: Mon May 11, 2009 4:02 pm  

G1 wrote:

His work rate is phenomenal.

See my post above.

He's the 5th leading metre maker in the league, not far behind Peacock for 2nd on our team.

He's carried the ball more than anyone on our team bar Peacock, showing a phenomenal work rate.

he's made the 2nd most clean breaks in the league.

He's made the 2nd most runs from dummy half on our team.

Its' not just his try scoring, the kid is developing into one of the best all round wingers in the league in front of the eyes of a very appreciating and or ill informed fan base. If he were called Vainikolo and played on another team our fans would be creaming themselves that we signed him. As he came through the ranks he's barely noticed.

Agree entirely G but if/when he makes a mistake(s) he will be villified by many again!!!
As he's learning his improvement is there for all to see and long may it continue!!

: Mon May 11, 2009 4:09 pm  

I dont know who G1 is but I agree with all he has posted here. The others who want to discard everyone who is not an instant superman have got no idea.

: Mon May 11, 2009 4:41 pm  

I was building a three-quarter line for next season with Smith and Shenton on the right and Senior/Watkins with Donald on the left.

Others are free to build a three-quarter line without losing anyone from the present set up but the reality maybe that someone will have to go in the other direction to ease a player in. I gave a view of how I would be prepared to do that using Hall for the greater good of the squad while acknowledging his contribution so far this season.

G1 wrote:

I thought we had a lack of depth? Why are people advocating getting rid of our form threequarter and, arguably, the form wing man in the entire competition?

People weren't it was just me for the reason I have given above. Or are Castleford desperate for a few quid which will be the likely Leeds cash offer?

: Mon May 11, 2009 7:34 pm  

I thought Smith's preferred position was Centre? Surely Smith/Shenton would be better in Centres than Gibson or Watkins?

: Mon May 11, 2009 7:54 pm  

Ewwenorfolk wrote:

I thought Smith's preferred position was Centre?

Smith's preferred position (you'd have to ask him) but from a viewing perspective he's always looked most comfortable at full back.

Ewwenorfolk wrote:

Surely Smith/Shenton would be better in Centres than Gibson or Watkins?

Leeds' lack of finding a replacement for Toopi in the off season caused McClennan to trial Smith at right centre for 2009, not a position he'd ever started in for Leeds prior to being given the number 3 shirt.

: Mon May 11, 2009 9:58 pm  

G1 wrote:

Hall has really developed. As a winger I think he's probably eclipsing what Smith was doing on the right wing last season, albeit he's doing it on the left.

I thought we had a lack of depth? Why are people advocating getting rid of our form threequarter and, arguably, the form wing man in the entire competition?

Agree he's only 21, work rate is great,he's very good under the high ball but more importantly for a winger he knows his way to the try line.

: Mon May 11, 2009 10:07 pm  

The more I see Hall play the more I’m convinced he’d make a great centre – still don’t think his natural position is on the wing, his work rate is akin to a centre and when he starts getting bored he starts coming in and looking for work.

: Mon May 11, 2009 10:13 pm  

LS16_Rhino wrote:

The more I see Hall play the more I’m convinced he’d make a great centre – still don’t think his natural position is on the wing, his work rate is akin to a centre and when he starts getting bored he starts coming in and looking for work.

Sounds like an imigration blueprint for the Poles.

: Mon May 11, 2009 10:59 pm  

Glad everyone can see the value of having wingers with work rate. Maybe we should look to snap one up or give watkins the job for the right wing next season.

: Tue May 12, 2009 6:52 am  

Gaslight wrote:

:lol: Why would Cas sell one of the best centres in the league to the big local rival for average nobodies (like Gibson) or cash (which the club don't need)?

Ryan Hall was probably at the game just to watch a Rugby match...or it wasn't actually him

It was 100% him!

On the Shenton note, it's good to see how many Rhinos highly rate him. Potentially, as i've argued before, Shenny could be one of the best centre's in the world. Unfortunately, he's not playing very well this year and his usually immaculate defence has become a bit suspect - sure he'll get over it though (he has before).

Back to Hall : looks a tremendous prospect - i'd play him internationally now.