General thoughts
It was a useful exercise for us as a group. We set out in pre-season to keep building and use them as that, not try and peak and show our hand too much. Then it was a good opportunity for the young lads to get out there. They've had a big impact on pre-season and they're building nicely, they're going alright.
They've played together a lot and the environment has accepted them as young blokes but they also have some pull in there. They're confident when they're out there in their playing ability, it's just learning how to play a level up.
Joe Gibbons
He's grown in pre-season, in the past he has been a bit inconsistent with stuff but he's getting better at that with the way he's training and he's getting his rewards out there.
Read more: Four Leeds Rhinos players who stood out in pre-season victory over Bradford Bulls
James McDonnell's injury
Yeah, fine, just a precaution really, I don't think there's a major issue there. He could have come on and played again.
The Headingley pitch
I didn't play on it so I don't know! But there have been no complaints from the players about the field. There's plenty of sand out there but it seems alright.
Derrell Olpherts' absence
Just illness, he had to withdraw but he's alright.
Why David Fusitu'a didn't play
It's just a little bit of training and putting that under his belt, illness has dragged that on a little bit. But there's no rush for anyone to be out there playing. When the time is right for them to play, they will play. He's training and getting what he needs. He's fit, he's just been unfortunate with illness and the smart thing is to use other players and he'll come right. Nobody is fully up to speed until round four whether you've done part or a full pre-season and all the early rounds show that. It's just growing each player and the group up week-by-week.
What do the group of young players need to develop?
I don't think last year from experience anyone used reserves as well as they should but each individual will need testing at times. The core of it is getting these lads playing reserves together early and they'll then push themselves into our first team or to the Championship. It's not something we discuss now. Players will put themselves in the positions they need.
Can dual-reg and reserves work together?
I get that but there are only so many good players so the reserves wouldn't be as strong as it needs to be for some and too strong for others. It's using it the right way for what we need and when we need it.
Hull KR approach, will it be the strongest team?
Possibly, it's a matter of building on some combinations that need to be built upon. It's something we'll discuss as staff tomorrow.
Close to knowing the starting 17 for round one
Not even close. Rohan might have an idea but it's not something this week or next week, not that we're short-sighted or not planning towards it but it's about building to where we need to be for that game.
Is Ash Handley in line to play fullback?
Again, pre-season games are just an exercise, it's been our toughest training session if you want to put it that way. It's working on combos and taking it live is the best way to do it for them rather than getting to round one and throwing someone there. But he could play anywhere.
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