OFFICIAL - 2012 Leeds Rhinos squad

[rhino2009]

My understanding is the following 8 players are out of contract at the end of the 2011 season:

Brent Webb
Keith Senior
Kylie Leuluai
Jamie Peacock
Ali Lauititi
Ryan Bailey
Ian Kirke
Luke Burgess

In addition although Danny Buderus is not out of contract until 2012, there are rumours that he will return to Newcastle at the end this season (assuming the club will release him).
Whatever happens there will have to be significant changes to the squad.
I've heard the following rumours:
Brent Webb - Widnes
Keith Senior - retiring
Ali Lauititi - Widnes
Luke Burgess - NRL

These are only rumours and no doubt there are others as well. Have you any idea who might be staying and who could be going? When Gary returned from Australia at the end of last year he said the main purpose was to look at players availability for 2012. Have the above rumours any credence and any others doing the round? As for new players coming in any ideas who Gary is after and how long we will have to wait for news? There's lots of speculation that Rangi Chase will join the Rhinos but I don't know how reliable the information is. As for signings from the NRL I've seen the names of Trent Waterhouse and Matt Cooper mentioned as players we are interested in? Does anybody want to speculate on outs and ins for next year?

[Cheese]

jase. the worst thing leeds can do is go out and sign 6 or 7 players, no matter from where.

a couple or 3 young guys coming thru could be blooded, and a similar number of new players, whether from down under or europe doesnt matter.

with so many all finishing at the same time, its important not to have sweeping changes, or it will be a few yrs in the wilderness until it all gels again.

[MossdaleRhino]

Well I've heard the Webb to Widnes rumour a couple of times now, latest time just last Friday at the Cats game. I think someone at a game mentioned to me recently that Kylie might be signing a 1 year extension. As for the rest of em who knows. I could easily believe Biff going to join their Sam in Oz, and I love the idea that we might be signing Rangi Chase from Cas.
As for foreign imports, given that Ben Cross has yet to convince a lot of the faithful this season, I hope that whoever we may sign is going to be a big player or else I would prefer to see us bringing more of our home grown talent through the system over the next couple of years, rather than spending a lot of the cap on foreign misfits or has beens.
I f Bedsy is to leave at the end of this season, I would not be tempted to replace him with anyone new as we have two highly useful replacements already in Macca and Liam Hood. It will be sad to see him leave though, as he's been magnificent for us this year so far.

[Georgina]

I think if Senior wants another year he'll get it but they may want him to move into the pack. Don't honestly think any NRL team will want Biffa at the mo. Kylie and JP will get extensions but it seems likely Webb will go to Widnes, hope not though he's just getting back to something like his old self and could come back to haunt us. Not sure about Kirke but I think Ali will go to Widnes or retire. I think we will keep Bailey as he is a hard worker if not spectacular and of course counts on our home grown rota. I hope he stays cos I just love how he winds up the opposition!

[MossdaleRhino]

Georgina, re Senior I think he'd make a a solid second rower, but I'm not sure he himself wants to play there. Still if it gets him a 1 year deal beggars cant be choosers I guess. As for Kirke and Bailey, I think they both should get a 1 year deal, as they do enough for me, neither spectacular, but they do put in hard yards for us when we have to grind out a result. Ali has been just a bit too injury prone of late and that could work against him in the final shake up I reckon.

[Georgina]

Agree re Ali shame though cos when he's on it and fit he can be amazing. Don't think Senior would get a decent contract anywhere else as a centre so he may have to move into the pack whether he likes it or not! My opinion of Kirke changes by the game I'm afraid - it seems like he struggles with consistency but he does make good yards when hes on a good day! Still cringe when he gets the ball tho!

[Farmduck]

If you want to do some window shopping, I started this thread on available NRL players for next year. I've been deleting players as they sign up, so the list is fairly accurate.

http://www.superleaguefans.com/forum/thread-2573.html

[rugbyleaugeruk]

This is what i'd like to do with the players

Brent Webb - 2 year
Keith Senior - retire
Kylie Leuluai - 1 year minimum
Jamie Peacock - 1 year minimum
Ali Lauititi - let him leave hes been injured on and off for 2 seasons now
Ryan Bailey - 2 year (might not be everyones favourite but i bet hes a cheap squad player)
Ian Kirke - 2 year (same as above)
Luke Burgess - 2 year

When it comes to new signings though i'd like us to look at our academy lads and look to promote from within first! But I feel the place we need to look at is a centre if senior retires and delaney moves into a full time 2nd row position we would be short of a centre. Smith doesnt cut it for me at the moment and i dont think he is a centre

next year?
webb/bjb
Hardaker
Watkins
?????
Hall

[rhino65]

Remember Zak is pretty versatile, has played FB, Wing, Centre and SO.

Young lad who will get bigger and stronger.

[LeedsBarmyArmy]

I think we should let Ali and Webb leave, Ali is too injury prone and even tho i believe letting Webb leave will come back to haunt us I dont see why we should keep him when we have BJB coming thru the ranks!

I think Senior will retire and i would give Kylie and JP 1 year deals!

Id sign up Bailey and Burgess for another 2 years, unless someone comes in for Burgess then id let him leave as i believe Ambler may be able to step up now!