Its far from hypothetical. Both are coming up for renewal of contract, or at least one was renewed recently and the other not.



One is higher paid than the other one at present. Yet the other one is far more important to the team.



Nothing hypothetical about that. It should be a no brainer.



I agree however, on keeping within our wage structure. So long as that wage structure is indeed fair.

Just signed a mega-money (by Aussie standards) deal with Brisbane pal, he aint going anywhere.



I reckon Burgess is the most likely to sign out of those three.

Each case is different because they are assessed on many things i.e age,experience,international call ups,importance to the squad,coaches opinion.etc.

If 1 is higher paid at present then that scenario must of been warranted as for the new deal negotiations i'm sure the structure in place will cover ALL scenario's and outcomes.

Smith is now a current full International and will be deserving of moving up a bracket or several from his previous contract signed June 2005, almost four years ago.



Without knowing all the grades within the much alluded to unbreakable pay structure wouldn't Smith be looking at around the mark attained by the other current Internationals? and perhaps there is only room for so many of those within the squad at Leeds with the likes of Sinfield, McGuire, Burrow, Peacock and JJB sorted and Smith, Senior yet to commit.

No argument with one paid higher at present. One was a regular in the NRL with a good try scoring record, the other was in and out of the side and already on a long term contract at lower money (why change it).



But now it is enitrely relevant. And in this particular case, one is an International and the other is not.

Totally agree and would be a shame to lose him especially to union but i trust GH 100% and i believe we have plenty of young,hungry and good enough homegrown players to come into the squad should smith leave.

I think if he's to stay he wouldn't be a top earner anymore and i'd say it'd be more appearance related.

I know what yer saying though re- the golden core!

Just thinking of our current internationals (off the top of my head) and whether their contracts were up this year or not.



I almost threw Diskin in there too but he isn't a current International although deserves to be.

He was when his contract was signed, wasn't he?

Could do with that current contract thread being brought up!

Signed his current contract March 2006. I don't think he'd played Internationally since he did his knee at the KC Stadium at the end of 2004 playing for GB (on debut?). He was an International but not a current one not least because of his injury.

To Kylie & Lee



Please fell free to hold out for as much as you can, and if you have to leave, then I'm sure your career will improve.



regards



Chev Walker, Mark Calderwood, Chris Feather, Nick Scruton etc