Johnny_L_O
Juniors
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- 833
So...
Less 18 hours to go and Brent Webb has been ruled out with a recurrence of his back injury from mid season. Leeds will probably shift Lee Smith to Full Back and Ryan Hall will come in on the wing. The only problem with this is that Hall has not played since the Semi Final defeat to Saints a couple of months back due to a broken foot in the same game.
I myself do not think that this will make that much difference because the weather is forecast to be, well... awful! 13c and Heavy Rain at game time and from the looks of the local TV weather bullitins the rain will be over Manchester from just after lunch. This will mean that the game should be played in the forwards.
Now Leeds were spanked 2 weeks ago and the forwards never got going but last week they came back with a bang when Peacock made 37 tackles and 229 meters and Jamie Jones Buchanan made 175 meters and 22 tackles... in fact only 2 of Leeds starting pack made less than 100 meters.
The rest week could be crucial though in 2 ways. Firstly Saints could be rejuvenated and come into the game fresh after only having 2 games in 5 weeks. On the other hand though is that really an ideal prep for a major final? I dont think so and i think it is something the RFL have to look at in the future. Leeds have had a tough game last week where in reality they were made to work hard for the win and I think Saints could turn up a bit cold.
All in all I think it will come down to 4 points either way (hopefully Leeds) but Im not holding my breath.
Less 18 hours to go and Brent Webb has been ruled out with a recurrence of his back injury from mid season. Leeds will probably shift Lee Smith to Full Back and Ryan Hall will come in on the wing. The only problem with this is that Hall has not played since the Semi Final defeat to Saints a couple of months back due to a broken foot in the same game.
I myself do not think that this will make that much difference because the weather is forecast to be, well... awful! 13c and Heavy Rain at game time and from the looks of the local TV weather bullitins the rain will be over Manchester from just after lunch. This will mean that the game should be played in the forwards.
Now Leeds were spanked 2 weeks ago and the forwards never got going but last week they came back with a bang when Peacock made 37 tackles and 229 meters and Jamie Jones Buchanan made 175 meters and 22 tackles... in fact only 2 of Leeds starting pack made less than 100 meters.
The rest week could be crucial though in 2 ways. Firstly Saints could be rejuvenated and come into the game fresh after only having 2 games in 5 weeks. On the other hand though is that really an ideal prep for a major final? I dont think so and i think it is something the RFL have to look at in the future. Leeds have had a tough game last week where in reality they were made to work hard for the win and I think Saints could turn up a bit cold.
All in all I think it will come down to 4 points either way (hopefully Leeds) but Im not holding my breath.
