The judiciary really don't like Byrne do they. Almost feels personal

Cooper will come into the side. I have no doubt about that. History shows that Peet always goes with the experienced option.

Personally, I agree that Hill is the one who deserves the call up. I wouldn't have minded an gamble on Walters too. A bit of size and x- factor etc.

Cooper will play tho.

Either of Hill or Cooper would be fine by me. The only justification for Walters would be to provide more flexibility with rotation options in a big game but I can't see it.

I would go with Cooper personally and start him, Having an experienced head leading the pack in a big game like this can be invaluable especially with us missing Isa.

I would be happy for Hill though if he got the nod, very impressed with his progress this year and i am sure he wouldn't let us down.

Strongly suspect he'll go with Cooper but Hill was 18th man last week with Cooper available so you never know. Either would be fine with me and, you would think, less likely cause a disciplinary problem than Byrne which could prove especially important in a knock out game.

As an aside, I wouldn't play Byrne again until he learns to bend his back going into the tackle. He's far too often upright on contact which is causing him (and the team) problems.

Not appealing, big opportunity for either Hill/Cooper, Byrne must've surely knocked himself down the prop pecking order

Tough choice between Hill or Cooper.

The option to play O'Neil at 13 after a break means we have a very mobile aggressive defender in the 2nd half and so takes a little pressure of potentially tiring forwards with Ellis also able to move up to prop. Whether that points to Hill, Cooper or even Walters playing I have no idea !

We do know that KR will try and move the ball around so we need our forwards to be mobile.
Main thing in the first half is to be excellent in contact up front - if we can manage that I think we'll have a great chance.

Three great options to bring in for Byrne I reckon.

Cooper - big game player, plenty of experience. Started in the WCC and played great.

Hill - been in great for this year, would bring energy and work rate, played in the playoff semi win against KR last year

Walters - massive backrow/front row hybrid, big potential and had a brilliant season last year.


I’d lean Hill but all 3 are good options.

The CC semi against them last year we only had Byrne and Ellis as out and out props. Mago at the time couldn’t be trusted and played very few minutes and Hill was unused.

Compare that to Thompson, Ellis, Dupree, Havard, Cooper/Hill it’s night and day.

I have no doubt that Coops will play, big game experience is vital. If we start fast and play to our potential we will be Wembley bound.

A bit harsh on Hill who hasn't put a foot wrong but I agree that Cooper will play, and on balance I think that's the right call.

It was great to see O'Neill and Leeming play so well in the same side last weekend. I was never particularly concerned about having 140 props because you expect to pick up injuries and bans there as the season goes on, but as soon as we signed Leeming I wondered how we would manage giving him enough game time alongside O'Neill when one of his strengths is that he can do big minutes.

I think O'Neill will make a brilliant 13 ,good hands and great fitness to tackle anything that moves.