Aaron Mauger and Daryl Gibson

[jonlin]

Both tremendous 12s for us, a pleasure to see.

Unfortunately in Mauger's case the popular view in this forum was that he didn't do anything and didn't look bothered. Those of us with basic rugby knowledge though could see his intelligent play and the way he created space for the man on his shoulder to exploit. I wonder whether this will get brought up again if he is appointed.

Agree entirely - I once spent 5 mins explaining to another Crumbie dweller exactly how Mauger had manipulated a try-scoring opening, and got a blank look plus 'I don't see that' expressions. He was superb at dragging defences all over the place.

Agree with both of these comments, the man was that good he turned Sam Vesty a Tigers utility back into a international fly half.

[MJB]

It seems that having just one Gibson on the books is enough to confuse Bleddyn, never mind two - during yesterday's commentary he said that Daryl Gibson had charged down a conversion attempt in our recent match against Ulster!

Seriously though, I think either Mauger or D Gibson would be an excellent signing for us.

[Iain]

If only Leicester had agree with Gibson to become a player coach instead of letting Lofferda come in. Oh well hindsight is a brilliant thing.

Amen to that. I don't know who was more disappointed, Gibson or the fans. His attitude was everything a Tiger should be. That said either one would be a great signing for us giving us a tremendous back room, so lang as they're allowed to get on with it in their own style.

I don't get the "instead of getting Loffreda in" bit. Are we suggesting that Gibson, who left before Loffreda arrived, should have been appointed Head Coach? With no experience at that stage and only 32? Really?

Loffreda was the wrong man for the job but lets not COMPLETELY re-write history.

[sam16111986]

Loffreda should have been a good fit. His style of rugby on the pitch looked like it would be compatible with what we had and how we were playing. He had international experience as well. It just turned out to be a serious error.

[jgriffin]

Loffreda should have been a good fit. His style of rugby on the pitch looked like it would be compatible with what we had and how we were playing. He had international experience as well. It just turned out to be a serious error.

IMO the Loffreda debacle was six of one - a coach not up to the job, but also a cynical hatchet job by some players/coaches with their own agendas. Tigers then go for Meyer who had a vision for Tigers largely incompatible with our past. I have not been surprised since then by Tigers sticking with their own.

[RagingBull]

If only Leicester had agree with Gibson to become a player coach instead of letting Lofferda come in. Oh well hindsight is a brilliant thing.

Amen to that. I don't know who was more disappointed, Gibson or the fans. His attitude was everything a Tiger should be. That said either one would be a great signing for us giving us a tremendous back room, so lang as they're allowed to get on with it in their own style.

I don't get the "instead of getting Loffreda in" bit. Are we suggesting that Gibson, who left before Loffreda arrived, should have been appointed Head Coach? With no experience at that stage and only 32? Really?

Loffreda was the wrong man for the job but lets not COMPLETELY re-write history.

True but Loffreda was the one that turned him down as he didn't want a specialist backs coach as he wanted to be the backs coach and Head coach.

So Another HC would prob have been likely to have brought Gibson straight into it as backs coach (esp as that player is respected by the supporters and players of the club and was obviously clued up in attacking backs rugby) Maybe the Loffreda might have been different if he had put Gibson in the fold from the off. (who knows)

[RWA]

I agree that either would be superb. The general consensus seems to be that Murphy is either good enough to continue with or that he's proved himself thus far, neither of which is clear to me. Burke has gone, which would indicate that he was the "problem". But because Murphy was a genius as a player then he should be able to transfer that onto the training field and ultimately onto the field of play ? It's going to be interesting whoever comes in.

[RagingBull]

I agree that either would be superb. The general consensus seems to be that Murphy is either good enough to continue with or that he's proved himself thus far, neither of which is clear to me. Burke has gone, which would indicate that he was the "problem". But because Murphy was a genius as a player then he should be able to transfer that onto the training field and ultimately onto the field of play ? It's going to be interesting whoever comes in.

To give Murphy credit him and Mauger were recognised as the reason our backs played so well in the 2009 season, before Matt O'Connor came in.

[LE18]

I seem to remember that Tigers had an interest in signing Hernandez, wasn't Loffreda supposed to be the carrot?

[wormus]

I seem to remember that Tigers had an interest in signing Hernandez, wasn't Loffreda supposed to be the carrot?

Well certainly Loffreda was a vegetable and not a Tiger ! and as for Hernandez another non event.
Out of the two I preferred Daryl as a player & warm to the fans on the terrace.

[RagingBull]

I seem to remember that Tigers had an interest in signing Hernandez, wasn't Loffreda supposed to be the carrot?

Pretty sure Stade did a u turn at the last minute (the club was ready to announce it Hernandez was happy coming here) and We missed out on Evans as well because of it Although we got Flood Evans would prob have been better for us imo.

FYI I am a big Flood fan.

[mol2]

I think hindsight has given a rosy glow over Mauger's time with us - as I recall he spent most of his time injured.

Gibson has gone away and got sound experience as a coach.
I would consider that Mauger has yet to do that and a club like Tigers is not the place to bring in a coach and expect him to learn on the job. (He left us to try and get into the All Blacks 2011 world cup squad.)

Being a good player is not a qualification for being a good coach. It may help you earn the respect of your charges but the skills set is different.

[Rykard]

I think hindsight has given a rosy glow over Mauger's time with us - as I recall he spent most of his time injured.

Gibson has gone away and got sound experience as a coach.
I would consider that Mauger has yet to do that and a club like Tigers is not the place to bring in a coach and expect him to learn on the job. (He left us to try and get into the All Blacks 2011 world cup squad.)

Being a good player is not a qualification for being a good coach. It may help you earn the respect of your charges but the skills set is different.

I thought Mauger spent a lot of time coaching us when he was injured?

[kornboy130]

I think hindsight has given a rosy glow over Mauger's time with us - as I recall he spent most of his time injured.

Gibson has gone away and got sound experience as a coach.
I would consider that Mauger has yet to do that and a club like Tigers is not the place to bring in a coach and expect him to learn on the job. (He left us to try and get into the All Blacks 2011 world cup squad.)

Being a good player is not a qualification for being a good coach. It may help you earn the respect of your charges but the skills set is different.

Think there's some gaps in your version there - Mauger stated he wanted to play in the 2011 world cup but instead was forced to retire due to a persistent back injury - he did not play for anyone professionally after his time at Tigers.

He then went straight in to coaching at High School level, before moving on to become Professional Development Manager with Canterbury (NPC Side). Following this he moved in to a role as Canterbury's attach coach and then on to the Canterbury Crusaders Assisstant Coach (Backs).

Considering his supposed work with the team when he was a player - his experience aged 33 really is good and we could hopefully offer him a promotion from assistant backs coach to head backs coach - plus he seemed to speak fondly of the club during his time here. We'll have to see how this develops - Whilst Gibson would be my preferred option the timing may not be right and I really would be chuffed with Mauger.

[Chobbsy]

Both tremendous 12s for us, a pleasure to see.

Unfortunately in Mauger's case the popular view in this forum was that he didn't do anything and didn't look bothered. Those of us with basic rugby knowledge though could see his intelligent play and the way he created space for the man on his shoulder to exploit. I wonder whether this will get brought up again if he is appointed.

Not to mention his defence