neither breaks the line nor calls plays. At St Helens he has support players on both sides and a weaker line which the great props have punctured plus all the hookers running from quick play the balls. A slow play the ball and he has nothing to offer at the highest level. Eastmond is more dynamic but again is no organizer. I would select him but not alongside Pryce in the halves. In my view Saints have had the best pack for the majority of Super League, the best front row at all times, Cunningham with his arms around a Graham and a Puletua with a Fozzard waiting is awesome. Also 3 or 4 world class backs. Gardner has been carried by Gidley and Lyon. Wellens lack of pace has been ok behind a solid line still on it's own half. Meli is a bit better but not as good as Leeds backs. I honestly think if Quins can put out 17 of their top 19 players then we can do ok, however if we are murdered on the penalty count and/or there is a quick play the ball versus the clubs juniors we can get caned. I don't think we will ever get 50/50 refereeing as year on year we get the least amount of penalties per game/season but I hope we can avoid too many morale sapping calls. Two forward passes and a knock on on his own line is 18 points which might be a bridge too far.

Quins can win this. The team need to avoid any morale sapping hammerings between now and then and we might see our backs throw the ball about. The best way to avoid standing toe to toe with the Saints pack is to make them run around.....

Well, we can now claim a moral victory over Melbourne Storm, so who's to beat us?

EDIT: Except for Leeds of course.

Quote: Wire_Yed "Cup games are cheaper anyway, stop moaning you tight git Sunday 9th May at 2.00 p.m. www.league.quins.co.uk/news/11560.php All prices doubled for anybody wearing St Helens colours. Not on TV. news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 854276.stm

Quote: Wire_Yed "Cup games are cheaper anyway, stop moaning you tight git Sunday 9th May at 2.00 p.m. www.league.quins.co.uk/news/11560.php All prices doubled for anybody wearing St Helens colours. Not on TV. news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 854276.stm

Saints fans all thought the same thing prior to this season (well, we didn't think Danny McGuire as both Leon and Kyle are better players than he is, but we did wonder about the general principle of similarity). Kyle himself expressed concerns in the media in that he stated he and Leon had a similar style of play. However, they were gelling very nicely before Wello's injury came between them, Leon playing at fullback for the last four matches. In that time, Kyle has had to take on more of the organising and we are starting to show some signs of life in attack as a result. Leon has been in tremendous form this season so far - though that can change of course, Leon being Leon - and so has Kyle. The two when working in tandem are actually looking like a powerful team.


Wello's lack of pace can be a hindrance, but his defensive qualities and ability to read the play far outweigh that weakness. Our defence visibly improves with him in charge.

By the way, Fozzard is now total tosh. I was never in favour of him being re-recruited - it can only have been that he was going cheap (since Saints are cheap these days) - and he is only brought on as back up these days. He has had three matches I think so far this season as he is totally ineffective now, except as an extra body for tackling purposes.

Whether we will beat you I have no idea as we ebb and flow a lot at present. I would still much rather have had to face Blackpool.

I cant stand Pryce. Should have stuck at wing. Full back might be a good compromise for the club and his ego, but he's never been a decent half.

He looked OK at 6 last season at your place - he absolutely destroyed Quins in the first half.

To say he's never been a decent half is daft IMO, he's far better than decent and has been excellent this year.