I got a text at 16-0 down saying Finch is having a shocker and thought at the time 'he can't do anything without the ball'. We've definitely lost something with Leuluai being out but there's very few halfbacks in the world who we could have stuck in and it not be a step down.



Our attitude in the first 15 minutes cost us that match yesterday not the choice of halfbacks or referee. A couple of players looking short of full fitness didn't help either.

We made 5 errors in the first half that were converted in to 5 tries by Leeds (the 5th courtesy of a poor penalty decision). We let the game get away from ourselves and had too much to do to claw it back.



Locker's error for their fourth try was an important one IMO. We had just scored 2 quick tries and had got back within 4 points. Sean takes in a drive and loses the ball and Hall goes in at the corner the next set, completely stopping any momentum we were building.

Sorry, i thought we lost by 2 tries, oh wait a minute we did, well 11 points to be exact, now i wonder which player gifted the opposition 2 tries, who was this player? i just can't remember

You really have not got a clue have you, that's not how it works, what about the other points Leeds scored, who's was at 'fault' for those, other players missed tackles, gave away penalties, dropped passes, did Gelling 'gift' a try by missing that cross field kick or was the player responsible for closing down the kicker at fault for not doing his job, when Bailey reached over to ground the ball who didn't clamp the ball carrying arm, as I said before, its a team game, we win as a team, we lose as a team, no individual was responsible for the defeat.

We conceded 39 points, the most this season. Due no doubt to the worst performance of the season. The number of players who played well for the whole game can be counted on a few fingers. Most played well at some time and poorly at others.

As for the OP's comment about half backs. The Finch at 7 and Lockers at 6 is something we may well not see again as Matty Smith is in the squad for the rest of the season. Should he cop a knock then will Wane go back to yesterday's 6 & 7 or bring back Mellor, maybe alternatively play Williams there as suggested some weeks ago?

Whilst Tommy is out I think we need a regualar 7 with Finch at 6 and Lockers to remain at 13 no mattter what.

Agree that the loss wasn't down to half backs or any individual but a very poor team performance.

My point exactly.

Correct.

Sinfield did ok at 6 didn't he.



We need to stop giving this excuse.

Lockers is a better player than the one who never smiles.

Lockers was playing like a 13 yesterday, I'd like to see how many hit ups he made.

You win as a team and you lose as a team. Yesterday there were far too many errors from a lot of different players.

Wane will be furious about some of the team defence, particularly the soft Bailey try.



Leeds deserved their win.

Only happens every few years ....but I agree with Rogues, win and lose is a team effort .....trouble is you lot thought it was a shoe-in to the CCF and you got caught out by the tykes

I understand some people's criticisms of having O'Loughlin at 6.



For the past 5 years we've had a scrum half who has consistently been a major influence in our side and this year, with his injury, we are lacking cover in the halves and the hooking position. This has been a huge point made throughout the season by a lot of fans.



By losing Leuluai, moving the on-form 6 in the league 10 yards further inside to play at 7 (if you watch our structured attacks) and then to cover him - we move the on-form 13 in the league to 6, we are always going to have problems.



Now we have signed Smith, who can slot in at 7 or 9 (ala Leuluai) we should be OK for the rest of the season but obviously, we were going to struggle in the cup with the constant pressure we put ourselves under due to some basic and woeful errors.



You can't lost the ball 5 times in your own half in the first 20 minutes of the game against anyone in Super League. Also mentioning our defence, which was a shamble. I think in the entire game, if Leeds started a set within 30 years of our line, we stopped them from scoring only twice.



Poor defence, too many errors in attack and a lack of creativity from the spine of the team. It just wasn't our day. If (and it's only an if) Smith hadn't been cup-tied or TL hadn't broken his leg, I'd be pretty sure we'd be on the way to Wembley come August.



I'm now looking forward to the rest of the season, with the likes of Richards, Leuluai, Fielden & Prescott all to fully return (hopefully).