LEICESTER TIGERS 2023/24 - Crocodile McKeller: Men at Work

[Rugbygramps]

Already being widely discussed on the injuries, suspensions etc. thread

[kpj tiger]

Jasper confirmed to be departing, absolutely gutted

https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/ja ... -24-season

[GB72]

Jasper confirmed to be departing, absolutely gutted

https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/ja ... -24-season

OK that hurts, guess we could not get close enough to the money on offer elsewhere.

[GB72]

Also interesting to announce it so soon. I am guessing that the destination club is desperate to get this news out there.

[Rugbygramps]

Up there with the best 8s ever at the club, such a shame but understandable.
Rumour is he and number of other Boks are heading back to South Africa. The lure of lots of rand and heading back to his home land

Best of luck to him.
Do you think the Stormers lad from Sunday wants to do a swap

[Bge3095]

Gutting news. Can’t say I’ve seen many that can pierce the gain-line like Jasper

[Jimmy Skitz]

that's a shame, hopefully Hatherall will step up when he gets the chance

[sapajo]

Very unhappy that he decided to leave us. I worry over the quality of the players we have lost and continue to lose. That's Ford, Genge and now Wiese all gone. No8 was always a position we lacked quality in and Wiese was a diamond. Just hope we can recruit another diamond in the rough as we lack serious gain line busters. Hatherall is not in the same stratosphere. They say bad things happen in 3 we have had the injury to Henderson and now the exit of Wiese so I fear what's next?

[Rugbygramps]

Probably not a popular opinion but Barbeary would be the ideal like for like replacement if he could stay fit.

[johnthegriff]

Sorry he is going but we have Hatherell and possibly Martin that can move to eight. I also think that could be the best position going forward for Illeoni.

[Rugbygramps]

Sorry he is going but we have Hatherell and possibly Martin that can move to eight. I also think that could be the best position going forward for Illeoni.

Don’t disagree about Ilione though a more athletic player than Wiese. Now Martin has shown what a good lock he is can we just leave him there

[Tiglon]

Big loss for the club, I genuinely don't think we would have won the title without him. Difficult to think of anyone out there we could sign would be able to offer the same.

Barbeary, if he can stay fit, is the clear future at 8 for England IMO. I'd be very happy if we signed him, but his injury record might make him a big risk. Undeniably huge talent though.

Hatherall just isn't in the same league as Wiese, and has likely already reached his potential. Martin is probably better suited to lock, and Ilione doesn't seem like he has anywhere near the same physical presence, yet.

I would imagine that, with this outcome being a possibility for some time now, the club will already have a shortlist of potential replacements and it does sound like there is plenty of money to spend on the position.

Best of luck to Wiese, we've been fortunate to have a player with his attitude and ability at Tigers. The club have of course played a big part in his development from the indisciplined raw talent who arrived a few years ago to the world class player of today, but he's earnt his big payout and/or move back home.

[RunTigerRun]

Also interesting to announce it so soon. I am guessing that the destination club is desperate to get this news out there.

Possibly with where we are due to travel this weekend…?!

[Tigers86asw]

A huge loss. What is so hard to take is other clubs- mainly Saracens- always seem to keep hope of their key players and we seem to lose ours. It’s a pattern.

Tigers will be able to sell themselves as a team that creates world class forwards.

You also want value for money and that will be with raw unproven players. A tough search ahead.

Good luck to Jasper, a hell of a player but a giant hole to fill.

[Tigersunited]

Huge loss, semi retirement in Japan until the next World Cup?