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

[Knightonian]

Spoke to Jasper in the ABC at the Black Lion's game about Beets and he said, and I quote, "we've got a good one there - he is a really good player". I smiled as he had said "We've" and he won't be here and "is" a good player not will become or is a real prospect which left me full of hope.

If he’s already clubman standard and got bags of potential hopefully we have him on a 5 to get to the next World Cup and beyond

[sam16111986]

Spoke to Jasper in the ABC at the Black Lion's game about Beets and he said, and I quote, "we've got a good one there - he is a really good player". I smiled as he had said "We've" and he won't be here and "is" a good player not will become or is a real prospect which left me full of hope.

If he’s already clubman standard and got bags of potential hopefully we have him on a 5 to get to the next World Cup and beyond

I think people's only concern about Beets is that he hasn't played senior rugby for the Bulls in the URC. He's clearly got pedigree winning Baby Boks player of the season. The Bulls backrow resources are simply ridiculous though, Hannekom who's likely to be capped this summer is a monster of an 8. Louw who's already capped and a good 6/8. Brink and van Stadden we already know about ditto Nizzam Carr (formerly Wasps), Jannes Kirsten (formerly Exeter) and Marcell Coetzee (formerly Ulster).

It's probably why Beets was looking for a move. If he's got the Jasper vote of confidence then we should be good.

[kpj tiger]

I notice Josh Poullet is leaving Notts, he seems to have been a player that we have relatively consistently called upon so I wonder if he could be coming in as depth?

[TigerFeetSteve]

With World Rugby seemingly confirming that Hanro is actually becoming EQP, that is probably quite useful in terms of recruitment.

We have Smith, Perese & Beets joining as non EQP

Leaving that are non EQP are Scott & Wiese (plus Carter and Powell mid season)

Certainly makes the likes of a Moroni re-signing more likely IMO

[RagingBull]

I do hope Tigers are planning some future options.
One for example is Junior Kopku at Racing 92 but played for England U20's. If he has eyes on England and Scotland try to force Henderson up north then he would be an ideal replacement. I would like him in general but he might not fancy being behind Martin, Chessum and Henderson.

Aim for the season after next (25/26) of
4. Martin, Kpoku, Wells, Marsh
5. Henderson, L.Chessum, Manz, Thomas
6. Chessum, Carnduff, Manz
7. Reffell, Ilione, Beddall
8. Hanro, Hatherell, Beets

Would actually have a lot of continuity IMO. Would also potentially allow a big name replacement for Cole if needed.

[longlivethecrumbie]

It may be just me, but, I've never been enthused by Hanro at 8. His performances haven't been bad, as such, but the pack seems under powered and he doesn't have the ball control at the base that a natural 8 has

[RagingBull]

I would've agreed with that when he first came.
But I thought he appearances in the last couple of seasons at 8 has been very good.
A lot down to the fact that Martin came in and brought that additional carrying option elsewhere.

I wouldn't want him at 8 without a player like Martin next to him. But Martin and Henderson as additional carrier imo would boost the pack massively.

Another option would be Martin at 8, but I just rate Martin's scrum power so much.

I do also hope that if we didn't renew Rogerson and Cracknell's contract next season we look to try and bring in a SA all rounder back rower.

[Leicestertinytiger]

Think it’s difficult to judge Hanro as he’s not had the best of seasons.

But if you’ve got Martin, Henderson, Chessum 456 then he’ll do just fine off the back of the scrum. Also if he’s targeting 8 for next season then he can always put on some pounds in the off season.

[Rugbygramps]

Think it’s difficult to judge Hanro as he’s not had the best of seasons.

But if you’ve got Martin, Henderson, Chessum 456 then he’ll do just fine off the back of the scrum. Also if he’s targeting 8 for next season then he can always put on some pounds in the off season.

I don’t think it’s his size that’s an issue plenty of 8s similar size or smaller. He doesn’t run over people like Wiese but if he can develop some footwork he can beat that first defender. That is only part of the 8s game and the rest, defensively, lineout option link play is all very good at.
There is something in my mind, probably incorrect, that at one time he had a shoulder/neck issue which prevented him from scrummaging at 8 or lock

[AViewFromLe2]

Given how many injuries we have picked up at lock and how attritional a position it is anyway, I am reluctant to go down the Chessum at 6 option, even though he's perfectly capable of playing there, as is Hanro at 8. We have 4 senior locks in Chessum, Martin, Henderson & Wells, plus the youngsters in Chessum and Manz in reserve - playing 3 senior locks at the same time, with the 4th on the bench, makes me feel a bit uneasy.

If we were to move Hanro to 8, I'd rather we had Carnduff at 6 and bring him through. Tbh I still feel Rogerson's best position is 6 anyway, so I'd rather we played him there and have a rotation policy amongst the 4 senior locks, than have Chessum at 6.

[westwinds31]

I notice Josh Poullet is leaving Notts, he seems to have been a player that we have relatively consistently called upon so I wonder if he could be coming in as depth?

I'd be amazed. Out of favour at Notts in the last season or 2, injury prone and coming to the end of his career I'd suggest.

[RagingBull]

Given how many injuries we have picked up at lock and how attritional a position it is anyway, I am reluctant to go down the Chessum at 6 option, even though he's perfectly capable of playing there, as is Hanro at 8. We have 4 senior locks in Chessum, Martin, Henderson & Wells, plus the youngsters in Chessum and Manz in reserve - playing 3 senior locks at the same time, with the 4th on the bench, makes me feel a bit uneasy.

If we were to move Hanro to 8, I'd rather we had Carnduff at 6 and bring him through. Tbh I still feel Rogerson's best position is 6 anyway, so I'd rather we played him there and have a rotation policy amongst the 4 senior locks, than have Chessum at 6.

I struggle to see how Chessum playing at 6 would affect the depth of lock position?

If a lock goes down injured he slides to lock and Carnduff to 6

[AViewFromLe2]

Given how many injuries we have picked up at lock and how attritional a position it is anyway, I am reluctant to go down the Chessum at 6 option, even though he's perfectly capable of playing there, as is Hanro at 8. We have 4 senior locks in Chessum, Martin, Henderson & Wells, plus the youngsters in Chessum and Manz in reserve - playing 3 senior locks at the same time, with the 4th on the bench, makes me feel a bit uneasy.

If we were to move Hanro to 8, I'd rather we had Carnduff at 6 and bring him through. Tbh I still feel Rogerson's best position is 6 anyway, so I'd rather we played him there and have a rotation policy amongst the 4 senior locks, than have Chessum at 6.

I struggle to see how Chessum playing at 6 would affect the depth of lock position?

If a lock goes down injured he slides to lock and Carnduff to 6

We have 4 senior locks. Having all 4 playing in an 80 minute game increases the chances of them getting injured, which seems silly given that we have Carnduff who is a specialist 6 ready to go. To me it is a better idea to rotate our locks and get the best out of them from there.

This is all a moot point anyway. Hatherall was name checked as an 8 in the Access All Areas event with McKellar and Wilkes. Unless we have a severe injury crisis over the summer, i can only see that Hatherall and Beets will be competing for the 8 shirt.

[sk 88]

A lot depends on how often we can get Henderson, Martin & Chessum all fit and in the same match day 23.

I would think that for the 5/6 spots in the match day 23 for second row, blindside, number 8 & possibly back row sub, if they were all fit everyone would have Henderson, Martin, Chessum & Liebenberg in the 23.

You can then argue the toss for Wells, Hatherhell, Carnduff, Ilione, Rogerson, Beets to fill the extra gaps and some times that will mean Liebenberg at 8 &/or Chessum at 6, sometimes it won't.

[drc_007]

I do hope Tigers are planning some future options.
One for example is Junior Kopku at Racing 92 but played for England U20's. If he has eyes on England and Scotland try to force Henderson up north then he would be an ideal replacement. I would like him in general but he might not fancy being behind Martin, Chessum and Henderson.

Aim for the season after next (25/26) of
4. Martin, Kpoku, Wells, Marsh
5. Henderson, L.Chessum, Manz, Thomas
6. Chessum, Carnduff, Manz
7. Reffell, Ilione, Beddall
8. Hanro, Hatherell, Beets

Would actually have a lot of continuity IMO. Would also potentially allow a big name replacement for Cole if needed.

Agree on Junior Kopek he looked very good in U20 6N. Your aims for 25/26 look excellent, I'd be surprised if Scotland don't try to entice Henderson north though.