Aviva Premieship Round 3 - Preview and Discussion

First topic message reminder :

TABLE


Friday 14th September

Bath Rugby (4,4) v Northampton Saints (4,5) - 19:45 ESPN
Preview

Bath Team News:
Bath make two changes, Ben williams for the Injured Banahan and Paul James in for Nathan Catt.

15. Nick Abendanon, 14. Kyle Eastmond, 13. Dan Hipkiss, 12. Ben Williams, 11. Tom Biggs, 10. Olly Barkley, 9. Michael Claassens
1. Paul James, 2. Lee Mears, 3. David Wilson, 4. Stuart Hooper (c), 5. Dominic Day, 6. Simon Taylor, 7. Carl Fearns, 8. Ben Skirving

16. Ross Batty, 17. Nathan Catt, 18. Anthony Perenise, 19. Dave Attwood, 20. Josh Ovens, 21. Mark McMillan, 22. Ollie Devoto, 23. Jack Cuthbert


Saints Team News:
A few enforced changes for Saints - Burrell starts for the injured Pisi, tom Mercey is chosen ahead of PDJ to deputise for the Mooj. Finally Rhys Oakley stands in for the suspended van Velze. In the backs Myler chosen ahead of Lamb. Nice to see Lawes making an appearance on the Saints bench.

15 Ben FODEN, 14 Ken PISI, 13 Dom WALDOUCK ,12 Luther BURRELL ,11 Vasily ARTEMYEV ,10 Stephen MYLER ,9 Lee DICKSON ,
1 Soane TONGA'UIHA ,2 Dylan HARTLEY (capt) ,3 Tom MERCEY ,4 Samu MANOA ,5 Christian DAY ,6 Phil DOWSON ,7 Tom WOOD ,8 Rhys OAKLEY

16 Mike HAYWOOD 17 Alex WALLER 18 Paul DORAN JONES 19 Mark SORENSON 20 Courtney LAWES 21 Martin ROBERTS 22 Ryan LAMB 23 Tom MAY



Saturday 15th September

Worcester Warriors (1,0) v Gloucester Rugby (1,4) 13:30 ESPN
Preview

Worcester:
Warriors make changes on the wing, centre and back row with Walker, Carlisle and Kvesic coming in.
15 Chris Pennell, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Joe Carlisle, 11 David Lemi, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Shaun Perry
1 Matt Mullan, 2 Aleki Lutui, 3 John Andress, 4 James Percival, 5 Dean Schofield (c), 6 Chris Jones, 7 Sam Betty, 8 Matt Kvesic

16 Ollie Hayes, 17 Ceri Jones, 18 James Currie, 19 Craig Gillies, 20 Semisi Taulava, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 Josh Matavesi, 23 Josh Drauniniu


Gloucester:
36 switches to 10 while Tindall returns in the 12 shirt.
Jonny May; Shane Monahan, Henry Trinder, Mike Tindall, James Simpson-Daniel; Billy Twelvetrees, Dan Robson;
Nick Wood, Huia Edmonds, Rupert Harden; Will James, Jim Hamilton (capt); Tom Savage, Andy Hazell, Ben Morgan

Darren Dawidiuk, Dan Murphy, Shaun Knight, Sione Kalamafoni, Akapusi Qera, Dave Lewis, Freddie Burns, Rob Cook




Harlequins (5,5) v Sale Sharks (0,1) – 15:00
Preview

Quins:
Care switches with Dickson, while Easter is back at 8 seeing Guest moving to 6. Clegg replaces Botica on the bench.

15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care
1 Joe Marler, 2 Joe Gray, 3 James Johnston, 4 Charlie Matthews, 5 George Robson, 6 Tom Guest, 7 Chris Robshaw (C), 8 Nick Easter

16 Rob Buchanan, 17 Darryl Marfo, 18 Will Collier, 19 Peter Browne, 20 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Matt Hopper


Sale:
cueto back into the Sales strarting XV

15.Rob Miller, 14.Tom Brady, 13.Johnny Leota, 12.Sam Tuitupou, 11.Mark Cueto , 10.Danny Cipriani, 9.Dwayne Peel ,
1.Eifion Lewis-Roberts, 2.Joe Ward, 3.Vadim Cobilas, 4.Richie Gray, 5.Kearnan Myall, 6.James Gaskell , 7.David Seymour (capt.), 8.Richie Vernon

16.Tommy Taylor, 17.Alasdair Dickinson, 18.Henry Thomas, 19.Fraser McKenzie, 20.Mark Easter, 21.Will Cliff, 22.Nick Macleod, 23.Mark Jennings




London Wasps (1,1) v London Irish (0,0) – 15:00
Preview

Wasps:
Masi returns for Wasps in the centre, while Stephen Jones makes his AP debut. Lindsay, Haskell and Vunipola move to the bench with thomas, Palmer and Johnson starting. Launchberry moves to 6.

1 Tim Payne, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 3 Fabio Staibano, 4 Tom Palmer, 5 Marco Wentzel, 6 Joe Launchbury, 7 Jonathan Poff, 8 Ashley Johnson
9 Joe Simpson, 10 Stephen Jones ,11 Christian Wade ,12 Andrea Masi, 13 Elliot Daly, 14 Tom Varndell, 15 Hugo Southwell (c)

16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Simon McIntyre, , 18 Zak Taulafo, 19 James Haskell, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Charlie Davies, 22 Nick Robinson, 23 Tommy Bell


London Irish:

15. Tom Homer; 14. Topsy Ojo*13. Jonathan Joseph*; 12. Sailosi Tagicakibau*; 11. Marland Yarde 10. Steve Shingler; 9. Tomás O’Leary*; 1. Max Lahiff; 2. Scott Lawson*; 3. Leo Halavatau; 4. George Skivington; 5. Bryn Evans*; 6. Declan Danaher (Captain); 7. Ofisa Treviranus*; 8. Jon Fisher

16. Brian Blaney; 17. Halani Aulika*; 18. John Ryan; 19. Kieran Low; 20. Alex Gray; 21. Anthony Watson; 22. Shane Geraghty*; 23. Jack Moates



Saracens (5,4) v Leicester Tigers (5,5) – 15:30 SKY
Preview

Saracens Team News:
A fair few changes for Sarries - Carlos Nieto, Jackson Wray, Neil de Kock, Owen Farrell and James Short recalled to the starting line-up, with Petrus du Plessis, Will Fraser, Richard Wigglesworth, Charlie Hodgson and Chris Wyles switching to the replacement's bench.

15 Alex Goode,
14 Chris Ashton, 13 Joel Tomkins, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 James Short, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Neil de Kock,
1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Schalk Brits, 3 Carlos Nieto, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 5 Mouritz Botha, 6 Kelly Brown, 7 Jackson Wray, 8 Ernst Joubert

16 John Smit, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Alistair Hargreaves, 20 Will Fraser, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Charlie Hodgson, 23 Chris Wyles


Tigers Team News:
Tigers, bringing in Cole for Castro and Logo for Stanko. Final change on the bench sees Chuter replacing Hawkins.

15 Geordan Murphy (c), 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Manusamoa Tuilagi, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Vereniki Goneva, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Sam Harrison
1 Logovi'i Mulipola, 2 Tom Youngs, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Graham Kitchener, 5 Geoff Parling, 6 Steve Mafi, 7 Julian Salvi, 8 Thomas Waldrom

16 George Chuter, 17 Boris Stankovich, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Rob Andrew, 20 Jordan Crane, 21 Patrick Phibbs, 22 George Ford, 23 Matt Smiths swap prop




Sunday 16th September

London Welsh (0,0) v Exeter Chiefs (5,1) - 15:00
Preview

Exeter Chiefs:
Some reshuffling of the backs I understand.
15 Luke Arscott, 14 Ian Whitten, 13 Sireli Naqelevuki, 12 Phil Dollman, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Ignacio Mieres, 9 Will Chudley
1 Brett Sturgess, 2 Chris Whitehead, 3 Craig Mitchell, 4 Tom Hayes (capt), 5 James Hanks, 6 Tom Johnson, 7 James Scaysbrook, 8 Richard Baxter

16 Simon Alcott, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Carl Rimmer, 19 Aly Muldowney, 20 James Phillips, 21 Kevin Barrett, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Jack Nowell



London Welsh:
15. Tom Arscott, 14. Phil Mackenzie*, 13. Sonny Parker*, 12. Hudson Tonga’uiha*, 11. Nick Scott, 10. Gordon Ross*, 9. Tyson Keats,
1. Frank Montanella*, 2. Neil Briggs, 3. Paulica Ion*, 4 Jonathan Mills ©, 5. Matt Corker, 6. Daniel Browne, 7. Mike Denbee, 8. Ed Jackson.

16. Dan George, 17. Tom Bristow, 18. Arthur Joly, 19. Kirill Kulemin*, 20. Alfie To’oala*, 21. Jonah Holmes, 22. James Lewis, 23. Seb Jewell.

At least he can wake up every day knowing he isnt at London Irish.

London Welsh may have a fight on their hands to get relegated after all.

The season is still very young and I expect LI will do just enough over the international periods to stay up.

Anyone get to watch Wasps v LI?

If so how did the Welsh 10s get on? With Priestland and Biggar way off form and Hook perenially flakey, Wales could still use the Count or Shingler junior in the next season. And I for one wont mind if the Count brings his own zimmer frame!

Yesterday's game for Glaws proved this will be a transitional year. I'm sure a neutral would've been bored to tears by the dire rugby served up by both sides. As a Glaws supporter I can take some positives. Once again the scrum did well and Ben Morgan is really proving to be an excellent purchase. I won't go into the negatives otherwise this'll be a very long post. Let's just say there is a lot to work on!

Good to hear that Morgan went well for Glos yesterday HKC. How did the other young English lads go?

Meanwhile in Oxford...

LW are winning at half time

I don't understand the score on BBC . It doesn't add up

BBC are missing a penalty try, they really are hopeless

yappysnap wrote:Good to hear that Morgan went well for Glos yesterday HKC. How did the other young English lads go?

Hi yappy, none of the backs really shone. 36 had a poor game and Trinder gave away far too many penalties. May looked dangerous on the few occassions he got the ball, but was excellent in defence. In the pack Tom Savage had another great game as did Knight. Still lots of work to do though.

Welsh just beat Exeter. ASBO won't be happy...

As they climb up the table no doubt the rampant Welsh fans will start supporting more places in the HC for jeff clubs

PJHolybloke wrote:So this weeks Ugly Sisters award goes to any one of Saints, Saracens or Tigers, go on boys have a go and chuck it around a bit, be a maniac etc.

The Cinderella "you will go to the ball" award goes to either one of the Exiles, if LW can pick some points up tomorrow it belongs to LI... or maybe it will be awarded next week instead.

To be fair, Tigers were prevented from playing pretty rugby. As I said in another post before the match, Tigers were going to attack Sarries, Sarries were going to dig in and live off mistakes. And so it proved to be. Sarries sucked the life out of that game, although Tigers weren't entirely balmeless.

Its just a good job that Farrell missed all those kicks, I feel that Tigers would never have got back into the match had they gone over. Flood missing that drop goal was probably justice done, a draw was probably a fair result, for both teams.

Jimpy wrote:

PJHolybloke wrote:So this weeks Ugly Sisters award goes to any one of Saints, Saracens or Tigers, go on boys have a go and chuck it around a bit, be a maniac etc.

The Cinderella "you will go to the ball" award goes to either one of the Exiles, if LW can pick some points up tomorrow it belongs to LI... or maybe it will be awarded next week instead.

To be fair, Tigers were prevented from playing pretty rugby. As I said in another post before the match, Tigers were going to attack Sarries, Sarries were going to dig in and live off mistakes. And so it proved to be. Sarries sucked the life out of that game, although Tigers weren't entirely balmeless.

Its just a good job that Farrell missed all those kicks, I feel that Tigers would never have got back into the match had they gone over. Flood missing that drop goal was probably justice done, a draw was probably a fair result, for both teams.

Completely disagree Tigers were actually more negative in my opinion. Only Tuilagi and Goneva looked threatening. Both teams didn't do enough IMO.

Saracens didn't actually kick it that much.

If the handling wasn't so poor we might have seen some tries.

Would interesting to see the stats but I think we made more metres,breaks etc than Leicester.

Draw was probably the right result I agree. Going 6-0 down after 5 minutes with two stupid errors meant Saracens were always chasing which is never a good place to be.

When you make so many basic errors in place kicking and handling it's going to be tough.

beshocked wrote:

Jimpy wrote:

PJHolybloke wrote:So this weeks Ugly Sisters award goes to any one of Saints, Saracens or Tigers, go on boys have a go and chuck it around a bit, be a maniac etc.

The Cinderella "you will go to the ball" award goes to either one of the Exiles, if LW can pick some points up tomorrow it belongs to LI... or maybe it will be awarded next week instead.

To be fair, Tigers were prevented from playing pretty rugby. As I said in another post before the match, Tigers were going to attack Sarries, Sarries were going to dig in and live off mistakes. And so it proved to be. Sarries sucked the life out of that game, although Tigers weren't entirely balmeless.

Its just a good job that Farrell missed all those kicks, I feel that Tigers would never have got back into the match had they gone over. Flood missing that drop goal was probably justice done, a draw was probably a fair result, for both teams.

Completely disagree Tigers were actually more negative in my opinion. Only Tuilagi and Goneva looked threatening. Both teams didn't do enough IMO.

Saracens didn't actually kick it that much.

If the handling wasn't so poor we might have seen some tries.

Would interesting to see the stats but I think we made more metres,breaks etc than Leicester.

Draw was probably the right result I agree. Going 6-0 down after 5 minutes with two stupid errors meant Saracens were always chasing which is never a good place to be.

When you make so many basic errors in place kicking and handling it's going to be tough.

We'll agree to disagree. In any event, I think most people had Sarries down for the win (myself included). So, to come away with a share of the points, especially as it was a 'home' fixture for Sarries, will be considered a 'result' by most Tigers supporters. Interestingly, there were a couple of guys on here who predicted the draw - well done to them.

Yes you should see it as a result though am relieved that Tigers didn't do their customary stealing of the match at the death. With Flood moving into drop goal position I had that sinking feeling yet again.

Sarries should had really won that but the handling and place kicking (from Farrell) wasn't good enough. I was heartened by the set piece. Scrum was mixed but against probably the best scrummaging outfit in the AP it was going to be hard.

Just need to go to WR and pick up the win now. Not out of the question.

beshocked wrote:Yes you should see it as a result though am relieved that Tigers didn't do their customary stealing of the match at the death. With Flood moving into drop goal position I had that sinking feeling yet again.

Sarries should had really won that but the handling and place kicking (from Farrell) wasn't good enough. I was heartened by the set piece. Scrum was mixed but against probably the best scrummaging outfit in the AP it was going to be hard.

Just need to go to WR and pick up the win now. Not out of the question.

No it isn't but it will be a different prospect to that which it was last season. I'd expect Tigers to win comfortably there actually. But we will have to wait and see.

Jimpy wrote:

beshocked wrote:Yes you should see it as a result though am relieved that Tigers didn't do their customary stealing of the match at the death. With Flood moving into drop goal position I had that sinking feeling yet again.

Sarries should had really won that but the handling and place kicking (from Farrell) wasn't good enough. I was heartened by the set piece. Scrum was mixed but against probably the best scrummaging outfit in the AP it was going to be hard.

Just need to go to WR and pick up the win now. Not out of the question.

No it isn't but it will be a different prospect to that which it was last season. I'd expect Tigers to win comfortably there actually. But we will have to wait and see.

Of course it won't be as clear cut as last season. Expect Tigers to win comfortably? That's arrogant but unexpected from you.

beshocked wrote:

Jimpy wrote:

beshocked wrote:Yes you should see it as a result though am relieved that Tigers didn't do their customary stealing of the match at the death. With Flood moving into drop goal position I had that sinking feeling yet again.

Sarries should had really won that but the handling and place kicking (from Farrell) wasn't good enough. I was heartened by the set piece. Scrum was mixed but against probably the best scrummaging outfit in the AP it was going to be hard.

Just need to go to WR and pick up the win now. Not out of the question.

No it isn't but it will be a different prospect to that which it was last season. I'd expect Tigers to win comfortably there actually. But we will have to wait and see.

Of course it won't be as clear cut as last season. Expect Tigers to win comfortably? That's arrogant but unexpected from you.

I don't think its arrogant 'Shocked. Tigers typically increase momentum as the season progresses. This year there isn't a World Cup, and the injury list is mercifully shorter. The match on Saturday demonstrated that there isn't much between the two sides at the moment. Therefore, its reasonable to expect that on home turf and with increased momentum, Tigers can win - and fairly comfortably at that.

Jimpy there isn't much between the sides. That's my point. Home advantage means very little to Saracens. Surely you should know that.

Both teams will get better. I am saying that you cannot predict a comfortable win without knowing the variable factors.

When it comes closer to the time Leicester might well look like comfortable winners but to call it now - well that's just teeing yourself up for a fall.

Stephen Jones was good, kicked his goals and was good all round.
Shingler was pretty terrible. Kicked away aimless ball, no creativity and missed a kick or 2 at goal.

Great to hear Morgan played well. This Savage lad is startng to make a name for himself too?

beshocked wrote:Jimpy there isn't much between the sides. That's my point. Home advantage means very little to Saracens. Surely you should know that.

Both teams will get better. I am saying that you cannot predict a comfortable win without knowing the variable factors.

When it comes closer to the time Leicester might well look like comfortable winners but to call it now - well that's just teeing yourself up for a fall.

Well, to say that Saracens winning at Welford Rd isn't out of the question, whilst not as direct as claiming a win will be comfortable, is almost equally as dangerous then - no?

The Exe casualty list is beginning to be a bit of a worry:

Hoani Tui....Hamstring - 6-8 weeks
Hadyn Thomas...Hamstring - 4-5 weeks
Josh Tatupu....Broken Ankle - 3-4 months
Jason Shoemark....Calf - 2-3 weeks
Myles Dorrian....Broken Hand - 5-6 weeks
Tom Johnson....Ribs - 2-4 months
Craig Mitchell....Arm - 6-8 weeks

Feic

Blimey, what happened to Tom Johnson? Guessing it occured during the LW game?

Yes, half-way thru the second half

Budgie is still standing, we will go on!

Not all bad though, Quins have been pretty light on injuries and currently have three bp wins from three.

(I am of course jesting)

that is bad.

Irish list is pretty bad

Corbisiero
Garvey
Gibson
Hala'ufia
Geraghty
Humphreys
Ansbro
Allinson

Then we have people like Yanuyanutawa, Sa who are no-where to be found!

Let's hope we stay short on injuries Yappy. Namely at 5 and 10

stnick88 wrote:that is bad.

Irish list is pretty bad

Corbisiero
Garvey
Gibson
Hala'ufia
Geraghty
Humphreys
Ansbro
Allinson

Then we have people like Yanuyanutawa, Sa who are no-where to be found!

is there any news on Ansbro's recovery yet?

ChequeredJersey wrote:Let's hope we stay short on injuries Yappy. Namely at 5 and 10

Agreed. 1 and 3 are a worry as well when you look at the influence that they now have on our games.

ChequeredJersey wrote:Let's hope we stay short on injuries Yappy. Namely at 5 and 10

I think Bottica will be up to speed pretty quick CJ. I hope we make Evans a good enough Marque signing deal for him to stay and not swan off to the south of France.

I'm confident we will. Nev has refused all kinds of offers in the past and choose Quins

And COS will convince of the Club's long term ambitions

Exactly, I would be stunned and gutted if Nev did leave.

He loves London, is loved by the Quins fans and seems to have really bought in to the Quins mindset.

yappy, all that may be true, but Nev has to be thinking pension pot topping up time?

I'm surprised Bath haven't linked themselves to him yet, as they're linked to everyone else - maybe Nev was the player HERSH was talking about?!

Having won the Jeff, he may question whether he has anything else to prove? He'd be a truly massive loss to Quins and the Jeff as a whole if he did go.

There was a story in the Rugby Paper this weekend to the effect that, now they've won the Jeff, Quins are struggling to get all of their players re-signed under the existing salary cap. The story said that Johnston may go as a result. Perhaps this will affect Evans as well.

mawhis wrote:There was a story in the Rugby Paper this weekend to the effect that, now they've won the Jeff, Quins are struggling to get all of their players re-signed under the existing salary cap. The story said that Johnston may go as a result. Perhaps this will affect Evans as well.

You got a link Mawhis? Could be an interesting read as a Quins fan.

I know Evans people are in talks, but then again he knows he'll never wear an AB jersey again, and he's into his 30's now so needs to make as much as he can to look after himself. I think most Quins supporters appreciate that, and i think some French clubs are going to throw money at him after his consistently awesome displays. It would a shame to lose him, but thems the bones sometimes, i think most people would wish him well if he were to move on

Wouldnt Evans be their Marquee player? I dont know if it would so much be the cap that stops them keeping hold of hjim as the actual maximum amount they could reasonably afford to pay him

AlastairW wrote:

mawhis wrote:There was a story in the Rugby Paper this weekend to the effect that, now they've won the Jeff, Quins are struggling to get all of their players re-signed under the existing salary cap. The story said that Johnston may go as a result. Perhaps this will affect Evans as well.

You got a link Mawhis? Could be an interesting read as a Quins fan.

sorry, can't find it online. The issue is still available, but the piece doesn't really say anymore than I've said above. Its part of their roundup of transfer gossip and basically says that, after winning the title, Quins have had to reward some players with big new long-term contracts. Johnston is apparently getting interest from france, so quins might not be able to afford him.

Presumably this is why we aren't signing anybody. Hope it pays off. Shame to lose JJ or Nev but if they did go I'd wish them the best

HongKongCherry wrote:I'm surprised Bath haven't linked themselves to him yet, as they're linked to everyone else - maybe Nev was the player HERSH was talking about?!

Having won the Jeff, he may question whether he has anything else to prove? He'd be a truly massive loss to Quins and the Jeff as a whole if he did go.

HKC why would Nick Evans think he's done enough with one AP title? Surely he would want to win the HC?

Well he may think that his best chance of winning a HC would be at another top Club?

By the looks of things he's going to have to go to a non-English Club just to compete in the HEC!

I think most of our players are already resigned. I know most were topped up for another season or two well before we won (planned beforehand by the management?)

It would be a shame if Nev did go, but Botica is a talent and there's always Clegg as well

Who am I kidding i'd weep like a girl if he left!!

Don't go Nev!!!!!!!!!!

As to whether we can afford our new contracts, these are the players who we'll need to pay for post Prem win:

Chris Brooker (2013)
Nick Mayhew (2013)
James Johnston (2013)
Ollie Kohn (2013)
Peter Browne (2013)
Will Skinner (2013)
Tom Guest (2013)
Rory Clegg (2013)
Nick Evans (2013)
Jordan Turner-Hall (2013)
Tom Casson (2013)
Matt Hopper(2013)
Tom Williams (2013)
Seb Stegmann (2013)
Mike Brown (2013)

Looking at that list (from Quins boards so not sure on accuracy!) I can see a few players missing out on contracts potentially Casson, Williams, Stegmann, Clegg and Browne.

If you choose to operate around the cap, sadly success often means you have to let players you developed go.

In recent years Tigers chose to let players such as Moody, Vesty, Hipkiss, Twelvetrees go to ensure they could keep players like Cole, Youngs and Ford who were all receiving offers from other clubs.


Of course if you do noy operate around the cap (or find creative ways to ignore it) success is hard to come by.

It is a balancing game - but the way finances are one we all have to do.

beshocked wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:I'm surprised Bath haven't linked themselves to him yet, as they're linked to everyone else - maybe Nev was the player HERSH was talking about?!

Having won the Jeff, he may question whether he has anything else to prove? He'd be a truly massive loss to Quins and the Jeff as a whole if he did go.

HKC why would Nick Evans think he's done enough with one AP title? Surely he would want to win the HC?

As good as Quins are, I can't see an English side winning the HC at the moment. But Evans doesn't strike me as a trophy hunter, otherwise he'd have stayed in NZ.

He may not be a trophy hunter, but he has one contract left in him and a duty to his family.