Arrivederci Yorkshire, Ciao Italia
Strong constitution?
By Wildwillie
December 14 2010
The Leeds Carnegie squad heads off to Italy next weekend with a nice home win under its belt. It is just seven months since the team last won at “Fortress Headingley” but a win is a win and there is even a possibility of back to back victories unless the plucky Italians can raise their game in Parma on Sunday.
Leeds’ form this season so far has been the cause of much consternation, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. (And that is just from the coaching staff). You certainly need a strong constitution to be a Tykes fan. Very little has gone right since the disastrous pre-season preparations. The consequences are well known – bottom of the AP, winless & often putting in heartless performances. There has been lots of panic talk – rumours of rifts within the squad, imminent sackings et al. Do things look any better now? Err no not really. Unless, that is, Sunday’s win against the Italians is repeated over there and the team, as a result, start to play with some confidence and commitment.
Looking at the fixture list the two games against Crociati could be seen as a welcome break from the Aviva Premiership. What they are really, in my opinion, is the last chance for the management team to get the selection and the players’ mindset right for our cup final at Kingston Park on Boxing Day. If this sounds dramatic then you are getting my drift. As far as I can see we have a must-win game that day and the preparations for it are far more important than anything else at the moment.
So what about team selection? Well it ought to be obvious to everyone by now, remembering last season, that we need a settled side - a first XV. If AK/NB make anymore unforced changes it will be a mistake. Surely by now they know what their best starting line-up is! Hopefully they put it out last week, will put it out this week & then wrap it up in cotton wool until Boxing Day.
There is a tradition when Leeds fans are abroad that the rugby takes second place to the culture. If the game goes ahead – all well and good. If not then back to more cultural pastimes. This trip I will have at least one jaundiced eye on the proceedings to see exactly what we can expect at Newcastle the following week. I expect a win but I would like to see a performance that can be taken on into the coming Aviva Premiership matches and translated into league wins.
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.A win at Newcastle is vital.
Quote:Yo- tyke
Rest the first 15 this weekend and save them for Newcastle match. What is the point in risking injuries at this vital stage in the season. Those that need a run out to test for fitness should come off the bench in the latter stages.
A win at Newcastle is vital.
Which is what everybody said before the trip to London Irish last season, rest the players before Worcester. Well, we didn't, and we won, so I say go for it, play the 23 who will play at Newcastle. If one of them stayed at home, and was injured in an accident, we'd all say then, he should have gone to Italy.
Quote:Yo- tyke
Rest the first 15 this weekend and save them for Newcastle match.
Totally agree!
The confidence will come from players feeling fit, strong and "rested" mentally and physically so that they can switch on for Newcastle.
A win would give the lads a little more belief in themselves but at the expense of, perhaps, key players picking up knocks or injuries a week before what I see as a pivotal game in the season - I think not.
My advice to the coaching staff would be to play largely an A team with a few experienced heads that have been on the fringes lately, such as Mike MacDonald and Leigh Hinton
Big Mac is always worth his weight in gold.
(Never really understood why we haven't seen more of them this season!)
Up the Carnegie TYKES !
Whatever happens, I think our team will give you a much better game than you had in Yorkshire and matches like this (and v Stade Français) will stand us in good stead for our national campaign.
15. LEIGH HINTON
14. LEE BLACKETT
13, HENRY FA'AFILI
12. SCOTT BARROW
11. MICHAEL STEPHENSON
10. CEIRON THOMAS
9. WARREN FURY
1. MIKE MACDONALD
2. STEVE THOMPSON
3. PHIL SWAINSTON
4. TOM DENTON
5. MARCO WENTZEL (C)
6. RHYS OAKLEY
7. HENDRE FOURIE
8. DANIEL BROWNE
16. PHIL NILSEN
17. GARETH HARDY
18. GARETH DENMAN
19. DANNY PAUL
20. ALFIE TO'OALA
21. SCOTT MATHIE
22. LUTHER BURRELL
23. SEMI TADULALA