Yorkshire Carnegie
COME ON LEEDS!!!
Quins Skipper
By Andy Brown
December 3 2009
It is less than twenty-four hours before we know the result of the next in a long line of Leeds' “must win” games, the visit of Harlequins to Headingley. Much has been made of the need for Leeds to break out of the heroic failure mould and scale the heights of regular winners, and Quins would perhaps early on have been a "target" game.
Harlequins early season form was rocked to the core with the Bloodgate scandal (don't worry Quins fans, I won;t mention it again!) and they, much like Leeds, found it difficult even to buy a win. The fact that recent form has improved iimmesurably should be both succour and a warning to the Yorkshire boys; Quins have pulled themselves out of a self-destructive torpor and started playing some entertaining and try-scoring rugby (notably last week'ss game against Gloucester, where apparently Nick Evans played a blinder) which shows what a collective spirit, mental toughness and pure talent can do. Leeds have all these qualities and thus should be able to perform a similar turnaround.
But of course, playing an opponent enjoying a rich vein of form is never exactly something to regard with joy. Leeds will need to play out of their skins if they are going to get something out of this. With the injuries and suspensions causing the side fielded tomorrow to be pretty much all there is in the talent cupboard, Leeds have to go into this match as underdogs, despite the home advantage.
But perhaps this is where things can and should turn around. The previous home game against Sale Leeds played some of the best rugby I've seen at Headingley for years, and the confidence with which they played oozed out of every pore. That first sixty minutes was wonderful, and this is the kind of performance the boys need to produce for a full eighty tomorrow. The atmosphere in the South Stand that wet Sunday afternoon was a bit special, and the Leeds fans should take every opportunity to create a similar level of noise and excitement tomorrow night. When the fans are upbeat, the team is upbeat, and we should all work as hard as the players do to get our first Premiership win at Headingley this season.
It will take hard work to do, and the Quins won't be travelling all the way up the M1 to go home with nothing but a Brett's fish supper to remember the day by. They will want to push their way further up the table, and they will be ruthless if we give them opportunities. An England/All-Black half-back pairing is pretty special, and these two will need to be stopped, and stopped good. The powerful back row will be able to rumble through us all day if we let them, so lets get them turned around at every opportunity; I want to see Nick Easter huffing and puffing his way up and down the pitch trying to catch up with the play! Lets bring the fast boys out wide into play and back them up, create quick ball and build momentum.
Sod it, forget all that, just go out there and win any way you can!!
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03/12/2009 23:53
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It is going to be one hell of a tough game, but despite the injuries I think Leeds still have enough to sneak a win.
I can't wait to see the battle beytween Gomers vs Care - master vs apprentice! (or something like that!).
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Please check out my rugby blog at: [studsonthe22.blogspot.com]
On our way. Mighty Joe Ford - cometh the hour cometh the man.
COME ON LEEDS
My word! Is there sum suggestion that Quins were trying to bribe opponents to into losing, whatever next?
"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)
Please also go up and talk to a lonely AramisTyke if you see him, and someone please shout "Every time, sir, every time!" after the first penalty.
PT
Pain is only temporary but victory is forever
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Please check out my rugby blog at: [studsonthe22.blogspot.com]
C'mon Bris
