Decisiveness reqired...

By Peter Creek
January 24 2008

Life as a Leeds Carnegie fan is a bit of a roller coaster ride at the moment. This weekend’s encounter with London Irish is not a match for the faint hearted as a lot rides on its outcome. For Leeds this game is the first of a series of “cup-finals” which will decide the club’s fate come the end of May.

London Irish, who are currently enjoying a wonderful run in the Heineken Cup, have developed into a right set of party poopers of late. They will be hell bent on precipitating another relegation season on Leeds just as they did at HQ two years ago. As the season slowly ticks away everything has suddenly become very clear and simple for the Carnegies.

A win on Sunday followed by a winning run which will lift them clear of the drop zone is the answer. Stuart Lancaster has an easy job this week – pick the best team for the job and motivate it with this simple message: “ If you want to stay in the Premiership then win this game” The management team have experimented almost non-stop this season. The club’s strongest side is fairly obvious to most observers:

15. Lee Hinton  - Not the strongest of kickers but  confident under the high ball and an incisive runner with it in his hands.

14. Tom Biggs – First name on the teamsheet

13. Rob Vickerman – improving with every game and the man most likely to.

12. Lee Blackett – solid in defence and has shown glimpses of his attacking talents.

11. John Hepworth – must be in the side for his defence splitting runs.

10. Alberto Di Bernado – has shown, on occasions, real GP class.

9. Joe Bedford – capable, on his day, of dictating the play for Leeds.

1. Mike MacDonald – solid in the scrum, dangerous from close in.

2. Villi Ma’asi – The find of the season, a big impact player.

3. Colin Noon – Best scrummager in the club.

4. Stewart Hooper – consistent in the lineout, must lead decisively.

5. Eirik Lund -  Having a great season after a slow start.

6. John Dunbar – peerless on the blindside, big hitter.

7. Calum Clark – quick and fearless.

8. Rhys Oakley – consistent and influential.

Subs: James Brooks, Andy Tuilagi, Tommy McGee, Michael Cusack, Pablo Bouza, Danny Paul and Phil Nielsen.

Right that’s the team picked and the pre-match speech written. Lanny and his management team can relax on Saturday night and put their feet up. For the rest of you it is just as easy. Turn up early on Sunday, have a few beers with the excellent London Irish fans then shout yourself silly for eighty minutes while the boys do the business for us on the pitch.

Preview: Leeds Carnegie vs London Irish

Discussion started by TykesRugby.co.uk (IP Logged), 24/01/2008 09:52

TykesRugby.co.uk
24/01/2008 09:52

Preview: Leeds Carnegie vs London Irish

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farmertyke
24/01/2008 10:19

As you say team selection quite easy really. Might have had Balding in or is he still injured?

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DCM
24/01/2008 13:02

Hepworth on the wing?

Unlikely, that lump Satala will be there to display his complete unease with his surroundings.

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apb
24/01/2008 13:15

DCM

Please moderate your language. There's really no need to be abusive.

Waiting for the good times ...

..and waiting ....


... and waiting ...

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DCM
24/01/2008 14:18

APB - I don't mean that in an offensive way.

Lump can be a good quality. And if Satala could use his frame more effectively, I'd be happy!

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tykesam
24/01/2008 15:54

Cant wait,
The inlaws are coming up (Irish fans) should be a great game,lets hope the weather dosnt intervene.
p.s.I agree with some other posters time to give Armstrong and/or Hughes a run.

SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO HOPE AND PRAY!

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Griff
24/01/2008 16:10

Nice preview, although I'm not sure you can really blame us at HQ for your relegation... It was the first game of the season, there were others that contributed (and before you scream I fully understand that giving a home fixture away was deemed to be stupid it's still only one game).

I'm looking forward to my trip back to my college stomping-ground, see y'all there.

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Down the Line!
24/01/2008 18:16

Good Preview, thanks Peter

Looking forward to the Lads performing to their strengths and pulling off what in theory (bearing mind Irish's HC form) would be an unlikely win.

Here's hoping - Come on you Leeds!

looking forward to the Premiership next Season already...!

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Wildwillie
24/01/2008 18:29

Griff - we all went to HQ that day & came away thinking that it had been a big mistake surrendering home advantage. After that game our season never really took off.

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oopnorth
24/01/2008 21:49

The LI MB is very quiet about the game, and are not coming over here to assail us with merry Irish/Reading quips.

Perhaps they can't spell Carnegie on Google.

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Griff
25/01/2008 09:50

Apologies oopnorth - many of our more sociable folks had a bit of a heavy weekend at our away match in Treviso. Don't be offended if they have trouble raising their spirits for a January match in sunny Leeds (some people don't know the magic).

Wildwillie, while I can understand the feeling about the LDH can you really claim it was to blame for the entire season ? Surely coaches are there to get players playing their best. Professional players can't afford to let one-match affect their whole season and supporters have to let stuff go at some point.

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apb
25/01/2008 10:05

No Griff, you don't understand.

ITS ALL YOUR FAULT.

Waiting for the good times ...

..and waiting ....


... and waiting ...

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Griff
25/01/2008 10:34

Ah, now you put it so clearly I see.

Sorry.

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apb
25/01/2008 10:46

Yeah, so ha! Let that be a lesson to you young man!!!

Waiting for the good times ...

..and waiting ....


... and waiting ...

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Giles the drunk
25/01/2008 11:52

"We all agree Terry the Tyke is a Hamster"

One of my favourite away trips !!

Come on you Irish !!

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Fan of Rugby
25/01/2008 11:57

The team in full is:
15. Leigh Hinton
14. John Holtby
13. Jonny Hepworth
12. Lee Blackett
11. Tom Biggs
10. Alberto Di Bernardo
9. Joe Bedford (c)
1. Mike MacDonald
2. Vili Ma'asi
3. Tommy McGee
4. Pablo Bouza
5. Erik Lund
6. Jon Dunbar
7. Calum Clark
8. Rhys Oakley
16. Fosi Pala'amo
17. James Parkes
18. Danny Paul
19. Adam Balding
20. James Brookes
21. Andy Tuilagi
22. Rob Vickerman

Looks a very strong team. Looking forward to seeing Hepworth in the centres with Blackett. Holtby in for Satala after impressing in training.

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Mark_C
25/01/2008 12:06

Let's hope he impresses on the pitch too!

Looks a good side, though.

Is Welding still injured?

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prawn cocktail
25/01/2008 12:10

Giles, at least WE knew what poor Terry was. I have no idea what the current thing is. I do know, however, which I prefer.

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Wildwillie
25/01/2008 12:24

Nice to see John Holtby getting a start.

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Fan of Rugby
25/01/2008 14:25

Yeh, I think Richard Welding is still injured

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Tyke Steve
26/01/2008 16:30

If all goes well I think this should be a win for us. I think we can get the result here.

Your bullets cannot harm me! My wings are like a shield of Steel!

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Dorset Tyke
26/01/2008 16:33

I don't think it is going to matter either way Wuss are beating Bris so that is us....

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Tyke Steve
26/01/2008 16:37

Quote:

Dorset Tyke
I don't think it is going to matter either way Wuss are beating Bris so that is us....

In that case, we'll have to win with a 4 try BP then

Your bullets cannot harm me! My wings are like a shield of Steel!

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MadMonk
26/01/2008 21:46

No pressure then! At least our Wuss mates will be backing the visitors.

It is also a "must win" game for Irish who now have a taste for Heineken (competition, not beer - get real!) We have a long climb to make GP top 6 (- Now HC quarters are fixed we cannot rely on an English club winning so 7th will not do.)

Unfortunately having recently returned from Treviso I will be following procedures online but look forward to the return leg at the end of the season

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