Croft retires

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biffer
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Re: Croft retires

Post by biffer »

I always thought he was a player unlucky to be playing in the era he did. If he'd been in the amateur days he would have been a truly exceptional back row forward, world class in every way, if he was coming through now he'd be a world class centre. Good luck to him.
Roly
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Re: Croft retires

Post by Roly »

biffer wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:44 am I always thought he was a player unlucky to be playing in the era he did. If he'd been in the amateur days he would have been a truly exceptional back row forward, world class in every way, if he was coming through now he'd be a world class centre. Good luck to him.
Hey, there's a thought - perhaps Tigers should re-sign him as a centre, he's no less crook then the two first choice centres they have at the moment? :smt016
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biffer
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Re: Croft retires

Post by biffer »

Roly wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:53 am
biffer wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:44 am I always thought he was a player unlucky to be playing in the era he did. If he'd been in the amateur days he would have been a truly exceptional back row forward, world class in every way, if he was coming through now he'd be a world class centre. Good luck to him.
Hey, there's a thought - perhaps Tigers should re-sign him as a centre, he's no less crook then the two first choice centres they have at the moment? :smt016
So long as he visits a witch doctor first that should be fine.
Robespierre
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Re: Croft retires

Post by Robespierre »

biffer wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:44 am I always thought he was a player unlucky to be playing in the era he did. If he'd been in the amateur days he would have been a truly exceptional back row forward, world class in every way, if he was coming through now he'd be a world class centre. Good luck to him.
Aren't most of us agreed - with the exception of you know who, that he was exceptional?
Why do you say he was unlucky to be playing when he did? Loads of caps for England, two Lions tours and one of Tigers' finest seems to say he did alright.
Could he have played centre? Why not, although at 6'5 or 6, he was tailor made for wing forward.
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Roly
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Re: Croft retires

Post by Roly »

Robespierre wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 11:15 am
biffer wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:44 am I always thought he was a player unlucky to be playing in the era he did. If he'd been in the amateur days he would have been a truly exceptional back row forward, world class in every way, if he was coming through now he'd be a world class centre. Good luck to him.
Aren't most of us agreed - with the exception of you know who, that he was exceptional?
Why do you say he was unlucky to be playing when he did? Loads of caps for England, two Lions tours and one of Tigers' finest seems to say he did alright.
Could he have played centre? Why not, although at 6'5 or 6, he was tailor made for wing forward.
Its all about what your definition of exceptional is....

Personally, I don't think he was - but I do think he was a very good player (you'll have to forgive me, my memory is only so long) and Tigers were lucky to have him. Sorry to see that he has decided to retire.

Its like the definition of 'developmental', your definition might differ from mine, except I'd be right.
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mol2
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Re: Croft retires

Post by mol2 »

Fastest back row player I’ve seen.
Achieved a lot considering the series of major injuries he suffered.

A wing forward in the old sense and a quality line out jumper. Perhaps enevitable that his body would eventually call time on him in an era where back rows are more 6/8 brick outhouses.
biffer
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Re: Croft retires

Post by biffer »

Robespierre wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 11:15 am
biffer wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:44 am I always thought he was a player unlucky to be playing in the era he did. If he'd been in the amateur days he would have been a truly exceptional back row forward, world class in every way, if he was coming through now he'd be a world class centre. Good luck to him.
Aren't most of us agreed - with the exception of you know who, that he was exceptional?
Why do you say he was unlucky to be playing when he did? Loads of caps for England, two Lions tours and one of Tigers' finest seems to say he did alright.
Could he have played centre? Why not, although at 6'5 or 6, he was tailor made for wing forward.
I think as Mol says, it's because his style is the classic wing forward, which isn't quite the same thing as what's desired in the modern game. He was the style of back row you expected to turn up amongst the outside backs and create the extra man (and extra panic) rather than doing the dirty stuff at every breakdown, which is what's expected of a Robshaw type.

He only played 4 times for England after 2012, so that's only 4 times after the age of 27, which is when a back row should be at his peak. That was due to injury obviously, but in the same way there's what most people think of skill and talent (good hands, speed, etc) some of which can be coached but a lot of which is down to natural endowment, durability is something that con only be coached to a certain extent; there are people who are more naturally resistant to injury than others imo. But that's an aside, I just feel that if he was 17/18 right now, he would get coached into the backs and do the fourth back rower from the backs role, rather than the extra back from the forwards.

Don't get me wrong, I'd rather watch Croft in the back row than Robshaw any day of the week, it's just a comment on the modern game.
Scott11
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Re: Croft retires

Post by Scott11 »

And to be a tad more controversial, imagine if Crofty hadve been a Kiwi with his skillset and their coaching! He could've been the original Kieron Read!
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Re: Croft retires

Post by Nailsworthstiger »

I remember that tackle he made at The Stoop. Everyone could see it was serious at the time but very sad to think it was the beginning of the end for what I have always thought was a genuine great player.

It is also no surprise that since that day we haven't been quite the same as a team either. Coincidence or not?

Happy retirement TC, but we need you to put something back into our line out. Surely there must be a job there for you.
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Re: Croft retires

Post by POSTIGER »

Might he fill the vacancy left by Richard Blaze do we think? Not sure he's a lineout guru though as obviously he was predominantly a back row forward.

I've probably answered my own question there actually! :smt001
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Nailsworthstiger
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Re: Croft retires

Post by Nailsworthstiger »

Maybe so, but he was always good at catching the ball when it came to him!

I also think we should all give him around of applause on Sunday
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Re: Croft retires

Post by strawclearer »

Nailsworthstiger wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 6:09 pm Maybe so, but he was always good at catching the ball when it came to him!

I also think we should all give him around of applause on Sunday
I'd heard the club had decided not to do anything this weekend so - maybe the Worcs match?
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mol2
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Re: Croft retires

Post by mol2 »

POSTIGER wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 6:06 pm Might he fill the vacancy left by Richard Blaze do we think? Not sure he's a lineout guru though as obviously he was predominantly a back row forward.

I've probably answered my own question there actually! :smt001
Yes he was a good line out jumper.

That qualifies him no more as a coach than my abilities drinking ale make me a brewer.
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Re: Croft retires

Post by G.K »

Great player, I allways rated hime highly, a real Tigers legend. So thanks toTom and all the best for the future. :smt023
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Re: Croft retires

Post by L Smith »

In his pomp, he was a joy to watch. Tom made a massive contribution to this club and, before anyone else has the temerity to look negatively upon his injury record, this is a player who effectively destroyed his body, playing for us.
In my book, he is a nailed-on legend.
Thanks for the memories, Tom and enjoy the next chapter.
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