LEEDS coach Brian McDermott may use two players to fill the void created by hooker Danny Buderus’ return to Australia during the Rhinos’ defence of their Super League title in 2012.

Paul McShane, understudy to Buderus in 2011, has been handed his old number nine jersey and started yesterday’s Boxing Day challenge match against Wakefield but rival Liam Hood came off the bench to produce an oustanding display in a 26-10 victory.

McDermott admitted the performance of the 19-year-old Hood, who was recently handed a four-year Super League contract, has presented him with a dilemma as he ponders his hooking options for the new season.

“I have an idea who it could be but I haven’t nailed it down yet,” he said.

“I often get asked how we replace Danny Buderus and the easy answer is you don’t, so maybe we’ll have two men try to do the job that Bedsy did on his own.

“They have two very different styles. Hood is a darter out of dummy half while McShane has a lot more subtleties. They are both as effective as each other so we’re blessed in that department this year.”

Fielding a mixture of seasoned professionals and promising youngsters in their first outing since their Grand Final triumph over St Helens in October, the Rhinos showed some encouraging touches in front of a 9,062 crowd at Headingley.

Acting captain Rob Burrow, centre Zak Hardaker and loose forward Chris Clarkson, who were all members of Leeds’ Grand Final-winning team, were among the tryscorers.

“Two-thirds of the way through pre-season, it was as expected,” McDermott added. “I didn’t think it was the flashiest game but it was not as pedestrian as I thought it would be.”