The Leicester Tigers thread

by Portnoy Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:00 pm

First topic message reminder :

2012/3 may well prove to be a memorable one.

For once, there seems to be (albeit not unplumbable) strength in depth, a fairly healthy squad and a straightforward, uncomplicated international season.

by Portnoy Wed Aug 29, 2012 1:59 pm

OW have signed a couple of props from Bourgoin http://www.espnscrum.com/premiership-2012-13/rugby/story/168970.html .

by formerly known as Sam Wed Aug 29, 2012 2:00 pm

Logo is back in the country and was supposed to start at the weekend. I dunno where his conditioning is at but seeing as we've seen nothing of Stanko and he has had shoulder surgery I'd assume Logo is the more likely choice. It's that or we move over one of Brookes or Castro, not confident with that. Balmain is getting a good write up here and there but is still very young, Harris is slightly more experienced but I'm not sure he'll ever make the Tigers first team on a regular basis.

by **LondonTiger** Wed Aug 29, 2012 2:06 pm

Mulipola was not prominent round the pitch, in the 60 minutes he played - but the scrum went well.

Just that as Stankovitch (Bobo that is) did not feature I am assuming he is not in contention for the weekend, hence unlikely to be on the bench.

OW have strengthened their squad, but how much stronger they are last season up front I am not sure. Speaking to a nottingham fan he reckoned they destroyed the Exiles in the scrum last season!

by formerly known as Sam Wed Aug 29, 2012 2:15 pm

To be honest I think OW were built on a good backrow, Mike Ross's tactical kicking and a couple of decent backs making good yardage. Think their points kicker was pretty damn reliable as well. Cockers pointed out in an article in the Mercury today that the up your jumper game wouldn't suit them and he was expecting them to throw it about.

With that in mind I hope we kick to the corners, pin them back and then try to exert pressure and turn the screw at the set pieces. Keep them out of points kicking range and make sure our back three are well positioned to deal with Mike Ross. In the midfield we should be all over them.

I guess there are a few question marks over the starters for this weekend, should make it more interesting. Not suprised Logo had a quiet game if his conditioning isn't up to scratch. Cockers has also tipped Balmain to come into the squad more this off season. Be interesting to see whether the OW props are worth their salt, they've certainly targeted that area for recruitment.

by Dim Wed Aug 29, 2012 5:06 pm

Mike Ross's tactical kicking

Possibly Gordon Ross? Mike Ross being the Irish prop who's tactical kicking probably isn't up to much.

On the tactical kicking note how much do you think will be seen of Ford this season? Is he definitely now 2nd choice 10 behind Flood? Could he usurp Flood this season?

by **LondonTiger** Wed Aug 29, 2012 5:51 pm

Yes Ford is second choice.
Yes he could usurp Flood by the end of the season.

by maverickmak Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:04 am

The NZ Maori are set to take on Leicester on November the 13th as part of the AI tours. Exciting!

by aucklandlaurie Thu Aug 30, 2012 8:23 am

Heres Leicesters chance to respond to the Haka...

by formerly known as Sam Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:18 am

Heres Leicesters chance to respond to the Haka...

That went so well last time Cockers decided to respond to the Haka. I just hope we can field a better team than we did against Oz last year, there were a lot of injuries.

Possibly Gordon Ross? Mike Ross being the Irish prop who's tactical kicking probably isn't up to much.

On the tactical kicking note how much do you think will be seen of Ford this season? Is he definitely now 2nd choice 10 behind Flood? Could he usurp Flood this season?

of course I did.

Ford will get plenty of game time if he stays match fit what with England call ups and Tigers rotation. He may well be in a position to become the first choice 10 by the end of the 6N.

by aucklandlaurie Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:25 am

I'm sure guys like Newby,"Barney" Waldrum even Dan Bowden will be up for this game just lock that Scott Hamilton in the sheds.

by **LondonTiger** Thu Aug 30, 2012 10:29 am

Touch and go whether Newby will be fit. I heard some whispers that he may have to retire Sad

by bluestonevedder Thu Aug 30, 2012 10:36 am

Where did you hear that LT??

by formerly known as Sam Thu Aug 30, 2012 10:37 am

We won't see Newby for a while, more work on his knees (this time the other one), sadly I can see this being his last season for us.

I think Scotty Hamilton is likely to start. He's a bit past his best in terms of pace and creation but he offers a steady reliable option to support Geordan against a team that like their tactical kicking. He will be a good positional option which will be a contrast to Goneva who is all pace and creation and not so hot on the whole positioning in defence thing. Unless Cockers shocks us all and gives Lewington a go and gets the best of both worlds but minus a bit of experience.

Waldrom will probably start over Crane as he Jordan makes his come back, that situation will probably have reversed by October. Dan Bowden is due to play for the A team on Monday night at Saints.

by **LondonTiger** Thu Aug 30, 2012 11:06 am

bluestonevedder wrote:Where did you hear that LT??

Same source who told me Harry Ellis would retire about 4 months before he did. Mind you they also told me Louis Deacon's back would force him to retire before RWC. So...... Very Happy

Either way it is unlikely Newby would be fit by November to face the Maoris

by bluestonevedder Thu Aug 30, 2012 11:16 am

LondonTiger wrote:

Same source who told me Harry Ellis would retire about 4 months before he did. Mind you they also told me Louis Deacon's back would force him to retire before RWC. So......

So there's still hope it's not true!

Would be terrible for Newby to retre now. Hopefully, he can squeeze one more season out of his body. Heck of a servant.

by **LondonTiger** Thu Aug 30, 2012 11:20 am

His knees are in a bad state. For his long term health retirement would be a sensible option - but a hard one to make for a player like him.

by formerly known as Sam Thu Aug 30, 2012 11:27 am

I hope the bring back the Herring style coaching role for him. I'm sure our breakdown work used to be better when we had a dedicated breakdown coach. He would be a good person to have coaching through the next bunch of academy forwards as well. Herring did both, I hope Newby does as well. With Geordan set to coach the academy backs after retiring it would be an amazing time to be offered a place in the academy.

Let's hope for a big year from both first, topped with some silverware.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Fri Aug 31, 2012 2:13 pm

When the Thorpe deal was done it was mentioned the signing was made due to Newby not responding well to the off season surgery on his knees,
theyve also trialled that Saffa chap (joost?)since then.

by Portnoy Fri Aug 31, 2012 3:43 pm

The Tigers team as announced http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/14857.php should be hung, drawn and quartered and their bodies spiked for public display on Gallowgate if they don't pick up a bp.

Just like the team that failed so badly in Aironi last season.

by formerly known as Sam Fri Aug 31, 2012 7:24 pm

Change Castro and Cole over and Brett Deacon for Thorpe on the bench and I called it. Damn, so close. I hope Tigers have a spare loosehead in attendance in case Stanko doesn't make it.

by nathan Sat Sep 01, 2012 4:25 pm

Being reported that Manu has been working on his kicking in training so we might see more of tomorrow.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Sat Sep 01, 2012 4:44 pm

nathan wrote:Being reported that Manu has been working on his kicking in training so we might see more of tomorrow.

What just incase the crash ball isnt on he can kick it instead of passing outside him?

by **LondonTiger** Sat Sep 01, 2012 4:59 pm

As i keep saying, Manu made 4 try scoring passes last week.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Sat Sep 01, 2012 5:02 pm

Right theyve obviously had Farrell on the phone going nuts at them for it

by **LondonTiger** Sun Sep 02, 2012 11:49 am

Nervous.

4 years since I last missed tigers first game of the season. Mind you that was the last time we won on the opening weekend so may be a good omen.

by **LondonTiger** Sun Sep 02, 2012 7:24 pm

Well, at least we got the TBP.

by Guest Mon Sep 03, 2012 2:22 pm

Don't know whether you guys had seen this yet?

http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2012/09/tuilagi_to_return_to_the_tiger.php

by yappysnap Mon Sep 03, 2012 3:58 pm

LondonTiger wrote:As i keep saying, Manu made 4 try scoring passes last week.

Sadly it looks like that was his full quota for the season used up there.

by **LondonTiger** Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:03 pm

He was involved with giving the penultimate pass for two of Tigers tries I thought - Thomas' fist and Goneva's.

He was not involved in Parling's try, but there we saw what will probably be allen's only pass of the season.

by yappysnap Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:16 pm

I'll have to watch the highlights and look out for those then.

by **LondonTiger** Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:22 pm

yappysnap wrote:I'll have to watch the highlights and look out for those then.

He certainly wasn't just looking for contact. People I was with commented on that, as they have believed Stuart Barnes guff that he is nothing but a crash ball player.

by **LondonTiger** Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:23 pm

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/14891.php

Tigers A team tonight does indeed contain Miles Benjamin, Dan Bowden and Adam Thompstone. Here;s hoping the pack (including two flankers new to me) can get them some ball so they can all make a case for inclusion v Worcester.

by yappysnap Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:26 pm

Good to see Cornwell back at 10 and captaining. Brookes needs a big game as well if he wants to get back in to the first team.

by Portnoy Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:29 pm

Highlight and full matches are being shown on http://www.premiershiprugby.tv/

(Apparently)

by **LondonTiger** Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:30 pm

Fraser Balmain can make a push on the loosehead. Ayerza is unavailable till December and Mulipola is some way of peak fitness (and I have never really rated Stankovich).

Brookes just needs a run of games so he is ready when the AIs come around and Colastro are unavailable.

by bluestonevedder Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:38 pm

Portnoy wrote:Highlight and full matches are being shown on http://www.premiershiprugby.tv/

(Apparently)

God bless that wesbite. angel

by **LondonTiger** Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:27 pm

Well half time at Franklin Gardens and Saints are dominating. A younbg Tigers pack are struggling and Saints experienced half backs controlling the game well.

26-7

by pioden gorllewin Tue Sep 04, 2012 8:27 am

The Rugby Paper reports that Leicester Tigers are contemplating whether to try and tempt Alesana Tuilagi back to the club after Japan's season comes to an end. Tuilagi left Welford Road last summer and the Tigers have brought in a variety of new signings, but you can't help but feel that if Tuilagi becomes available then he will be wearing red and green by the end of the season.

by **LondonTiger** Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:27 am

Ben Woods retires:

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/14895.php

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:33 am

Sad to hear that, LT

by yappysnap Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:38 am

Real shame, but then he had been out for a while I guess.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:41 am

pioden gorllewin wrote:The Rugby Paper reports that Leicester Tigers are contemplating whether to try and tempt Alesana Tuilagi back to the club after Japan's season comes to an end. Tuilagi left Welford Road last summer and the Tigers have brought in a variety of new signings, but you can't help but feel that if Tuilagi becomes available then he will be wearing red and green by the end of the season.

This sounds like another rugby paper space filler, unless they think Goneva is going to leave or that Tuilagi misses his family so much he'll come home for a bag of crisps and a £5 a week. As much as anything theres the salary cap which in theory still exists.

by Portnoy Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:41 am

Really bad news. At 30 he still had some useful service in him. To be retired with a wrist injury at the Tigers will all br grist to the mill for his colleagues at his retirement party.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:43 am

LondonTiger wrote:Ben Woods retires:

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/14895.php

God almost forgotten he existed. With Newbies future unceratin too I wouldve thought another flanker would be on the agenda before bringing Tuilagi back

by bluestonevedder Wed Sep 05, 2012 10:07 am

Didn't they get Thorpe in as cover for Newby?

by **LondonTiger** Wed Sep 05, 2012 10:09 am

bluestonevedder wrote:Didn't they get Thorpe in as cover for Newby?

Thorpe and Deacon Jr were brought in on the cheap and fairly last minute due to the various concerns over Croft, Newby and Woods.

by beshocked Wed Sep 05, 2012 10:11 am

What is Tiger's full strength backrow?

I know you have the likes of Salvi,Croft,Newby,Waldrom Mafi,Crane etc.

Who else is there?

Whose your 7? Is it Salvi?

Is it

6.Croft
7.Salvi
8.Crane/Waldrom?

by **LondonTiger** Wed Sep 05, 2012 10:29 am

Croft/Mafi
Salvi/Newby
Crane/Waldrom

If fit interchangeable and horses for courses.

So not really told you anything new Smile

Of course if Salvi gets injured we may see Tigers premier scavenger Dan Cole playing at 7 Very Happy

by yappysnap Wed Sep 05, 2012 11:07 am

He's also your ruck coach as well isn't he...

by bluestonevedder Wed Sep 05, 2012 11:19 am

LondonTiger wrote:Croft/Mafi
Salvi/Newby
Crane/Waldrom

If fit interchangeable and horses for courses.

So not really told you anything new

Of course if Salvi gets injured we may see Tigers premier scavenger Dan Cole playing at 7

He is ridiculously good on the deck for a man his size. He started as a flanker I think, in the academy? It's interesting that Corbs is so decent on the floor as well, possibly something to do with England coaching setup's influence? I think that's what sets those two so far apart from other props at the moment- their all-round game.

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