Tigers Vs Gloucester

[drc_007]

Kalamafoni will carry the ball but I always knew he wasn't going to break the gainline big time for us, Hamilton is very good but not a gainline breaker so it's Mapapalangi for me at 8

Kalamafoni would be better played at 6.

[RagingBull]

Kalamafoni will carry the ball but I always knew he wasn't going to break the gainline big time for us, Hamilton is very good but not a gainline breaker so it's Mapapalangi for me at 8

I know size isn't everything but, in the squad thread, you mention Nathan Hughes - tongue in cheek, no doubt! However, although only 1" taller, Hughes is over 2 stone heavier than Mapapalangi. A telling difference when it comes to breaking lines.

Not so much IMO once you get into the late 17 stones its more about leg drive.

Heaslip, Faletau and Read are 17 stone 5 and can break gain lines.

[Leicestertinytiger]

I think some people are being a bit harsh on Kalamafoni. He hardly played last year so it's going to take time for him to get up to speed. I think if Williams and Hamilton started alongside him it would take some of the pressure and markers off him. Every time he got the ball he went forwards with at least 2 tacklers on him in the tight.

[westwinds31]

Pin this on the changing room wall, read and then play

http://www.rugb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6295

[TigerCam]

Given the past 2 performances it could be 0 for 3?

[mightymouse]

Why is Bateman not considered at hooker anymore. Powerful scrummager, better ball carrier than TY and throwing in was fine when I last saw it.

[Scott11]

Ryan struggling with a head knock. If BOC is out too I would resist the temptation of starting Evans now Kvesic has gone and go with a more powerful back row of Hamilton,Williams and Kalamofoni with Wells replacing Kitchener. Mapapalangi and Croft on the bench.

[Chobbsy]

So two games down and two losses.

Not the best start we could have hoped for but we need to be patient. Saints away is always a game I expect to be difficult and a potential loss.

So from the first two games here is my team for Gloucester.

1. Genge - continues to scrum well and always a threat.
2. Thacker - Line out is better at present and needs to start. This is no disrespect to Youngs as I thinks he is a great player and a brilliant man.
3. Cole - solid and no better option
4. Williams - needs to start somewhere. We are missing something in the engine room and his abrasiveness needs to be on the field from the beginning. Big ball carrier who goes over the gain line as he runs from depth.
5. Barrow - would be Fitzgerald if fit but he to me is performing better than Kitchener at the moment.
6. Croft - if fit then he is a threat and brings a shed load of experience
7. O'Connor - one of the few shining lights
8. Kalamafoni - starting to carry well
9. Youngs - partnership starting to build, don't break it now
10. Ford - as above
11. May - playing well and workload is good
12. Tomua - looking solid but needs someone outside that can play off of him
13. Owen - needs to be someone who can interplay with Tomua
14. Tait - I known just said Tait but he gives another option under the high ball barrage I expect us to face
15. Veainu - no one near him at the moment but needs to use his boot a little more as player just expect him to run it back. Keep them honest

16. Youngs
17. Bateman
18. Mulipola
19 Kitchener
20. Hamilton
21. Harrison
22. Ford
23. Malouf

Just a thought, can Kalamafoni play second row? In the absence of Fitzgerald he would add some grit and enforcement that is missing. I would also like to see what Mapapalangi has to offer (if fit)

[Tiger93]

don't quite get what people are going for on here when mentioning our lack of power then advocating to bring in both Croft and Evans at 6 & 7?

[Tiger93]

1. Genge - Strong Set-piece and outstanding in the loose -slowly becoming our best player
2. Bateman -Get him back at Hooker and dominate the set-piece. Id have Mcguigan here if fit.
3. Cole -Rock
4. Williams -Much needed power
5. Barrow -Enforcer, time to step up.
6. Kalamafoni - Meat in the back row
7. Hamilton -Always a 10 for effort, brings grunt.
8. Mapalangi -Like the look of him. Give him a chance
9.Youngs -With competitive pack, will improve
10. Ford -see above
11. May -see above + outstanding work rate an finisher
12. Toomua - Hopefully spends less time in the tackle and at rucks
13. Owen -Still physical but has good hands
14. Veainu -back on the wing fella. Set him free
15. Tait -Solid
16. Thacker -always makes an impact. Still don't like him alongside Cole in the scrum though, too big a size difference.
17. Mulipola -Can play both sides well
18. Cilliers -as above
19. Wells -more physical than Kitchener
20. Croft -Line out expertise
21. Harrison -2nd best 9
22. J Ford -2nd 10
23. Malouf -wing/centre cover

[BFG]

1. Genge - Strong Set-piece and outstanding in the loose -slowly becoming our best player
2. Bateman -Get him back at Hooker and dominate the set-piece. Id have Mcguigan here if fit.
3. Cole -Rock
4. Williams -Much needed power
5. Barrow -Enforcer, time to step up.
6. Kalamafoni - Meat in the back row
7. Hamilton -Always a 10 for effort, brings grunt.
8. Mapalangi -Like the look of him. Give him a chance
9.Youngs -With competitive pack, will improve
10. Ford -see above
11. May -see above + outstanding work rate an finisher
12. Toomua - Hopefully spends less time in the tackle and at rucks
13. Owen -Still physical but has good hands
14. Veainu -back on the wing fella. Set him free
15. Tait -Solid
16. Thacker -always makes an impact. Still don't like him alongside Cole in the scrum though, too big a size difference.
17. Mulipola -Can play both sides well
18. Cilliers -as above
19. Wells -more physical than Kitchener
20. Croft -Line out expertise
21. Harrison -2nd best 9
22. J Ford -2nd 10
23. Malouf -wing/centre cover

That is not a bad shout.
I was in two minds as to drop the 9/10 and remind them they are not automatically gods gifts or give them another chance at WR, I went for the former, probably displeasure at the poor performance on Saturday influenced me.
I found it quite sad seeing Bateman on Saturday, he looked such a good squad signing when he first came but looked out of sorts sowewhat, they have changed him for the worse, I hate to say it but he looked over coached and over fed but I'd definitely get him back in at hooker if he can still do it to the level required that is.

[Chobbsy]

I think some people are being a bit harsh on Kalamafoni. He hardly played last year so it's going to take time for him to get up to speed. I think if Williams and Hamilton started alongside him it would take some of the pressure and markers off him. Every time he got the ball he went forwards with at least 2 tacklers on him in the tight.

I fully agree I don't believe he has done anything wrong and what he needs is another big back up his back side when he goes forward

[Tigerbeat]

Craig Maxwell-Keys will take charge of Leicester Tigers’ clash with Gloucester Rugby at Welford Road this Saturday.

Maxwell-Keys will referee his 37th Aviva Premiership fixture. He will be assisted by Nigel Carrick and John Meredith, while Sean Davey is the television match official.

[Chobbsy]

Sean Davey !!!!!
Lets hope we don't have to go to him for any decisions after his performance in the Exeter / Gloucester match

[Scott11]

2 pieces of bad news,BOC out and CMK reffing! With Gloc less of a breakdown fret without Kvesic I would be tempted to play Hamilton at 7 or even Croft who has played well there a few times for us. Thoughts?