LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
Moderators: Tigerbeat, Rizzo, Tigers Press Office, Tigers Webmaster
-
- Super User
- Posts: 7696
- Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2022 3:29 pm
Re: LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
If we were looking for a power winger, could do a lot worse than Timoci Tavatavanawai. Fijian playing for Moana Pasifica.
Just over 6ft weighing in at 17 and 1/2 stone runs over people for fun
Just over 6ft weighing in at 17 and 1/2 stone runs over people for fun
-
- Bronze Member
- Posts: 406
- Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2021 7:42 pm
Re: LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
I know I shouldn't but I have an instant image of Bleddwyn (RIP) getting his pronunciation of that name.Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 11:52 am If we were looking for a power winger, could do a lot worse than Timoci Tavatavanawai. Fijian playing for Moana Pasifica.
Just over 6ft weighing in at 17 and 1/2 stone runs over people for fun
The guy certainly looks a powerhouse but would he prefer the River Soar (pronounced sewer) to the Pacific?
-
- Super User
- Posts: 7696
- Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2022 3:29 pm
Re: LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
Don’t imagine there is much chance and always a worry lifting someone out of their home environment, especially as the number of Pacific Islanders we have has reduced and is likely to reduce further. One thing is that his coach is Aaron Mauger.Nofrontteeth wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 12:18 pmI know I shouldn't but I have an instant image of Bleddwyn (RIP) getting his pronunciation of that name.Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 11:52 am If we were looking for a power winger, could do a lot worse than Timoci Tavatavanawai. Fijian playing for Moana Pasifica.
Just over 6ft weighing in at 17 and 1/2 stone runs over people for fun
The guy certainly looks a powerhouse but would he prefer the River Soar (pronounced sewer) to the Pacific?
-
- Super User
- Posts: 13596
- Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2013 12:54 pm
Re: LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
When you think of all the academy lads coming through.
Why have we not been able to produce and find Centres and Wingers to the same standard?
Why have we not been able to produce and find Centres and Wingers to the same standard?
Re: LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
I don't follow the academy super closely but it seems we've had players who've looked good but just not developed like Tyrese Johnson Fisher, Andre Dunn and Ronnie Du RandtRagingBull wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 9:50 pm When you think of all the academy lads coming through.
Why have we not been able to produce and find Centres and Wingers to the same standard?
Re: LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
Olowofela and Browning both looked like talents at age grade but they dominated due to athleticism there. When that didn't allow them to dominate at senior level it didn't translate. Which is interesting. That armchair ride they get a times at U18 from dominant packs perhaps limiting development in a way?
Our academy packs have been excellent for a while. Looking at players let go shows that. Muncaster and Tebbatt in the back row I thought looked terrific for instance. U18 skippers in Jordan and Eveleigh. Bobby Singer at lock consistently impressed. Kit Smith I rated too. I'm still hoping Lavin might bounce back but his departure was more injury related so a different bracket but another talent in there.
In terms of outside backs I wonder if Ollie Smith might've been kept on had Steward not come through at fullback just before? He was the biggest surprise for me in a while with someone not getting a dev squad deal.
Our academy packs have been excellent for a while. Looking at players let go shows that. Muncaster and Tebbatt in the back row I thought looked terrific for instance. U18 skippers in Jordan and Eveleigh. Bobby Singer at lock consistently impressed. Kit Smith I rated too. I'm still hoping Lavin might bounce back but his departure was more injury related so a different bracket but another talent in there.
In terms of outside backs I wonder if Ollie Smith might've been kept on had Steward not come through at fullback just before? He was the biggest surprise for me in a while with someone not getting a dev squad deal.
Re: LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
Nicolas Freitas, Uruguay 13 and wing, is only with Vannes until the end of the current season. He'd add really good depth in two needed positions without breaking the bank.
-
- Super User
- Posts: 7795
- Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2020 6:23 am
Re: LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
Agree, but if Porter is in and around the England squad then I would be tempted by someone who would be available at the World Cup, though likelihood is a Uruguay player is only missing the group stages...
Used to run around with an 11, 14 or 15 on my back.
-
- Gold Member
- Posts: 1234
- Joined: Tue May 05, 2020 6:36 pm
-
- Super User
- Posts: 7324
- Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:27 pm
- Location: Shepshed
Re: LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
Jack Blain has been released by Edinburgh. Might be worth a punt, he should be quite cheap. He's a big lad and was around the Scotland squad back in 2021. Still only 23. Could be candidate to train as a centre as well.
-
- Gold Member
- Posts: 1234
- Joined: Tue May 05, 2020 6:36 pm
Re: LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
I Wonder if Someone like Sam Spink is available for next season?
Left Wasps, highly rated and went to the Western Force. Not seen much of the Super Rugby to comment but he’d be a solid back-up for the WC and into the future at least, without breaking the bank?
Left Wasps, highly rated and went to the Western Force. Not seen much of the Super Rugby to comment but he’d be a solid back-up for the WC and into the future at least, without breaking the bank?
-
- Gold Member
- Posts: 1234
- Joined: Tue May 05, 2020 6:36 pm
Re: LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
Good shout on Blain - did think it was one of the only odd ones on their release sheet.sam16111986 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 08, 2023 8:58 am Jack Blain has been released by Edinburgh. Might be worth a punt, he should be quite cheap. He's a big lad and was around the Scotland squad back in 2021. Still only 23. Could be candidate to train as a centre as well.
-
- Super User
- Posts: 7795
- Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2020 6:23 am
Re: LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
Back 3 & Centre Options: (some of the younger Dev players like Loose & Daniels I don't think are ready to be called options for the first team yet...)
12: Kelly, Porter, Scott, Gopperth, Cokanasiga, Woodward
13: Porter, Scott, Potter, Cokanasiga, Cusick
Wing: OHC, Potter, Bassett, Simmons, Steward
FB: Steward, Shillcock, Brown, Atkinson, Walsh
So unsure if they'll be here or nor next season (plus my guess if they'll be here next season)
Anthony Watson -> probably leaving
Chris Ashton -> 50/50 retiring
Kini Murimurivalu -> lean more to leaving than staying
Hosea Saumaki -> probably leaving
Joe Browning -> almost certainly leaving
I would like to see a experienced 13 who can cover the wing, rather than a wing who covers 13. Ideally not someone at the world cup. However I will caveat that given I think if most other centre options are available that Porter will be with us for the world cup, but if the club have chatted to Borthwick and know what his thinking is re. Porter atm, in which case Nicolas Freitas may be a smart option.
The other is I think likely one of Ashton, Watson or Murimurivalu staying. And I'm really unsure which it'll be, Saumaki in the mix too but think he's the most unlikely to stay.
12: Kelly, Porter, Scott, Gopperth, Cokanasiga, Woodward
13: Porter, Scott, Potter, Cokanasiga, Cusick
Wing: OHC, Potter, Bassett, Simmons, Steward
FB: Steward, Shillcock, Brown, Atkinson, Walsh
So unsure if they'll be here or nor next season (plus my guess if they'll be here next season)
Anthony Watson -> probably leaving
Chris Ashton -> 50/50 retiring
Kini Murimurivalu -> lean more to leaving than staying
Hosea Saumaki -> probably leaving
Joe Browning -> almost certainly leaving
I would like to see a experienced 13 who can cover the wing, rather than a wing who covers 13. Ideally not someone at the world cup. However I will caveat that given I think if most other centre options are available that Porter will be with us for the world cup, but if the club have chatted to Borthwick and know what his thinking is re. Porter atm, in which case Nicolas Freitas may be a smart option.
The other is I think likely one of Ashton, Watson or Murimurivalu staying. And I'm really unsure which it'll be, Saumaki in the mix too but think he's the most unlikely to stay.
Used to run around with an 11, 14 or 15 on my back.
-
- Super User
- Posts: 7324
- Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:27 pm
- Location: Shepshed
Re: LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
He did strike me as a bit like our signing of Dolly. Former age grade player that's dropped off and fallen out of favour. If he's the right character we could back ourselves to get more out of him again.RunTigerRun wrote: ↑Sat Apr 08, 2023 8:59 amGood shout on Blain - did think it was one of the only odd ones on their release sheet.sam16111986 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 08, 2023 8:58 am Jack Blain has been released by Edinburgh. Might be worth a punt, he should be quite cheap. He's a big lad and was around the Scotland squad back in 2021. Still only 23. Could be candidate to train as a centre as well.
Sam Spink would be a reliable signing. I was never massively impressed by him at Wasps but he rarely seemed to make any errors.
Re: LEICESTER TIGERS 2022/23 - Prisoner of Oadby Pre-Season
Totally agree with this. The reality is that winger is a pretty easy (and cheap) slot to fill. We probably had 5 or 6 players who could have done a job there yesterday. At centre we literally didn't have anyone at 13.TigerFeetSteve wrote: ↑Sat Apr 08, 2023 9:59 am Back 3 & Centre Options: (some of the younger Dev players like Loose & Daniels I don't think are ready to be called options for the first team yet...)
12: Kelly, Porter, Scott, Gopperth, Cokanasiga, Woodward
13: Porter, Scott, Potter, Cokanasiga, Cusick
Wing: OHC, Potter, Bassett, Simmons, Steward
FB: Steward, Shillcock, Brown, Atkinson, Walsh
So unsure if they'll be here or nor next season (plus my guess if they'll be here next season)
Anthony Watson -> probably leaving
Chris Ashton -> 50/50 retiring
Kini Murimurivalu -> lean more to leaving than staying
Hosea Saumaki -> probably leaving
Joe Browning -> almost certainly leaving
I would like to see a experienced 13 who can cover the wing, rather than a wing who covers 13. Ideally not someone at the world cup. However I will caveat that given I think if most other centre options are available that Porter will be with us for the world cup, but if the club have chatted to Borthwick and know what his thinking is re. Porter atm, in which case Nicolas Freitas may be a smart option.
The other is I think likely one of Ashton, Watson or Murimurivalu staying. And I'm really unsure which it'll be, Saumaki in the mix too but think he's the most unlikely to stay.
Similarly 12 is fairly manageable, especially with players like Pollard/Porter who can slot in there easily.
If I were the coaches I'd be looking for another 13. Someone below international level but who can defend well and can at least give Porter/Scott a bit of competition, and protect Potter or others being dragged in. Cusack isn't ready yet and Cokanasiga doesn't yet have the fundamentals of his game quite there.
Never believe generalisations