Fantasy Aviva Premiership Final

First topic message reminder :

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Leicester Tigers vs. Harlequins
at Twickenham

Sunny Intervals, 11 degrees, 19 mph winds.


Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Stephen Moore	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Nathan Hines	11. Rene Ranger
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Brian O'Driscoll
07. Francois Louw	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Isa Nacewa

16. Tom Youngs 17. Gethin Jenkins 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Geoff Parling 20. James Scaysbrook 22. Micky Young 22. Kurtley Beale 23. Ugo Monye

Play to our strengths and play a game built around our intelligent HB's controlling the game, using our very heavy pack (18st per player vs Quins 17st per player) - then look to get the runners in our back line into space.

Key Points:

Experience and Control at 2, 8, 9, 10 For Big Game
In a massive final like this, we have huge amounts of experience and intelligence in these key positions and we will aim to really control the game. Yach and Wilko to control the tempo of the game and where it is played. Quins lack real authority and control in these key decisions-making positions.

Use our Huge Pack to our Advantage
With a weight advantage of around 1 stone per man in the pack, and the likes of Twelvetrees and Ranger in the backline, we feel we can really out-power Quins. Use the strength in our team, dictated by our HB's, to dominate the opposition physically.

Target Burns and Biggs
We will consistently send the likes of SOB, Louw, Horwill and Hines down Quins' 10 channel and look to go straight through Burns. Look to really test Biggs' positional game with Yach and Wilko testing him with kicks in behind, and BOD and Clerc using their nous to test him in attack.

General Tactics:

- Yach and Wilko to control proceedings - but we're not here to kick the ball away. We have the personnel in our side to play a mixture of different styles, and we will play the game as we see it.

- In attacking play, we will play with the option of 2 first receivers in Wilko and Twelvetrees. Keep Quins guessing with our attacking options.

- Use the different style of runners in our backline. With the likes of BOD, Nacewa and Clerc we have exciting runners, and in Twelvetrees and Ranger some bigger runners. Mix up how we want to attack.

- Attack all scrums with our huge pack - Really look to get the shove on and if we are getting the advantage keep applying the pressure. Moore and Cole in particular to go hard on Woodcock and Brits.

- Target the lineout - led by Horwill. Big jumpers throughout the back five and we will mix up which jumpers we throw to on a consistent basis. Attack on all lineouts with the likes of Horwill and Joubert targeting Brits' throwing.
Shortened lineouts with Louw in midfield as crash/decoy option.

- Physical, abrasive pack made up of massive line-breakers. The likes of SOB, Horwill, Louw, Hines, Joubert and Moore to be used to win the collisions in attack. Play an offloading game.

- We will look to employ a blitz defence, focusing on a quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline, and look to win the collisions in defence. Yachvili to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Wilkinson to kick all penalties.


Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Lee Dickson
02. Schalk Brits	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Biggs
05. Steve Borthwick (c)	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Tom Wood	13. Florian Fritz
07. Michael Hooper	14. Yoann Huget
08. Pierre Spies	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Joe Marler 18. Juan Figallo 19. George Kruis 20. Nick Easter 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Quade Cooper 23. Jonathan Joseph

Tactics

Game Plan

The basis of our game plan is to starve Leicester of the ball. We will look to retain possession and only kick the ball away when we are inside Wilkinson’s kicking range. We have packed our side with strong ball carriers who are comfortable taking the ball into contact and getting through a lot of carrying throughout the game.

These ball retention tactics will be employed differently depending on field position. In our own 22 we will look to clear to touch and look for our lineout led by Borthwick to really pressure the Leicester lineout. When we are in outside of our 22 but inside Wilkinson’s kicking range we will look to kick towards Ranger and Clerc using up and unders to test them as well as kicking behind them to test their kicking games. It is key that when we kick that we kick towards the wingers, as the windy conditions will make it tough under the high ball.

In the Leicester half we will not kick the ball. We will use our strong carriers in the pack to punch holes off 9 and 10 before with the intention of getting across the gainline and tieing in Leicester defenders. Dickson will control the direction of our attacks until Burns see’s the space outside and unleashes our backs with the Leicester defence disorganised. We have deliberately picked a pack with numerous line breakers and strong carriers, along with a bench packed with strong carriers up front. When the Leicester defence is organised we will look to shift the ball just before contact so as to hit a gap and get across the gain line. We will aim to move the Leicester pack around the field as we feel we are much more mobile as an 8.

Forwards

Up front we are looking for our pack to put continual pressure on their opponents. With ball in hand we are looking to carry the ball at pace, in numbers with the intention of winning the collisions and continue to pump the legs in contact and get across the gain line, setting the target for us to recycle to ball quickly at the breakdown. It is key for us to carry in numbers so that we can have a quick ruck, neutralise any Leicester players at the breakdown and get the ball away quickly. It also allows us the options for the offload should be break the line and it is on.

At the set piece we will look to exert pressure on Leicester and drive home any advantage we have over the opposition. At the scrum we will look for an immediate put in if we have won the hit so we can continue the drive, whilst if Leicester win the hit we will delay and look for a free kick or a penalty from the ref for an early drive. At the lineout we will look for Borthwick to control it as he has done all season. There are few better at stealing the ball that him and without a genuine world class lineout exponent in the Tiger’s pack, we are looking for him to put huge pressure of Leicester's throw. Botha, Wood and Spies will also look to pressure Tiger’s. On our own ball we will often use a shortened line with Hooper and Spies joining midfield to offer more options.

Key for our forwards is controlling the ruck. On our own ball we will hit the rucks hard and get rid of any Leicester threat. The closest men to the ruck will hit it as it is key for us not getting turned over. We don’t want to overcommit with ideally only 3 men needed to clear the ruck but we will use as many men as required to retain the ball.

Backs

Dickson and Burns will control our game. Dickson will control our pack and direction of our attacks whilst Burns will stand flat, test the Tiger’s defence at put others into space. In the midfield we have Roberts and Fritz who will cut lines all day to keep Leicester's midfield honest. We will specifically look to get Fritz running a hard decoy line at BOD’s inside shoulder so that we can isolate the Leicester wingers who we feel can be got at defensively and Kearney hitting a line behind Fritz trying to get a 2 on 1 with the Leicester winger. Roberts will be looking to hit the line hard and look to get across the gain line keeping his arms free and looking for the offload when it’s on.

Defence

We will look to employ a very quick defensive line where we put huge pressure on Wilkinson and the other key Leicester decision makers. We will be looking to double up in the tackle with one man taking the legs and the other the ball, and are determined to win the collisions.

At the breakdown we will look to get the turnover. If we can’t get the turnover we will look to legally slow the ball down and make it difficult for Yach.

It is absolutely key that we maintain our discipline, especially in our own half.

Key Points

- Retain the ball in Leicester half and use strong carriers to tie in defenders before spreading the ball wide.

- In our own half we kick directly to touch if we can or we kick to the Tiger’s wingers, either behind them or using up and unders.

- Look to get big runners In BOD’s channel so he can’t drift and we can isolate Leicester’s wingers.

- We have real impact on our bench. If we are chasing the game then we bring on Cooper at 10. If we are ahead and looking to close out then we bring on Laidlaw at 9. The other changes will be used when required.

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Yeah, no probs with that Steve, likewise Luke, I'll not put a time limit on getting the team in, just as soon as you can.

Where we at with your team updates Luke?

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Tom Youngs	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. James Horwill (c)	11. Ugo Monye
05. Geoff Parling	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Francois Louw	13. Rene Ranger
07. James Scaysbrook	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Sean O'Brien	15. Isa Nacewa

22. Micky Young 22. Kurtley Beale

Tactics:

Play as we have all season. HBs to control the game, win both the territory and possession statistics. All new international front row to really get the shove on at every opportunity. Target the old, tired legs in Quins' second row. We have taken off the likes of Hines and BOD due to age. Massive carriers in pack to play an offloading game. Use Ranger to exploit holes on tiring Quins back line. Wilkinson to kick all penalties and look for drop goals. Wilko vs Cooper in a pressure environment - only one winner.

Steve is showing as online, so as requested I will give some time for him to do tactics. Steve, if you can get them in by 1 I will open predos then.

We will look to continue to play as we have done. Laidlaw will control our tempo and direction. Cooper to put others into space and use our big carriers. Look to continue to keep the ball in the Leicester half and target the Leicester wingers with our kicks.

yach and wilko will now be fatigued after a draining game. we have fresh men in key positions who won't be suffering from fatigue and will be fresh of mind and body. A lot to ask of Wilko and yach to run the show in a game with such a high intensity and physicality.

Ozzy3213 wrote:

Teams to be named by midnight on Thursday 23rd May 2013.

Predictions by 20:00 hours on Sunday 26th May 2013.

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Leicester Tigers vs. Harlequins
at Twickenham

Sunny Intervals, 11 degrees, 19 mph winds.


Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Tom Youngs	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. James Horwill (c)	11. Ugo Monye
05. Geoff Parling	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Francois Louw	13. Rene Ranger
07. James Scaysbrook	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Sean O'Brien	15. Isa Nacewa

22. Micky Young 22. Kurtley Beale

Tactics:

Play as we have all season. HBs to control the game, win both the territory and possession statistics. All new international front row to really get the shove on at every opportunity. Target the old, tired legs in Quins' second row. We have taken off the likes of Hines and BOD due to age. Massive carriers in pack to play an offloading game. Use Ranger to exploit holes on tiring Quins back line. Wilkinson to kick all penalties and look for drop goals. Wilko vs Cooper in a pressure environment - only one winner.


Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Ben Franks	09. Greig Laidlaw
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Quade Cooper
03. Juan Figallo
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Biggs
05. Steve Borthwick (c)	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Tom Wood	13. Florian Fritz
07. Michael Hooper	14. Yoann Huget
08. Nick Easter	15. Rob Kearney

Remaining Subs: 19 George Kruis. 23. Jonathan Joseph.

Tactics

First of all we have brought on fresh player in key positions. We are fresh in the front row and at 8, 9 and 10. With Easter and Laidlaw, we have players who will control our game well and in Cooper we have a magician who can exploit the gaps which will be present. In defence, Laidlaw will defend at 10 with Cooper sweeping as a 2nd full back.

If its allowed, I will add some brief game-related tactics when I see Luke's side, as it makes a considerable difference.

We will look to continue to play as we have done. Laidlaw will control our tempo and direction. Cooper to put others into space and use our big carriers. Look to continue to keep the ball in the Leicester half and target the Leicester wingers with our kicks.

yach and wilko will now be fatigued after a draining game. we have fresh men in key positions who won't be suffering from fatigue and will be fresh of mind and body. A lot to ask of Wilko and yach to run the show in a game with such a high intensity and physicality.

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There we go folks, we have the teams for the start of extra time, so if we can have your extra time predictions from a full time score of 26-26 please. I can leave predictions open until midday on Wednesday, but if we can get them in as soon as possible I would be grateful.

Leicester Tigers 35-32 Harlequins

Feel Tigers have got stronger in the set piece and can up the tempo in the tight carries with subs coming on. Quins 2nd row fading somewhat in extra time with no replacement. After a predominately slower tempo territorial battle for the 80 minutes Yach & Wilko still with some gas left should get the better of Laidlaw & Cooper in the territorial battle this looks to be.

This extra time period will rely on clever kicking, stamina, experience and a possible splash of magic. After the dilution of the match up with the benches adding some differing variables, Quins have a bit more game control with the calming influence of Laidlaw, and some more support in the forward battle. Cooper is guaranteed to create a crucial try for his side and make some other opportunities, but being a liability in some of defence will hurt his side a little. Beale will match the magic touch creating a try from nothing on a counter. Tigers forward replacements are also quality, but like in the full 80 minutes, I just feel that there is a little more control and nous from the Tigers to keep their noses ahead. Great final.

Leicester Tigers 36 - 35 Harlequins

Leicester 36-39 Quins

Cooper magic against tired legs.
In New Orleans so no
Time to post much more.

Tigers 35 - 37 Quins
Tough to call, pack for Tigers is strong and engine room for Quins could suffer a little (Botha/Borthwick could fatigue a bit) and give away a few pens that Wilko will take, but still not sure where a try will come from as Quins defence is very solid still.

Cooper coming on is huge for Quins, can see him stealing the show in extra time and against tired legs can see Quins getting a try here and just winning a great final, with the two best teams in the league.

37-35

Tigers 32-36 Quins
In extra time I feel Tigers have made their front five stronger with the second row Quins combo especially struggling. Quins have a very strong back row. Feel the half back combo is key in extra time and can see Quins with the advantage here especially with tiring Tigers.

Leicester Tigers 35-38 Harlequins

Tigers 41-37 Quins

Think Tigers have the better forwards to bring on and get them the win with Wilko's boot.

Just waiting on driver now then. I can only leave it open until midday, so if anyone has contact with him elsewhere then tell him to get predicting please.

No sign of Driver, I'm going to have to total up.

Given his predo could change the outcome of the final, could someone else tally up when it is in?

I take it from that you've worked out the result as it stands? I can leave it until I am heading to the airport later, which will be about 6.

I think its within one predo each. Haven't done the maths just ;looked through. No worries if not mate.

It would be good to get a full set so it is a full representation as such.

but understand if you wanna get it done before heading away Pete.

Quins 26 Tigers 32

Been swamped all week dudes

Ok.

RESULT


Leicester Tigers 38 Harlequins 38


Penalties is it then.

From the last time we had a draw final, penalty deciders were...

1. head to head (1)
2. head to head (2)
3. most tries scored
4. least tries conceded
5. most points scored
6. least points conceded
7. most bonus points
8. most wins
9. least losses

Decider if it is still a tie after that is highest league placing wins.

Without head to head I make it: 4-2 to Tigers with the tries scored the same!

With head to head it4 5-3 to Tigers.

Congrats luke and good effort steve!!

Good work on organising again Ozzy

Congratulations Luke and commiserations Steve nothing between the two of ye over the season!

Enjoy Pete!

Wow close as it could have been. Hard luck Steve mate.

Congrats Luke

Great final lads Shame it was settled by a technicality really.

Well done luke. Deserved as you lead all season and were the best team

Congrats Luke and unlucky Steve!

Two best teams in the league over the season.