LEICESTER TIGERS 2023/24 - KANGAROO MCKELLER: Do you come from a land down under? (Squad thread pt 2)

[sam16111986]

I’m surprised we’ve not used Montoya’s expertise, knowledge and persuasive powers to encourage the odd promising young Argentine prop over lured by a few quid and an opportunity to improve their game against top opposition.
If only we could find the new Marcos Ayerza …. Now that was a LH who commanded his starting position for ever … but then a again he was one of the greatest Looseheads ever and one of the greatest Tigers ever and possibly my favourite Tiger ever!
Gallo would be nice … not Marcos exactly.. but very handy all the same .. and still young!!

The rumours were we tried for Gallo but Bennetton managed to renew on a long term deal. The last few Puma props to land in the Prem have been pretty underwhelming. None of the Ayerza and Figallo standard.

[sk 88]

I’m surprised we’ve not used Montoya’s expertise, knowledge and persuasive powers to encourage the odd promising young Argentine prop over lured by a few quid and an opportunity to improve their game against top opposition.
If only we could find the new Marcos Ayerza …. Now that was a LH who commanded his starting position for ever … but then a again he was one of the greatest Looseheads ever and one of the greatest Tigers ever and possibly my favourite Tiger ever!
Gallo would be nice … not Marcos exactly.. but very handy all the same .. and still young!!

The rumours were we tried for Gallo but Bennetton managed to renew on a long term deal. The last few Puma props to land in the Prem have been pretty underwhelming. None of the Ayerza and Figallo standard.

Bit harsh when Montoya is the best in the league at his position, Gonzalez starting every week at 6 for Saracens & cutting up. Cinti is starting regularly in a variety of positions for Saracens too. Bello playing well for Newcastle. Rubiolo has suffered with injury post RWC, and Moroni & Orlandi don't display their Argentina form for Newcastle it is fair to say though.

I believe that is the current extent of Argentines in the Prem, unless I've forgot some? Grondona at Bristol not doing much.

[Old Hob]

Moroni at Falcons, not Montoya??

(Just for the history buffs, record keepers)

[sam16111986]

I’m surprised we’ve not used Montoya’s expertise, knowledge and persuasive powers to encourage the odd promising young Argentine prop over lured by a few quid and an opportunity to improve their game against top opposition.
If only we could find the new Marcos Ayerza …. Now that was a LH who commanded his starting position for ever … but then a again he was one of the greatest Looseheads ever and one of the greatest Tigers ever and possibly my favourite Tiger ever!
Gallo would be nice … not Marcos exactly.. but very handy all the same .. and still young!!

The rumours were we tried for Gallo but Bennetton managed to renew on a long term deal. The last few Puma props to land in the Prem have been pretty underwhelming. None of the Ayerza and Figallo standard.

Bit harsh when Montoya is the best in the league at his position, Gonzalez starting every week at 6 for Saracens & cutting up. Cinti is starting regularly in a variety of positions for Saracens too. Bello playing well for Newcastle. Rubiolo has suffered with injury post RWC, and Montoya & Orlandi don't display their Argentina form for Newcastle it is fair to say though.

I believe that is the current extent of Argentines in the Prem, unless I've forgot some? Grondona at Bristol not doing much.

I stipulated Puma props not Pumas. There's some excellent Argentina players in the league but just not many of their props whereas it used to be a sign of quality that a prop was Argentinian. He's a Puma, he'll be good at scrum time. Not quite so much any more (obviously there's still good ones around).

Bello was a disappointment at Sarries making just 6 appearances but is doing a steady job at Falcons. He's 28 and has 20 caps but isn't setting the world alight. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro managed 4 games in most of a season at Bristol with just 1 start, also getting sin binned Vs us in THAT game at WR. Chaparro has more than 70 caps. Santiago Garcia Botta a 31 year-old and 30 cap Puma is in his fifth season at Quins and has been overtaken by 21 year old Fin Baxter managing 33 starts in those five seasons.

Three Puma props in the Prem in current or recent seasons who've not done a lot.

There were others Rodrigo Martinez a one cap loosehead at Wasps before their demise had two Prem appearances in two seasons and is now struggling to be a feature in the Dragons side.

Mayco Vivas at Glaws is going well, he's probably the exception to Puma props somewhat trading on the past glories of their countrymen in the front row. 25 years old and really keeping that injury ravaged front row at Glaws going.

[sk 88]

The rumours were we tried for Gallo but Bennetton managed to renew on a long term deal. The last few Puma props to land in the Prem have been pretty underwhelming. None of the Ayerza and Figallo standard.

Bit harsh when Montoya is the best in the league at his position, Gonzalez starting every week at 6 for Saracens & cutting up. Cinti is starting regularly in a variety of positions for Saracens too. Bello playing well for Newcastle. Rubiolo has suffered with injury post RWC, and Montoya & Orlandi don't display their Argentina form for Newcastle it is fair to say though.

I believe that is the current extent of Argentines in the Prem, unless I've forgot some? Grondona at Bristol not doing much.

I stipulated Puma props not Pumas. There's some excellent Argentina players in the league but just not many of their props whereas it used to be a sign of quality that a prop was Argentinian. He's a Puma, he'll be good at scrum time. Not quite so much any more (obviously there's still good ones around).

Bello was a disappointment at Sarries making just 6 appearances but is doing a steady job at Falcons. He's 28 and has 20 caps but isn't setting the world alight. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro managed 4 games in most of a season at Bristol with just 1 start, also getting sin binned Vs us in THAT game at WR. Chaparro has more than 70 caps. Santiago Garcia Botta a 31 year-old and 30 cap Puma is in his fifth season at Quins and has been overtaken by 21 year old Fin Baxter managing 33 starts in those five seasons.

Three Puma props in the Prem in current or recent seasons who've not done a lot.

There were others Rodrigo Martinez a one cap loosehead at Wasps before their demise had two Prem appearances in two seasons and is now struggling to be a feature in the Dragons side.

Mayco Vivas at Glaws is going well, he's probably the exception to Puma props somewhat trading on the past glories of their countrymen in the front row. 25 years old and really keeping that injury ravaged front row at Glaws going.

So you did, my apologies! Must read closer!

[sk 88]

Moroni at Falcons, not Montoya??

(Just for the history buffs, record keepers)

Amended!

[TigerFeetSteve]

Talking of Pumas, Falcons have confirmed Orlando is being released immediately.

[LE18]

How about Georgian props? obviously we will find out tonight but are there any standouts who are available?

[sam16111986]

Bit harsh when Montoya is the best in the league at his position, Gonzalez starting every week at 6 for Saracens & cutting up. Cinti is starting regularly in a variety of positions for Saracens too. Bello playing well for Newcastle. Rubiolo has suffered with injury post RWC, and Montoya & Orlandi don't display their Argentina form for Newcastle it is fair to say though.

I believe that is the current extent of Argentines in the Prem, unless I've forgot some? Grondona at Bristol not doing much.

I stipulated Puma props not Pumas. There's some excellent Argentina players in the league but just not many of their props whereas it used to be a sign of quality that a prop was Argentinian. He's a Puma, he'll be good at scrum time. Not quite so much any more (obviously there's still good ones around).

Bello was a disappointment at Sarries making just 6 appearances but is doing a steady job at Falcons. He's 28 and has 20 caps but isn't setting the world alight. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro managed 4 games in most of a season at Bristol with just 1 start, also getting sin binned Vs us in THAT game at WR. Chaparro has more than 70 caps. Santiago Garcia Botta a 31 year-old and 30 cap Puma is in his fifth season at Quins and has been overtaken by 21 year old Fin Baxter managing 33 starts in those five seasons.

Three Puma props in the Prem in current or recent seasons who've not done a lot.

There were others Rodrigo Martinez a one cap loosehead at Wasps before their demise had two Prem appearances in two seasons and is now struggling to be a feature in the Dragons side.

Mayco Vivas at Glaws is going well, he's probably the exception to Puma props somewhat trading on the past glories of their countrymen in the front row. 25 years old and really keeping that injury ravaged front row at Glaws going.

So you did, my apologies! Must read closer!

[sam16111986]

How about Georgian props? obviously we will find out tonight but are there any standouts who are available?

Be a good chance to look at some younger Georgian props who aren't capped yet and maybe get in there before any of the French sides do.

[TigerFeetSteve]

So it seems from twitter (and this is me putting 2 and 2 together from comments I've seen so may have got 5)

Reading between the lines on the fact people who went to the Q&A with McKellar and Wilkes, (and the fact that Wilkes may have said a bit too much in parts)

I think a question was asked on why we'd let Sam Edwards go, which led to a lot of praise being heaped towards Allan, who showed some good bits yesterday

[johnthegriff]

I think it is quite simple, next year there is a limited squad size, and limited game time available, the players in the squad have to be balanced over all.positions and there is only room for a certain number of specialist scrum halves and hookers, certain positions lead to more versatility than others. I was surprised we let Edwards go but having seen Allen for the first time last night I can see why we did. I am not saying he is ready for the Premiership yet but I will not be concerned if he is on the bench when JVP is unavailable.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

I think it is quite simple, next year there is a limited squad size, and limited game time available, the players in the squad have to be balanced over all.positions and there is only room for a certain number of specialist scrum halves and hookers, certain positions lead to more versatility than others. I was surprised we let Edwards go but having seen Allen for the first time last night I can see why we did. I am not saying he is ready for the Premiership yet but I will not be concerned if he is on the bench when JVP is unavailable.

I don't think some of us have an issue with backing Allen, it was Whiteley over Edwards & that for at least some of us was pre the Bristol game.

[johnthegriff]

And a few matches previously some were suggesting Whitely had moved ahead of Youngs. I do regret losing Edwards as I regret losing Ben White in my opinion due to the unnecessary signing of Wigglesworth, but we fans can have opinions without having to make decisions, I can imagine the club thinking we need more experienced back up to JVP and Youngs than Edwards & Allen so could only keep one of them.

[LE18]

And a few matches previously some were suggesting Whitely had moved ahead of Youngs. I do regret losing Edwards as I regret losing Ben White in my opinion due to the unnecessary signing of Wigglesworth, but we fans can have opinions without having to make decisions, I can imagine the club thinking we need more experienced back up to JVP and Youngs than Edwards & Allen so could only keep one of them.

John, sadly I think Ben has become very poor, he looks jaded, he should retire now whilst he is still of a decent standard, he is not getting any younger, and as for Whitely, well enough has been written on him, I hope Allen moves up very soon, also his replacement last night was impressive..
Regarding Ben White I was more in favour of Simmons, but again enough has been written abour that comparison.