Re: One Down Two To Go : Sun Aug 30, 2015 6:31 pm  

craigizzard wrote:

Also re-watched today and confirmation that we were very, very good. Also that HKR were not *all* that bad, just that our defence was superb. They carried plenty of threat, but we snuffed out any break, diffused any kick, and later on forced errors with defence. They'd have scored plenty of points against most other teams, and that in turn would have made for a game with different momentum.

Dixon's been getting a lot of grief and he did have a nightmare in the second half, but was actually pretty good in the first and we still were 16-0 up. Also he and Kelly were their only attacking threats - plenty of other teams wouldn't have covered his half-breaks which led to his errors. If KR fans are looking for poor performers they should look more to Welham, Mantellato and Blair, as well as a comprehensively beaten pack.

Obviously Briscoe is going to get MoM with 5 tries but Peacock and Watkins were the other stand-outs, both in attack and defence. Everybody played their part though.

The BBC coverage was superb throughout - the pre-game, the commentary (even Davies was ok for a change) and the interviews. It's going to make going back to watching the joke Sky coverage next to impossible.

I Don't think we were as bad as the score suggests, but it has happened. You were too fast, strong an skilful for us and totally deserve the plaudits at the minute. Kieron Dixon is taking some flack but like you say he still took the ball forward and looked like he gived a poop, I hope he learns from this and holds his head up. Well Done Leeds Rhinos. Quality Outfit.

Re: One Down Two To Go : Sun Aug 30, 2015 7:42 pm  

BridHKR wrote:

I Don't think we were as bad as the score suggests, but it has happened. You were too fast, strong an skilful for us and totally deserve the plaudits at the minute. Kieron Dixon is taking some flack but like you say he still took the ball forward and looked like he gived a poop, I hope he learns from this and holds his head up. Well Done Leeds Rhinos. Quality Outfit.

In the first half it was the 2 tries back to back that was the killer (going for a short-ish kick off after McGuire's try was a dumb idea really). Thought though that KR did very well for the final 20 mins of that half.

Blair puts that kick in early in the 2nd half near our line.....if a KR grabs it and scores then he 2nd half plays out differently.....but Briscoe goes the length of the field and I think the KR players knew then it was game over. Which is obviously a bad thing against this Leeds team in a final quarter of the game as we can do what we did.

In the end, HKR should be proud of their run to the final. Just got to the final in the wrong year and faced a team having a very special year trying to send off its two beat legends in style. Had you faced the 2014 version of us in the 2014 final, you may not have won but the scoreline wouldn't have looked like it did yesterday.

Re: One Down Two To Go : Mon Aug 31, 2015 12:28 am  

Having watched the Golden Decade DVD, I'd guess that those of us who suggested winning the CC last year was so big to the key players that it played a big part in the failure in the league and play offs thereafter were closer to the truth than the 'we're not good enough' brigade. Its for that reason I at least expect us to put in a strong run to the end of the season.

I wouldn't be surprised if there's a bit of a hangover for Sts, but I expect a much better showing in the play offs this year.

Re: One Down Two To Go : Mon Aug 31, 2015 3:58 pm  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

Having watched the Golden Decade DVD, I'd guess that those of us who suggested winning the CC last year was so big to the key players that it played a big part in the failure in the league and play offs thereafter were closer to the truth than the 'we're not good enough' brigade.

Spot on.

Tried calling it last year but kept getting shot down. The post match reactions on the Wembley pitch from last year to this is very significant contrast. A sense of 'finally we've completely the missing piece' in 2014.....this year an immediate post match huddle to say enjoy this but we've still got two more prizes we want.

The mindset is very different.

Re: One Down Two To Go : Mon Aug 31, 2015 4:38 pm  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

Having watched the Golden Decade DVD, I'd guess that those of us who suggested winning the CC last year was so big to the key players that it played a big part in the failure in the league and play offs thereafter were closer to the truth than the 'we're not good enough' brigade. Its for that reason I at least expect us to put in a strong run to the end of the season.

I wouldn't be surprised if there's a bit of a hangover for Sts, but I expect a much better showing in the play offs this year.

I think theres a cold determination to win the treble this year. Last year was all about filling that CC hole in the golen generations CV to the absolute exclusion of everything else. A clean sweep is the stated aim this year.

Re: One Down Two To Go : Tue Sep 01, 2015 9:07 am  

Reaching the Challenge Cup final has always been a focus to the Leeds club - it's the single biggest opportunity to make money during the season.

I was pleased for the players finally able to add the missing piece from their domestic collection but that need not and should not have resulted in the tame end to the season, IMO. I doubt any player is trying any harder for Sinfield, Peacock and Leuluai this year than they did previously but if they are were we getting 100% previously?

Re: One Down Two To Go : Tue Sep 01, 2015 9:16 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

Having watched the Golden Decade DVD, I'd guess that those of us who suggested winning the CC last year was so big to the key players that it played a big part in the failure in the league and play offs thereafter were closer to the truth than the 'we're not good enough' brigade. Its for that reason I at least expect us to put in a strong run to the end of the season.

I wouldn't be surprised if there's a bit of a hangover for Sts, but I expect a much better showing in the play offs this year.

Well it is a completely different concept this season compared to last for a start. And considering we already have one hand on one of the other trophies it would be something of a one hell of a choke to not get that one over the line.

Re: One Down Two To Go : Tue Sep 01, 2015 10:18 am  

Well having had a really good laugh at our neighbours, it would be unfair of me not to congratulate you on the superb performance on Saturday. Worthy winners of the cup and if there is any justice you'll also take home the LLS and the Champions trophy. It goes against the grain for a Black and White to applaud the Rhinos but this year particularly I don't have a problem with doing that. Push on now and make sure you get the treble.

Re: One Down Two To Go : Tue Sep 01, 2015 11:07 am  

There are several important differences between last year and this. The addition of Cuthbertson and more recently Garbutt has meant we have been able to play a more attacking and offloading game, for much of the season, which in turn has led to the team needing to make considerably fewer tackles than recent years. This should mean we are fresher for the playoffs.

Add this to the point that has been made by others that this year we should not have the post Wembley negative emotional effect that last years long time coming Cup win produced because unlike last year our prime objective is to win the Championship from the top spot position. So our focus should still be on that aim.

Finally we have created doubts in the minds of all of our competitors, and their supporters, that our team and it's style of play is invincible this year. But this positive can so easily turn to a negative as the others could play with the freedom of underdogs with nothing to lose and we could become complacent and lose our edge. This is the challenge that McDermott and the players will have to overcome to keep mentally fit and focused.

I believe we have the players and coach to achieve the treble.