But what is the 19 man "rule"



I've been on the RFL website and bar reading 400+ pdf pages I can't get straight to it.

Thank God for that. Seeing the tackle I was certain that he'd be banned and Leeds would have to bring in somebody good.

This is the nearest thing I can find

Doesn't particularly help much tho'

I'd seen that bit but it has no mention of 19 named players or the time frame?

I can't find the exact rule, however the basic premise is....



Club names a 19 man squad 48 hours before the match (not sure if there's a specific time, but it's roughly 2 days before). Up until a year or two ago, this used to be a 20 man squad 72 hours before, then cut that down to 18 men, 24 hours before the game. They changed it though, I think due to a pointless amount of admin.



The team for the game must come from that 19 man squad.



If any member of that 19 is injured and can be proven to the RFL that he is injured, he can be replaced with someone else from the squad.





That's the basic premise of it. The way around that, as I have detailed on another thread, is to purposely name an injured player in the 19. That way, you can replace that player at any point, with anyone else.



Saints have done it before so that they can include a returning player as a surprise, without giving the opposition much warning. What they do though is perfectly within the rules, so there's nothing really wrong with it.



The same goes for Lee Smith. All the Rhinos have to do is prove one of their current 19 is injured, and they can replace him with Smith. Considering the likes of Sinfield & Leuluai did not play last week, there's every chance one of them is still carrying an injury, so it's very easy to do, and completely within the rules.

That's how I interpeted the rule in my head but I was just looking on the RFL site for the exact black and white rule because of the moaning from some fans.



Thanks for the explanation though.

going to be pretty obvious when its bush or clarkson who are suddenly 'injured' and have to withdraw though isn't it.

Excellent. A few penalties heading our way then. Hope Orford has his boots on the right feet.

Well it was always going to be the case that we'd be facing a pretty much full strength Leeds side. The key is whether Sinfield plays for me.



I'm either going with a close win for the Bulls or a big win for Rhinos. Can't decide yet.



Got my ticket though and looking forward too it.

Bailey 2010: 7 appearances, 7 penalties. If your lucky you might get it in Orford range and not get nilled







Tbh I've no idea on predicting this one, Leeds vs Bradford seem to be impossible to predict in the last couple of years. On paper Leeds should rip Bulls apart, but probs wont happen.

Paul Deacon gave away more penalties last year. He was an animal, mind.

On paper Leeds should also have ripped cas,wakey and hull kr apart ( I'll give you hudds and wigan as on paper they are a pretty even match for you). As you know it didnt happen. The league table doesnt lie!