Smith is, in all fairness, much stronger in defence than MCGuire. I wouldn't worry about him physically up against J. Tomkins, who at least is less likely to burn him for pace.



For once, however, I think I'd go with your option if we need to and pair BJB and Hardaker. It would be the high risk option, but I'm not sure what we have to lose.

I agree that Smith should only be considered for the right centre position. This makes a lot of sense after all as he has played on that side for most of his career. The big question I guess is just how effective could Delaney be on the left?



I've seen nothing from Hardaker to suggest that he is a centre. Winger, full back, stand-off - maybe, but not a centre.

Just FYI folks, centres very rarely defend against their opposite number these days. Most teams defend their halfbacks one in from the wing.



So if Leeds go with McGuire and Burrow from the start, they'll be defending against Tomkins and Carmont respectively. Cause for optimism there - no, really...

Id back Burrow against anybody when it comes to tackling. Mags still has a habit of sliding off it, a bit like Jessica Simpson in the Dukes of Hazard doing her washing the car routine.

I would seriously consider finding a way to put Burrow on S. Tomkins watch. He has enough foot speed and tackling technique to keep the shackles on him. The trouble is, because Tomkins joins the attack from full back, it's a bit hard to predict where he'll pop up... I have an impression that he has a particular liking for getting outside a defender on Wigan's right, I haven't studied enough footage to know whether that's a correct impression.



I think it's wrong to say that if you stop Tomkins you stop Wigan. It would help though.

I think Zak is well equipped to deal with anything thrown at him in the centres. He is a good defender and has shown composure at SL level. Plus he has pace to burn. He is gathering experience there in Academy. Admittedly it is risky chucking him in at Wembley, but he has never looked like the deer in headlights in the past.

Is Watkin's very doubtful for Saturday? I won't try to pick centres if both Ablett and Watkin's are out because McDermott will pick the total opposite. I think Leeds need to avoid kicking to Tomkin's and if they do, then he needs to be hit as soon as he catches the ball. Tomkin's chimes into the line often as third receiver, normally through behind balls. Leeds need to utilise an umbrella D in my opinion. To force them down the middle as Carmont is also a large threat.

In the NRL you'll generally see centres outside halfbacks in defence. If not it says a lot about some players' tackling.

While you are correct to point that out Mr Gilder, it's also worth pointing out that the half back in the centre position will take their position based on the centre, if that positioning and spacing is wrong and poor decisions made by the centre then it leads to a whole host of problems.



If Tomkins loops round the back of the line like he is liable to do and joins in around third man in, then whoever plays centre needs to be really on the ball and be watching him joining in to the line! If they don't, then Tomkins, the centre and winger will all have a field day!

I know the final is not the time or place but do Leeds not have any good up and coming Centres in the youth system???



Surely we could have given game time to these during this SL campain, against Salford, etc etc



Or are we and Old first team with no qualilty in the youth system for back up ??

And for the record, for me Smith has to play, he's proven time and time again that he can play in the big games and on the big stage!!

Don't get me started.





Looking at Delaney's most recent stats I don't know how we can manage in the forwards without him



Hardaker AND Wilson to centre then