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

[sapajo]

Petersen
De Villiers
Thorn
Wigglesworth
Ashton
Nandalo
Brown

Tigers are specialist recruiters of vintage players

[sam16111986]

Ben Agbenu not been kept by the Saints squad, he would be worth a look as a dev 13/wing player
Scored a cracking try in the final.

100m pb of 11.90 (as it's on power of 10 he's obviously done some athletics and this will be on a track with spikes). He must be pretty quick. Good call.

[AViewFromLe2]

Moroni was not always a starter in his 35 appearances over his two years with us. A good player but in two years with Falcons has only appeared 20 times to me that suggests that at 33 his skills are fading and I don't think he would be an asset as a player for us. We need some one quicker and younger either from our Academy or a signing to build a team that can grow together.

Whilst I get this view, we've shown signing players like Gopperth, Brown & Ashton can be a real asset to have experienced players backing up our starters.

I will also say that 20 starts at Newcastle are a little skewed by the world cup season.

I think Kelly for example really enjoyed having his leadership and experience outside him.

I also don't see him as blocking that many from the Academy next season, there's only really Myall who's a 13 and I'd say he's a season off being in the matchday 23 for more than the PRC and a couple of other appearances.

Just on this point - one of the reasons for our growth from 2020 to the title win in 2022 was the signing of good quality, experienced players and squeezing the last juice out of them. Nemani, Wiggy, Ashton were all invaluable for us in that journey. Same as with last year - Brown, Gopperth etc. All really good professionals, who had been there, done that and could guide our young players through and be a good example in the dressing room.

I actually think one of the issues we have had this season is that we have lost a lot of rugby IQ since 2022 and indeed since last year, that has not really been replaced. Nemani, Wiggy, Ashton & Gopperth have left. As have Ford, Moroni, Genge and Callum Green. That is a hell of a lot of guile, know-how and top level professionalism that has left the club - probably somewhere around 2000 games of experience and knowledge have left. I do think we are hurting because of that - especially in the day to day little stuff on the training ground and the nous they would have on a matchday too.

[Jimmy Skitz]

until he gets named in multiple starting XVs and actually plays Anthony Watson is just a myth as far as I am concerned

[sapajo]

until he gets named in multiple starting XVs and actually plays Anthony Watson is just a myth as far as I am concerned

He is a vintage Ferrari that keeps breaking down. Expensive to own and rarely fit for the road an expensive liability and luxury.

[speedski]

I’d love Moroni to come back.

Alas I’m not sure he will - it’s was not a very good breakup when he left us - we pretty much dumped him out of the blue and his other half wasn’t happy…

[Darc Tiger]

Manu Vunipola to fill our 10 void?

[LE18]

until he gets named in multiple starting XVs and actually plays Anthony Watson is just a myth as far as I am concerned

He is a vintage Ferrari that keeps breaking down. Expensive to own and rarely fit for the road an expensive liability and luxury.

I would have caled him a "Lotus", Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious.

[Rugbygramps]

Manu Vunipola to fill our 10 void?

I’ve suggested but others not keen. He’s still young and not sure he’s ever been given a proper go at Sarries with the rather using Goode when Farrell was unavailable, there may of course be very good reasons for this

[AViewFromLe2]

Manu Vunipola to fill our 10 void?

I’ve suggested but others not keen. He’s still young and not sure he’s ever been given a proper go at Sarries with the rather using Goode when Farrell was unavailable, there may of course be very good reasons for this

I’d take a punt on him! For what we are looking for, I think he ticks a lot of boxes.

[sam16111986]

Manu Vunipola to fill our 10 void?

I’ve suggested but others not keen. He’s still young and not sure he’s ever been given a proper go at Sarries with the rather using Goode when Farrell was unavailable, there may of course be very good reasons for this

I’d take a punt on him! For what we are looking for, I think he ticks a lot of boxes.

He's 24 and made 79 appearances for Sarries with 49 starts. Hasn't made much impression.

I suspect he'll got and play ProD2 rugby over in France.

[Rugbygramps]

Manu Vunipola to fill our 10 void?

I’ve suggested but others not keen. He’s still young and not sure he’s ever been given a proper go at Sarries with the rather using Goode when Farrell was unavailable, there may of course be very good reasons for this

I’d take a punt on him! For what we are looking for, I think he ticks a lot of boxes.

He’s 24 and made 77 appearances for Saracens, certainly no worse than Atkinson imo

[AViewFromLe2]

I’ve suggested but others not keen. He’s still young and not sure he’s ever been given a proper go at Sarries with the rather using Goode when Farrell was unavailable, there may of course be very good reasons for this

I’d take a punt on him! For what we are looking for, I think he ticks a lot of boxes.

He's 24 and made 79 appearances for Sarries with 49 starts. Hasn't made much impression.

I suspect he'll got and play ProD2 rugby over in France.

If we were looking for a starter, I’d agree with you. But as a second if not third choice? I’d say he would be a decent candidate for what we are after.

[baz1664]

Manu Vunipola to fill our 10 void?

I’ve suggested but others not keen. He’s still young and not sure he’s ever been given a proper go at Sarries with the rather using Goode when Farrell was unavailable, there may of course be very good reasons for this

Manu would be a perfect signing as an understudy to Pollard who wont be around all next season and probably be his last season with us. If they sell the number one 10 shirt in a year or so if he performs then could be the real deal. I think he has massive potential and English!!

[TigerFeetSteve]

I’d take a punt on him! For what we are looking for, I think he ticks a lot of boxes.

He's 24 and made 79 appearances for Sarries with 49 starts. Hasn't made much impression.

I suspect he'll got and play ProD2 rugby over in France.

If we were looking for a starter, I’d agree with you. But as a second if not third choice? I’d say he would be a decent candidate for what we are after.

Exactly, Shillcock probably gets the 22 spot with his versatility even if Vunipola starts when Pollard is away. So if he's happy being that fill in then I'd take him. Question is why's he looking leave Sarries, if it's because he's upset at not being given the shot at the 10 shirt now Farrell is leaving then he may overlook us for somewhere he can start