LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season

[RagingBull]

See I thought Phil was just a 1 year thing in Stade whilst he did a study abroad

[RunTigerRun]

See I thought Phil was just a 1 year thing in Stade whilst he did a study abroad

Could well be RB. I guess time will tell!

[happywomble]

Phil Tandoh looks like a year of studying foreign language in France. Seems he has returned.
https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/latest- ... -trip/amp/

[Scott1]

If Steward did go and I saw him after it would be like that scene from The Godfather. I’d grab his face and kiss him on the forehead and utter those lines “you broke my heart Freddie”

[Hot_Charlie]

Pre Season Loans games
Nottingham
26. Joe Woodward
27. Jacob Cusick
30. Tom Manz

In fact the game (against Aberavon) featured Dan Richardson and Simon Koroiyadi too. Harry Thacker was in the stands.

Jordan Olowofela stood out against the breeze in the first half - he could easily end up the RFU Championship player of the season - justifiably he looked a level above most of the rest. Sadly the general pattern of the game was complete dominance in the scrum by Aberavon.

Manz, Cusick and Woodward all came on when Nottingham played a completely different side after half time. The latter pair didn't get much chance in attack (Woodward replaced Charlie Thacker at 12, Cusick played 13) due to most scrums becoming Aberavon penalties. An excellent try saving tackle by Cusick stood out. Manz just looked huge.

Richardson came on at tighthead with about 15-20 mins to go and after a couple more pens against the Notts scrum, he managed to eek out a couple against Aberavon. Koroiyadi got 5-10 mins at the end.

[Hot_Charlie]

I have a lot of time for Charlie Morgan analyse but nothing I have seen in his writings so far indicates he has many inside men.

but he is right about no time pressure for both sides so doubt we need to worry just yet.

I, too like his writing. At least he doesn't claim to have inside men, unlike that superstar Fissler!

To be fair, almost all his work is analysis, which is where he started from in the first place. Very little of it is signing/tip-off news.

[RunTigerRun]

Pre Season Loans games
Nottingham
26. Joe Woodward
27. Jacob Cusick
30. Tom Manz

In fact the game (against Aberavon) featured Dan Richardson and Simon Koroiyadi too. Harry Thacker was in the stands.

Jordan Olowofela stood out against the breeze in the first half - he could easily end up the RFU Championship player of the season - justifiably he looked a level above most of the rest. Sadly the general pattern of the game was complete dominance in the scrum by Aberavon.

Manz, Cusick and Woodward all came on when Nottingham played a completely different side after half time. The latter pair didn't get much chance in attack (Woodward replaced Charlie Thacker at 12, Cusick played 13) due to most scrums becoming Aberavon penalties. An excellent try saving tackle by Cusick stood out. Manz just looked huge.

Richardson came on at tighthead with about 15-20 mins to go and after a couple more pens against the Notts scrum, he managed to eek out a couple against Aberavon. Koroiyadi got 5-10 mins at the end.

Interesting that Richardson is getting more and more game time at tighthead. Sounds like a promising more scrummaging-wise too. I wonder if a season-loan in the championship at tighthead and then replacing Nephi at 3 in the squad next year is a possibility?!

[Hot_Charlie]

Pre Season Loans games
Nottingham
26. Joe Woodward
27. Jacob Cusick
30. Tom Manz

In fact the game (against Aberavon) featured Dan Richardson and Simon Koroiyadi too. Harry Thacker was in the stands.

Jordan Olowofela stood out against the breeze in the first half - he could easily end up the RFU Championship player of the season - justifiably he looked a level above most of the rest. Sadly the general pattern of the game was complete dominance in the scrum by Aberavon.

Manz, Cusick and Woodward all came on when Nottingham played a completely different side after half time. The latter pair didn't get much chance in attack (Woodward replaced Charlie Thacker at 12, Cusick played 13) due to most scrums becoming Aberavon penalties. An excellent try saving tackle by Cusick stood out. Manz just looked huge.

Richardson came on at tighthead with about 15-20 mins to go and after a couple more pens against the Notts scrum, he managed to eek out a couple against Aberavon. Koroiyadi got 5-10 mins at the end.

Interesting that Richardson is getting more and more game time at tighthead. Sounds like a promising more scrummaging-wise too. I wonder if a season-loan in the championship at tighthead and then replacing Nephi at 3 in the squad next year is a possibility?!

Quite. Notts played 3 different THs during the match but I think only 2 LHs. I presume the first two THs were their regular ones. I have to say, Richardson looks to have the body shape of a TH more than LH. Worth noting it was a Premiership referee too (Andrew Jackson), who gave Notts the scrum penalties after he'd come on, so promising there after a couple of scrums to get his eye in.

[RagingBull]

Hoping to see a prem cup team of
1. Whitcombe
2. Vanes
3. Hurd
4. Snyman
5. Manz
6. Carnduff
7. Ilione
8. Jansen
9. Edwards
10. Gopperth/Walsh
11. Murimurivalu
12. Woodward
13. Cusick
14. Saumaki
15. Shelly

16. Cowan-Dickie
17. Van Wyk
18. Richardson
19. Chessum
20. Carnduff
21. Simmons
22. Walsh/Meredith
23. Browning

[tigerburnie]

Carnduff is going to be busy starting and coming on off the bench.

[ABClub]

I'm hoping Nephi is used predominantly at LH this season. He's a far better scrummager there. I'm one of his biggest fans on here and think his contribution as a bench option in some of our final quarter surges can sometimes be overlooked but Nephi tends to struggle at TH.

I'm hoping we see Nephi make more appearances over the season but Whitcombe make more starts. Similar to Leatigaga and Heyes a few seasons back. Basically use Nephi as the bench LH in loads of matchday 23s whilst rotating Cronin and Whitcombe in the starting shirt.

He has his limitations but as a bench LH used for impact in the final 15 to 20 minutes Nephi can be fantastic. His carrying in those periods frequently gets us over the gain line against tiring defenses in the build up to late tries. He's also good over the ball and wins useful turnovers in those late stages as support players slow down.

[Scott1]

Hoping to see a prem cup team of
1. Whitcombe
2. Vanes
3. Hurd
4. Snyman
5. Manz
6. Carnduff
7. Ilione
8. Jansen
9. Edwards
10. Gopperth/Walsh
11. Murimurivalu
12. Woodward
13. Cusick
14. Saumaki
15. Shelly

16. Cowan-Dickie
17. Van Wyk
18. Richardson
19. Chessum
20. Carnduff
21. Simmons
22. Walsh/Meredith
23. Browning

I’m hoping to see Jansen in the league if I’m honest!

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

I'm hoping Nephi is used predominantly at LH this season. He's a far better scrummager there. I'm one of his biggest fans on here and think his contribution as a bench option in some of our final quarter surges can sometimes be overlooked but Nephi tends to struggle at TH.

I'm hoping we see Nephi make more appearances over the season but Whitcombe make more starts. Similar to Leatigaga and Heyes a few seasons back. Basically use Nephi as the bench LH in loads of matchday 23s whilst rotating Cronin and Whitcombe in the starting shirt.

He has his limitations but as a bench LH used for impact in the final 15 to 20 minutes Nephi can be fantastic. His carrying in those periods frequently gets us over the gain line against tiring defenses in the build up to late tries. He's also good over the ball and wins useful turnovers in those late stages as support players slow down.

In the pre season photos Nephi looks a little trimmer....or his good side has been captured

[LekkerTigers]

I'm hoping Nephi is used predominantly at LH this season. He's a far better scrummager there. I'm one of his biggest fans on here and think his contribution as a bench option in some of our final quarter surges can sometimes be overlooked but Nephi tends to struggle at TH.

I'm hoping we see Nephi make more appearances over the season but Whitcombe make more starts. Similar to Leatigaga and Heyes a few seasons back. Basically use Nephi as the bench LH in loads of matchday 23s whilst rotating Cronin and Whitcombe in the starting shirt.

He has his limitations but as a bench LH used for impact in the final 15 to 20 minutes Nephi can be fantastic. His carrying in those periods frequently gets us over the gain line against tiring defenses in the build up to late tries. He's also good over the ball and wins useful turnovers in those late stages as support players slow down.

If you watch the 84th minute win over Bristol back, he was instrumental in giving us someone to carry and reset the attack. Repeatedly drew in 2 or more tacklers. I don’t think we’d have the space for Steward to make the offload if it was anyone else making the previous carry into contact.

[ABClub]

If you watch the 84th minute win over Bristol back, he was instrumental in giving us someone to carry and reset the attack. Repeatedly drew in 2 or more tacklers. I don’t think we’d have the space for Steward to make the offload if it was anyone else making the previous carry into contact.

He's frequently that focal point for attacks later on. As said, despite me being a massive fan, he does have limitations. He isn't the best as a starter and his scrummaging at TH can be attacked. As a bench LH I think Nephi is a extremely valuable player in this era of having a full front row on the bench, the impact that can offer.

Whether having the number of subs we currently do is a good thing is a completely different discussion of course. Whilst we can change the whole front row in the second half we may as well take full advantage though!

I'd also guess that he offers fairly good value for money. Being a big of a specialist bench option means a club needs a stable of props they trust to start to sign him. Given his limitations as a starter I can't imagine a lot of clubs making big offers but he slots into the Tigers squad so well given we have had a couple of strong starting options on both sides.