Hoy
Swift
Sutcliffe
Scott
Mcintosh
McNamara
Clifford
Satae
Dwyer
Taylor
Griffin
Savelio
Fash

Evans
Sao
Brown
Lovodua/Houghton

Cator (18th Man)

Agree with comments above, Leeds looked desperately weak down the middle last time out, Vaughan made over 200m for Wire with Harrison and Bullock also over 100m. Its an area which we are strong in and have to target, it may also explain why our bench was rather light on Sunday. Sao in for Cator and Savelio for Lane. Personally would rather have Lovodua on bench but I imagine it will be Houghton.

Yep would agree with that team and a fit Savelio replaces Lane and hopefully Sao is back. Dwyer has to start at 9 and then its one of either Lovodua or Houghton on the bench but not both, Brown has to also be included in the 17.

Leeds look vulnerable down the middle and against Warrington really did look like they missed Prior especially, along with the likes of Dwyer, Sutcliffe & Hardaker. Think with the likes of Satae, Taylor, Sao, Evans & Brown pounding down then middle should gives us some dominance in the game and give the likes of Dwyer, Clifford, & Hoy opportunities to create. I'd hope that the defensive deficiencies we saw against Cas have been worked on and resolved somewhat. Its certainly not going to be easy as it never is at Headingley as they still have players than can hurt us but do think we have a good chance.

Might be best to have a SR option on the bench if Savelio is fit.

Coming back from his 3rd ACL, might be a tough ask playing the full 80

A fair point but if Sao is back and with say Brown and Evans on the bench, then Sao is more than capable to step in & spell Savelio if needed. Not to forget Sao was a standout last time we played at Headingley when he was put in the SR.

rlDoesn't sound like Sao will be playing Friday but more promising on Savelio & Brown making it.rl Sounds like Brown wasn't risked against Cas so maybe Smith had an eye on the Leeds game with such a short turnaround.

It's funny how people jump to conclusions. It was even suggested by someone that maybe Smith has already decided he doesn't rate Brown and will ship him out at the end of the year! It turns out he just had a knock. I personally think Brown will thrive under Smith.

I hope he does but if that was the case why name him as 18th man? You never know when 18th man could be needed

Our other options in the forwards are very inexperienced. So even though he wasn't 100%, and even though we weren't intending him to play, maybe he was deemed the best option in the event that someone went down.

Quote: bonaire "I hope he does but if that was the case why name him as 18th man? You never know when 18th man could be needed'" The 18th man doesn't come into effect until 3 players fail a HIA assessment, the chances of that are very slim so Tony obviously thought it was worth the risk. https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/super-le ... ays-67439/

Quote: bonaire "I hope he does but if that was the case why name him as 18th man? You never know when 18th man could be needed'" The 18th man doesn't come into effect until 3 players fail a HIA assessment, the chances of that are very slim so Tony obviously thought it was worth the risk. https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/super-le ... ays-67439/

Must admit I thought it was a bad omission to leave Brown out the 17 if he was fit and there’s been lots of talk about progress of all injured players other than Brown. He’d also taken part in preseason game it just seemed a strange omission as Bonaire mentions given he’d been named 18th man rather than just not naming him due not risking him ala Sao, Savelio & Carlos etc.
Hopefully he’s fully fit and in the 17 as think it’s fair to say he’s in the top 4 forwards at the club and still developing.

Must have been one hell of a Charlie Horse that Sao suffered if he’s still unlikely to feature, but better safe than sorry and no need to risk him at this stage. Hopefully we’ll see him back in the 17 soon enough.

If Sao doesn’t make it & Savelio does then I’d be tempted to leave same starting 13 but go with a bench of Savelio, Brown, Evans and one of Lovodua or Houghton.

PLEASE just keep Leeds to 12 points !!
that’s all we need to win

So the 21 man squad is out with one change Ligi Sao out and Davy Litten in.

1. Tex Hoy, 2. Adam Swift, 4. Liam Sutcliffe, 5. Darnell McIntosh, 7. Jake Clifford, 9. Danny Houghton, 10. Chris Satae, 11. Andre Savelio, 12. Jordan Lane, 13. Brad Fash, 14. Joe Lovodua, 15. Joe Cator, 16. Kane Evans, 17. Cam Scott, 19. Ben McNamara, 20. Jack Brown, 23. Josh Griffin, 25. Davy Litten, 26. Harvey Barron, 30. Scott Taylor, 33. Brad Dwyer.

So for me as per my earlier post I'd keep the same starting 13 and have a bench of Savelio, Brown, Evans and one of Lovodua/Houghton.

Nene Macdonald named in Leeds squad

Rhinos’ 21-man squad: Richie Myler, David Fusitu’a, Nene Macdonald, Ash Handley, Blake Austin, Aiden Sezer, Kruise Leeming, Zane Tetevano, Rhyse Martin, Cameron Smith, Jarrod O’Connor, Sam Lisone, Derrell Olpherts, Justin Sangare, Tom Holroyd, James McDonnell, Morgan Gannon, Sam Walters, Luis Roberts, James Donaldson, Leon Ruan.

Yeah same as you Chris. Think he will pick Houghton over Lovodua on the bench though

If anybody needs to drop to the bench it's lane. He's still flapping at some tackles and doesn't really gain ground after the tackle. Also the way mamo went round Macintosh was worrying. But all in all I believe we will get better.