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

[Pellsey]

Solomone Kata was crocked badly against us and had just come back from long term injury. Guess Exeter think he is to high risk to retain? Hope he is cheap if its true we signed him

So he plays 12,13 & wing

We have

Kelly, Porter, Scott, Potter, Hassell-Collins, Bassett etc all in his positions. No way we'd be hiring him on a starters wage. Plus if he's not required week in week out it probably reduces his liklihood of injuries.

Seems like a decent moneyball signing if him & Bryne come at the right price.

But if you look at the injuries we have had in the last year or two in the centres, it could make sense, obviously assuming he doesn't get injured too often himself!!! Furthermore, he is a "power-player", which is something we currently don't really have in the backs. I am not including Saumaki and Kini, whom I believe will be off.

[TigerFeetSteve]

Bryne & Kata would be ideal signing to round off the back 3 options for us with Kata providing centre cover too which we need though Cokanasiga may also be stepping up a bit IMO.

Bryne???

Sorry for the typo, Adam Byrne from Connacht, see page 184 of this thread

Former Ireland & Leinster winger, moved to Connacht, now confirmed off from there, been also linked to Chicago in the MLR (see the end of page 189 in the thread)

[sapajo]

Bryne & Kata would be ideal signing to round off the back 3 options for us with Kata providing centre cover too which we need though Cokanasiga may also be stepping up a bit IMO.

Bryne???

Sorry for the typo, Adam Byrne from Connacht, see page 184 of this thread

Former Ireland & Leinster winger, moved to Connacht, now confirmed off from there, been also linked to Chicago in the MLR (see the end of page 189 in the thread)

Thank you

[loretta]

Solomone Kata was crocked badly against us and had just come back from long term injury. Guess Exeter think he is to high risk to retain? Hope he is cheap if its true we signed him

Plenty of time before October for him to get fit, especially if it means he misses out on RWC duties. Though I’m not sure if he’d be playing for Tonga anyway.

[Leicestertinytiger]

Apparently his breakdown across the backline is:

11 - 15%
12 - 38%
13 - 12%
14 - 35%

Think he’d be a great addition, good versatility and we’ve missed some physicality in the backs. Employed on the right wing for the Brumbies which would fit our backline nicely.

[ay2oh]

Just looked at his reel on YouTube and looks a bit of a beast.

[RagingBull]

Exeter fan saying he spoke to Kata yesterday.
He's coming to us and will be fit in 12 weeks

Def think he will be a winger for us more than centre though

[kpj tiger]

I'm not completely sold on Kata, he's obviously a physical specimen but he seems to have bounced around Super Rugby a bit and then had an injury ravaged season with Exeter. That said you could have said the same for Veainu and even Nadolo at points in their careers so hopefully he will come good for us.

[RagingBull]

I'm not completely sold on Kata, he's obviously a physical specimen but he seems to have bounced around Super Rugby a bit and then had an injury ravaged season with Exeter. That said you could have said the same for Veainu and even Nadolo at points in their careers so hopefully he will come good for us.

He played 23 games this season

[kpj tiger]

I'm not completely sold on Kata, he's obviously a physical specimen but he seems to have bounced around Super Rugby a bit and then had an injury ravaged season with Exeter. That said you could have said the same for Veainu and even Nadolo at points in their careers so hopefully he will come good for us.

He played 23 games this season

The Exeter website said 17, I'm happy to concede that maybe ravaged was a bit of hyperbole though

[RagingBull]

I'm not completely sold on Kata, he's obviously a physical specimen but he seems to have bounced around Super Rugby a bit and then had an injury ravaged season with Exeter. That said you could have said the same for Veainu and even Nadolo at points in their careers so hopefully he will come good for us.

He played 23 games this season

The Exeter website said 17, I'm happy to concede that maybe ravaged was a bit of hyperbole though

I’m factoring internationals TBF

[Tiglon]

I would be delighted with signing Kata, really explosive player who would add something different to the squad.

[Pellsey]

Def think he will be a winger for us more than centre though

Either way, he will give us the power we need in the backs. OHC and Kata on the wings would be quite a pair!

[ABClub]

Solomone Kata was crocked badly against us and had just come back from long term injury. Guess Exeter think he is to high risk to retain? Hope he is cheap if its true we signed him

Plenty of time before October for him to get fit, especially if it means he misses out on RWC duties. Though I’m not sure if he’d be playing for Tonga anyway.

Even with the impressive list of newly qualified Tongans I'd expect Kata to be in the squad at the very least.

Former All Blacks Moala and Fekitoa are likely to be the first choice centre partnership with Piutau and Folau occupying two of the back three. That leaves the second wing spot (Tima Fainga'anuku or Kata likely options with Anzelo Tuitavaki and Fetuli Paea also thereabouts) and reserve centres (Kata, Afusipa Tamoepeau and Fetuli Paea all in the running). So even if Kata misses out on the left wing spot he occupied for Tonga recently I'd expect him to be a handy bench option and almost certainly in the squad.

It could be a really impressive Tonga side. On top of those outside backs they've also got newly qualified forwards in Adam Coleman, Lopeti Timani and Vaea Fifita. Zane Kapeli is of course a terrific back row. As is the Crusaders Sione Talitui.

Saumaki will struggle to make the 33-man squad that goes to France for instance. In the past that wouldn't have been the case for someone with his attacking talent.

[ABClub]

Jack Maunder is leaving Chiefs. Is he worth a look as the additional 9 to cover international callups?