Tigers vs Saints - Fri 11th Feb 22 at 1945

[OakhamTiger32]

Agreed. It’s a pretty strong Saints’ side but we have a very good side out too.
Saints won’t need any firing up as rightly said.
I, like many fans, was at Franklin’s and Ford and Youngs were in great Form backed up by Weise, Staden( until half time) and most of the pack then Kini and JVP came on and played superbly. On the day we had the rub of the green but we also varied the game we played.
Saints will score tries against us and they have, I think, won 4 out of the last 5 games at our ground.
Play like we did v Sale, Worcester and Wasps and we will get beaten.
Players will know this is a massive derby but even more so especially as it’s Sarries v Quins and Exeter v Gloucester.
Hoping we, the Tigers’ fans get behind the team for the whole match.

I agree, Saints will be keen to win this, they don't have anyone out, I think, we have quite a few including Ford, Youngs and Genge and I think Saints should have scored at least 2, if not 3 more tries last time, if their players had passed the ball out instead of being white line crazy. We also scored an interception and also a charge down tries to flatter our score near the end. We must keep ball away from Skosan, hope that's not Ashton's job. I think will just prevail, tight one this!

Saints without Biggar, Lawes, Freeman, Ludlam, Moon, Naiyaravoro to name but a few

[sam16111986]

If Saumaki could only tackle like he attacks he would be a definate starter. I suspect that is the only reason Borthwick has been careful with the games he played in.

I suspect he's considered as a bit of a project player. He's an awesome finisher, no one that big should be so quick ball in hand. If anything we need to find more opportunities to put the ball into his hands.

I guess the kick chase game and positioning was a bit looser over in Japan so those areas of his game aren't as sharp. He's improving but it'll obviously take a while to catch up with Nadolo and Kini who have played in some stellar teams. I reckon Sinfield will sort him out.

According to the Tigers' team page, he is going to be 30 next month, so he is no spring chicken, and I think a little old for a project. I agree though, if he can polish up certain areas, with his finishing, he could be a really useful player. As a winger, he is IMHO past his prime in terms of age. The question is, therefore, how quickly can he improve before he loses his speed etc?!

Speed isn't necessarily lost through age it's often to an accumulation of injuries. Johnny May for instance is still absolutely rapid despite playing in a physically attritional league and international rugby for about a decade. Saumaki has been playing in Japan for an extended period, a league which has been noted to be less physically demanding and more high tempo and I don't believe he's had any nasty injuries. As such there's no reason he can't play for another five years and adapt to this league this season before becoming an increasing force next season.

[TigerFeetSteve]

When was the last time a Tigers 23 had two former saints players in it for the East Midlands derby?

[HandOfBack]

When was the last time a Tigers 23 had two former saints players in it for the East Midlands derby?

3 if I am not mistaken?
Ashton
Van Wyk
Clare?

[TigerFeetSteve]

When was the last time a Tigers 23 had two former saints players in it for the East Midlands derby?

3 if I am not mistaken?
Ashton
Van Wyk
Clare?

True, I'd forgotten about Clare's past...

[Pellsey]

I suspect he's considered as a bit of a project player. He's an awesome finisher, no one that big should be so quick ball in hand. If anything we need to find more opportunities to put the ball into his hands.

I guess the kick chase game and positioning was a bit looser over in Japan so those areas of his game aren't as sharp. He's improving but it'll obviously take a while to catch up with Nadolo and Kini who have played in some stellar teams. I reckon Sinfield will sort him out.

According to the Tigers' team page, he is going to be 30 next month, so he is no spring chicken, and I think a little old for a project. I agree though, if he can polish up certain areas, with his finishing, he could be a really useful player. As a winger, he is IMHO past his prime in terms of age. The question is, therefore, how quickly can he improve before he loses his speed etc?!

Speed isn't necessarily lost through age it's often to an accumulation of injuries. Johnny May for instance is still absolutely rapid despite playing in a physically attritional league and international rugby for about a decade. Saumaki has been playing in Japan for an extended period, a league which has been noted to be less physically demanding and more high tempo and I don't believe he's had any nasty injuries. As such there's no reason he can't play for another five years and adapt to this league this season before becoming an increasing force next season.

That is a good point, Sam. Thanks!

Let's hope he improves fast and can play for a few more years!

[Tiglon]

According to the Tigers' team page, he is going to be 30 next month, so he is no spring chicken, and I think a little old for a project. I agree though, if he can polish up certain areas, with his finishing, he could be a really useful player. As a winger, he is IMHO past his prime in terms of age. The question is, therefore, how quickly can he improve before he loses his speed etc?!

Speed isn't necessarily lost through age it's often to an accumulation of injuries. Johnny May for instance is still absolutely rapid despite playing in a physically attritional league and international rugby for about a decade. Saumaki has been playing in Japan for an extended period, a league which has been noted to be less physically demanding and more high tempo and I don't believe he's had any nasty injuries. As such there's no reason he can't play for another five years and adapt to this league this season before becoming an increasing force next season.

That is a good point, Sam. Thanks!

Let's hope he improves fast and can play for a few more years!

Hopefully another late bloomer like Goneva - didn't he come to us aged about 28, having never played top flight rugby before? Went on well into his 30's, probably helped by not having smashed his body to bits all through his 20's.

[teds]

When was the last time a Tigers 23 had two former saints players in it for the East Midlands derby?

Sorry missing something, when was the last time we had a saints player?

[Scott1]

Speed isn't necessarily lost through age it's often to an accumulation of injuries. Johnny May for instance is still absolutely rapid despite playing in a physically attritional league and international rugby for about a decade. Saumaki has been playing in Japan for an extended period, a league which has been noted to be less physically demanding and more high tempo and I don't believe he's had any nasty injuries. As such there's no reason he can't play for another five years and adapt to this league this season before becoming an increasing force next season.

That is a good point, Sam. Thanks!

Let's hope he improves fast and can play for a few more years!

Hopefully another late bloomer like Goneva - didn't he come to us aged about 28, having never played top flight rugby before? Went on well into his 30's, probably helped by not having smashed his body to bits all through his 20's.

Goneva started playing 7s in 2007 and then Union in the Championship for Rotherham around the same time.

[TigerFeetSteve]

When was the last time a Tigers 23 had two former saints players in it for the East Midlands derby?

Sorry missing something, when was the last time we had a saints player?

Clare (who I forgot had been a Saints player), Van Wyk & Ashton are all in our match 23, all of whom have represented Saints in the past. Not too many players have represented both clubs, so I think having 3 of them in one match squad is probably quite rare.

[Noggs]

Just need to remember who they play for now

[Flash]

Just need to remember who they play for now

They've seen the light

[Noggs]

Haven't we all

[LE18]

Agreed. It’s a pretty strong Saints’ side but we have a very good side out too.
Saints won’t need any firing up as rightly said.
I, like many fans, was at Franklin’s and Ford and Youngs were in great Form backed up by Weise, Staden( until half time) and most of the pack then Kini and JVP came on and played superbly. On the day we had the rub of the green but we also varied the game we played.
Saints will score tries against us and they have, I think, won 4 out of the last 5 games at our ground.
Play like we did v Sale, Worcester and Wasps and we will get beaten.
Players will know this is a massive derby but even more so especially as it’s Sarries v Quins and Exeter v Gloucester.
Hoping we, the Tigers’ fans get behind the team for the whole match.

I agree, Saints will be keen to win this, they don't have anyone out, I think, we have quite a few including Ford, Youngs and Genge and I think Saints should have scored at least 2, if not 3 more tries last time, if their players had passed the ball out instead of being white line crazy. We also scored an interception and also a charge down tries to flatter our score near the end. We must keep ball away from Skosan, hope that's not Ashton's job. I think will just prevail, tight one this!

Saints without Biggar, Lawes, Freeman, Ludlam, Moon, Naiyaravoro to name but a few

Oops, I had forgotten all of those, old age doesn't help.

[OakhamTiger32]

Interesting to see how Ashton goes tonight.. hope he integrates well with the side and isn’t looking for personal glory.. imagine SB and KS will get the best out of him