Johnson was great today. I went today like i do all the games. Ok when we moan there is no money like normal and you see 5 players in same position .................

motu played second row today

But you need to put in to perspective that this was the first pre season game and still work in progress, not sure there is a need for a big negative post like that

well said pal. work in progress. saw a lot of positives out there today from a young team with not much field time together against a very good near first team from leeds. i would have thought that 11 of those that played for the rhinos probably will be first team.

From what i have heard, it sounds like that considdering we had probably half of our first team out compared to a virtually full strength Leeds team we did well and it is good to hear that some of the new signings went well.

Can anyone tell me how Penny looked and if we tried to utilise his pace?

I do agree with you saying that it is a work in progress and that Leeds had a pretty strong team out. However, the thing is that the team we had out there today minus Obst and Morrison was pretty much the team we will start with in February. Granted we have rumoured signings coming in and the likes of Smith and Mariano wont improve our team that much. With Gledhill out for a while I think we will definately struggle.

He caught a couple of decent balls, made a mess of a ptb, defence looked a little suspect for 1 try and no we never looked liked using his pace.

Just got back from Leeds and i think the one person who also deserves a big nention is Kieron Hyde, for me he turned the game with his deft little kicks on the last tackle and a marvellous interseption and near full length run to score the last try. He's definatley given Kear a (good)headache.

We looked far too light weight compared to Leeds, we do need some grunt up front otherwise we will get hammered. Having said that some of the performances today were pretty good.

Had it not been for giving away 22 points from our own mistakes there wasn't much in the score. Leeds were physically much bigger and moved the ball slicker than we did but other than the try straight from the kick off I wasn't over impressed with them given the strength of the team they put out,

bloodbath's findings:

Good first half from Leeds. Played some lovely stuff through the hands on a much narrowed and in context well conditioned Headingley pitch.

The forwards took the ball up well and Leeds were quick to get the ball out wide to both sides, with lots of runners, decoy runners and options.

players that stood out:

Burgess - excellent first stint, very strong carrying the ball forward. Showed the aggression levels he needs to, a real handful.

Delaney - looks at least half a stone lighter and more effective for it. Looked quicker and did provide for the ever solid Smith.

Watkins - class, real quality footwork, pace and final ball. Ooozes that potential. I hope he gets a run in the side. If Leeds want to play a brand of rugby, he has the tools for that job. Bulked up slightly up top.

Sinfield - very focused and again another player who looked a lot sharper with his plays. Distributed very well.

Webb - his returns and time on the ball were very defined. A strong edge to his play.

Cross - strong first stint. Got hold of the ball as soon as he was on the pitch. Rang strongly and put a couple of big hits in.

Ali - played for 70 minutes. So those questioning his fitness may want to take that into account. He seemed to play with a point to prove. Wakie couldn't handle him, numerous offloads and big metres whether out wide on coming down the middle.

Kirke - carved up the middle, which was nice to see. harshly sin-binned for the late challenge. I thought he was more than committed on his man.

McShane - can't fault his effort, but I still feel that he plays to impress more than he plays the percentages. His heart is in the right place.

Overall you can't read too much into it, but if the options with the runners etc continue and the positive approach to playing continues (getting quick PTB's and playing to get the ball out wide), alongside big impact from Cross and Biff to assist JP and Bailes the season could be quite profitable for the dark horses.


(As for Wakie, you were blown away in the first half and offered very little in that half. But you kept on battling and got the scoreboard looking respectable. Bigger games and battles are yet to come. Thanks for coming, hope you all enjoyed.)

Thought we lacked any grunt up front or a bit of class required class for breaking up a well organised defence. Out wide we looked fragile in defence. Thought Penny did far too much running backwards when he was being run at. Thought Davey went well and our licking game was good it looked our only chance of scoring. We did look fit.