Carney takes aim at Leeds pack

TV pundit Brian Carney has questioned whether Leeds Rhinos have the forward pack capable of being a top team in Super League.

Leeds’ title defence has fallen apart as the club has slumped to eight losses from its first 10 games of the season.

Carney, the former Hull, Wigan and Warrington winger, is unsure if the Rhinos have the pack to compete with the best sides this year.

“You’ve got Keith Galloway, Beau Falloon, Adam Cuthbertson, Mitch Garbutt, Antony Mullally amongst your forwards,” he said on the Rugby League Renegades podcast.

“You’ve got an ageing Jamie Jones [Buchanan] and Carl Ablett. Brett Delaney’s body is held together by plaster bandages.

“I have been effusive in my praise for Brett Delaney and how brave he is on the field. But the man is battered and bruised.

“I don’t think that’s a pack capable of dominating many teams in Super League. I don’t think it is and I think it’s being exposed this year.

“I could be wrong. They will need to get Stevie Ward back, Brett Ferres of course is a quality addition to the side.

“They’re still lacking and I think the issue is not the money that they’re spending in the salary cap, I do believe they’re spending the salary cap.”

Leeds are missing first-teamers Jamie Peacock, Kylie Leuluai and Paul Aiton from their treble-winning season.

The likes of forwards Elliot Minchella, Rob Mulhearn and Robbie Ward also left the club at the end of 2015.

Leeds host Hull FC at Headingley tonight.