Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
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Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
We massively missed Veainu this year through injury, I genuinely believe he is world class at FB. We have lacked clarity in the game plan (assuming there was one) and the 2nd row and back row have been light due to injury and lack of depth. I'm very excited about some of the signings, particularly Lavanini and Taufua - those two are game changers and seeing Lavanini and Spencer line up together in the engine room is a pretty tasty prospect!
Although TPN seems like a great chap I wish we had kept Thacker - some might say that hindsight is a wonderful thing but there were a large number of us who could see his success at Bristol coming. Especially when OTY was out I would rather have had him and Kerr to choose from, although with Kerr kicking on well I see that as less of a problem next season.
For me though, the biggest loss that undoubtedly made all of the difference between us getting a home semifinal and finishing in 11th is the absence for large parts of Bateman. He's so good in every position on the pitch that if he was born in Auckland he would be picked ahead of any of the current crop of All Blacks in all of their respective positions. The footwork, the athleticism and the majestic demeanour make him the epitome of the modern all round rugby player.
Although TPN seems like a great chap I wish we had kept Thacker - some might say that hindsight is a wonderful thing but there were a large number of us who could see his success at Bristol coming. Especially when OTY was out I would rather have had him and Kerr to choose from, although with Kerr kicking on well I see that as less of a problem next season.
For me though, the biggest loss that undoubtedly made all of the difference between us getting a home semifinal and finishing in 11th is the absence for large parts of Bateman. He's so good in every position on the pitch that if he was born in Auckland he would be picked ahead of any of the current crop of All Blacks in all of their respective positions. The footwork, the athleticism and the majestic demeanour make him the epitome of the modern all round rugby player.
Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
Agreed in spades........but are you Bateman in disguise?Brutus wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2019 12:54 pm We massively missed Veainu this year through injury, I genuinely believe he is world class at FB. We have lacked clarity in the game plan (assuming there was one) and the 2nd row and back row have been light due to injury and lack of depth. I'm very excited about some of the signings, particularly Lavanini and Taufua - those two are game changers and seeing Lavanini and Spencer line up together in the engine room is a pretty tasty prospect!
Although TPN seems like a great chap I wish we had kept Thacker - some might say that hindsight is a wonderful thing but there were a large number of us who could see his success at Bristol coming. Especially when OTY was out I would rather have had him and Kerr to choose from, although with Kerr kicking on well I see that as less of a problem next season.
For me though, the biggest loss that undoubtedly made all of the difference between us getting a home semifinal and finishing in 11th is the absence for large parts of Bateman. He's so good in every position on the pitch that if he was born in Auckland he would be picked ahead of any of the current crop of All Blacks in all of their respective positions. The footwork, the athleticism and the majestic demeanour make him the epitome of the modern all round rugby player.
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Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
No, just a fanBig Dai wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2019 1:04 pmAgreed in spades........but are you Bateman in disguise?Brutus wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2019 12:54 pm We massively missed Veainu this year through injury, I genuinely believe he is world class at FB. We have lacked clarity in the game plan (assuming there was one) and the 2nd row and back row have been light due to injury and lack of depth. I'm very excited about some of the signings, particularly Lavanini and Taufua - those two are game changers and seeing Lavanini and Spencer line up together in the engine room is a pretty tasty prospect!
Although TPN seems like a great chap I wish we had kept Thacker - some might say that hindsight is a wonderful thing but there were a large number of us who could see his success at Bristol coming. Especially when OTY was out I would rather have had him and Kerr to choose from, although with Kerr kicking on well I see that as less of a problem next season.
For me though, the biggest loss that undoubtedly made all of the difference between us getting a home semifinal and finishing in 11th is the absence for large parts of Bateman. He's so good in every position on the pitch that if he was born in Auckland he would be picked ahead of any of the current crop of All Blacks in all of their respective positions. The footwork, the athleticism and the majestic demeanour make him the epitome of the modern all round rugby player.
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Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
I love Batman too, but every position on the pitch? Your tongue must be firmly in your cheek!Brutus wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2019 1:07 pmNo, just a fanBig Dai wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2019 1:04 pmAgreed in spades........but are you Bateman in disguise?Brutus wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2019 12:54 pm We massively missed Veainu this year through injury, I genuinely believe he is world class at FB. We have lacked clarity in the game plan (assuming there was one) and the 2nd row and back row have been light due to injury and lack of depth. I'm very excited about some of the signings, particularly Lavanini and Taufua - those two are game changers and seeing Lavanini and Spencer line up together in the engine room is a pretty tasty prospect!
Although TPN seems like a great chap I wish we had kept Thacker - some might say that hindsight is a wonderful thing but there were a large number of us who could see his success at Bristol coming. Especially when OTY was out I would rather have had him and Kerr to choose from, although with Kerr kicking on well I see that as less of a problem next season.
For me though, the biggest loss that undoubtedly made all of the difference between us getting a home semifinal and finishing in 11th is the absence for large parts of Bateman. He's so good in every position on the pitch that if he was born in Auckland he would be picked ahead of any of the current crop of All Blacks in all of their respective positions. The footwork, the athleticism and the majestic demeanour make him the epitome of the modern all round rugby player.
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Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
I can't really envisage Bateman as a fly half! ![:smt017](./images/smilies/017.gif)
![:smt017](./images/smilies/017.gif)
Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
As we've no Euro pool games next season, when Tigers office phone me next time (I've had two so far) to remind me I've not yet renewed our STs, I'll be asking if the price is going down by 75 quid each.
Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
There will be Euro pool games but in the Challenge Cup....
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Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
Have to agree about Bateman. He is our most talented forward as he has good hands, quick feet ( for a prop ) and knows how to get well over the gainline. With him and Denton missing for most of the season we have struggled to get any other forwards play in the dynamic way that today’s rugby is based upon. Thompson too, can play that way but again has only been fit for a few games. Will Evans is another who can play the offload game but he hasn’t played. Hardwick has the talent but I have heard he is having his attitude “ developed”!
As an aside, London Irish are making some decent signings so with it being World Cup Year Tigers must get the set up right from Academy to fist team .
The Shield must also be something we aim to win not take lightly. Too many thumping s there too which other clubs wouldn’t tolerate.
Every Tigers’ team has to be set up to win.
As an aside, London Irish are making some decent signings so with it being World Cup Year Tigers must get the set up right from Academy to fist team .
The Shield must also be something we aim to win not take lightly. Too many thumping s there too which other clubs wouldn’t tolerate.
Every Tigers’ team has to be set up to win.
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Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
Ok, maybe not 9.
I'm not Bateman either.
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Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
Hot_Charlie wrote: ↑Fri May 10, 2019 12:14 amOk, maybe not 9.tigerssteve wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2019 3:40 pmI love Batman too, but every position on the pitch? Your tongue must be firmly in your cheek!
I'm not Bateman either.
I am Bateman!
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Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
I am Bateman (and so is my wife)tigerssteve wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2019 8:52 amHot_Charlie wrote: ↑Fri May 10, 2019 12:14 amOk, maybe not 9.tigerssteve wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2019 3:40 pm
I love Batman too, but every position on the pitch? Your tongue must be firmly in your cheek!
I'm not Bateman either.
I am Bateman!
Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.
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Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
The final curtain is coming down next week, and the players will all take a bow, to the sound of massive applause. ![:smt005](./images/smilies/005.gif)
![:smt005](./images/smilies/005.gif)
Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
Clubs have got to start from somewhere, your lack of reality is downright shocking!TigerS2 wrote: ↑Sun May 12, 2019 12:34 amThe Challenge Cup is a trophy a club like tigers should be ashamed to have in their cabinet. Saracens could be four times Heineken Cup champions next season. Leicester can’t even qualify, so sad.
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Re: Thoughts & conclusions on the season.
If that trophy is good enough for Clermont it is good enough for us. You can only win competitions you are in and any trophy available to us is worth going for especially if it leads on to greater things. So far we have been the only Premiership team never to have competed for the Challenge trophy, lets win it and then make sure we don't have to play for it again.