Leicester Tigers 2014/15 Thread.

[Welly]

First topic message reminder :

Current Tables Positions:
 AP: 5th
 CC: 2nd in Group 3
 LV: 1st in Pool 3 

Last Game: V Bath @ Welford Road (Won 17 - 8) (Att: 24,000)
Next Game: V Harliquins @ Twickenham Stoop (15:15 KO) Sat 10 January 2015, (Live on BT Sport)


Official 1st XV squad 2014/15: ( Injured, Internationals, Suspension, "Knocked", )
 Head Coach/DoR: Richard Cockerill
 Assistant coaches: G. Murphy, R. Blaze, P.Blake,
 Captain: Ed Slater
 Props: Ayerza, Balmain, Bristow, Brugnara, Cole, Mulipola, Pasquali, Rizzo

 Hookers: Briggs, Ghiraldini, Thacker, Youngs .

 Locks: Deacon, De Cheves, Kitchener, Parling, Price, Slater, Thorn, Peterson

 Back Row: Barbieri, Crane, Croft, Gibson, Matera, Pearce, Salvi, Whetton

 Scrum Half: Harrison, Mele, Youngs

 Fly Half: Burns, Williams

 Centres: Allen, Bai , Heptema, Loamanu, Pohe, Roberts, Smith, Tuilagi ,

 Back 3: Benjamin, Camacho, Goneva, Hamilton, Morris, Scully, Tait, Thompstone, Bell

Development Players 2014/15:
 Oliver Bryant, George Catchpole, Jake Farnworth, Tom Hudson, Ed Milne, Will Owen, Aniseko Sio, George Tresidder, Rhys Williams.


 New Deals 2014/14
 Dan Cole (Long term)
 Marcos Ayerza (3 years)
 Tom Youngs (Long Term)
 Owen Williams
 Graham Kitchener
 Fraser Balmain
 Tiziano Pasquali
 Harry Thacker
 Riccardo Brugnara





 Transfers in 2014/15:
 Brad Thorn (Highlanders)
 Tommy Bell (Jersey)
 Jack Roberts (Rotherham Titans)
 Aaron Mauger (Canterbury Crusaders)
 Jack Whetton (ACT Brumbies)
 Greg Peterson (Manly)

 Transfers Out 2014/15:
 Paul Burke (N/A)
 Neil McCarthy (N?A)
 Mathew Tait (Bayonne)

 Rumours:
Nyanga -----> Leicester, Touion or Metro(http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 29,00.html)
Fonua ------> Leicester
Dusautoir ----> Leicester, Irish, Bath Saracens
Albacete -----> Leicester, Irish, Bath Saracens
(both https://twitter.com/pauleddison)
Liam williams -> Leicester (Rugby Paper)
Jerome Kaino --> Leicester
Willem Alberts --> Leicester (Gillingham)
Mike Williams ---> Leicester (Fissler)
Justin Tipuric --> Leicester (TRP)
 

Home tickets can be brought Here:

[b]Premiership rugby 7's[/b]:

Leicester Finish as Plate winners of the 2014 Premiership Sevens!!!!!!!!!

Pre-season games 2014 + friendlies:
 Sat Aug 16th 15:00: Nottingham v Leicester Tigers @ Lady Bay Sports Ground, Nottingham's training ground, in West Bridgford (Lost 26-19)
 Sat Aug 23th 14:00: Edinburgh V Leicester Tigers @ Melrose. (Won 10 -11)
 Fri  Aug 29th 19:30: Leicester Tigers V Cardiff Blues @ Welford Road (Won 21 - 17)
 Tues Nov 4th 19:30: Leicester Tigers V Barbarians @ Welford Road (Lost 26 - 59)

 Fixtures AP 2014/15:
R1: Saturday 06 /09/14, 15.00 – Newcastle Falcons (H) – Welford Road (Won 36 -17)   (Att: 22,639)
R2: Saturday 13/09/14, 15.15 – Exeter Chiefs (A) – Sandy Park (BT Sport) (Won 20 - 24)  (Att: 9,721)
R3: Saturday 20/09/14, 15.15 – Bath Rugby (A) – The Rec (BT Sport) ( Lost 45-0)  (Att: 12,817)
R4: Saturday 27/09/14, 15.00 – London Irish (H) – Welford Road (Lost 19-22)  (Att: 21,682)
R5: Saturday 04/10/14, 15.15 – Gloucester Rugby (A) – Kingsholm (BT Sport) (Lost 33 - 16)  (Att: 15,127)
R6: Friday 10/10/14, 19.45 – Harlequins (H) – Welford Road (BT Sport) (Won 22 - 16)  (Att: 21,510)
R7: Saturday 15/11/14 – 15.00 – Saracens (H) – Welford Road (BT Sport) (Draw 21 - 21) (Att: 21,680)
R8: Sunday 23/11/14 – 14.30 – London Welsh (A) – Kassam Stadium (BT Sport) (Won 5 - 26) (Att: 3,249)
R9: Saturday 29/11/14, 15.00 – Wasps (H) – Welford Road (Won 18 - 16) (Att: 21,907)
R10: Saturday 20/12/14 15.00 – Northampton Saints (A) – Franklin's Gardens (Lost 23 - 19) (Att: 13, 362)
R11: Saturday 27/12/14, 14.00 – Sale Sharks (A) – AJ Bell Stadium (Won 30 - 32) (Att: 11, 247)
R12: Saturday 03/01/15, 15.00 – Bath Rugby (H) – Welford Road (Won 17 - 8) (Att: 24,000)
R13: Saturday 10/01/15, 15.15 – Harlequins (A) – Twickenham Stoop
R14: Saturday 14//02/15, 15.00 – Gloucester Rugby (H) – Welford Road
R15: Saturday 21/02/15, 15.00 – London Irish (A) – Madejski Stadium
R16: Saturday 28/02/15, 15.00 – Sale Sharks (H) – Welford Road
R17: Sunday 08/03/15, 15.00 – Newcastle Falcons (A) – Kingston Park
R18: Saturday 28/03/15, 15.00 – Exeter Chiefs (H) – Welford Road
R19: Saturday 11/04/15, 15.00 – Saracens (A) – Allianz Park
R20: Saturday 25/04/15, 15.00 – London Welsh (H) – Welford Road
R21: Sunday 10/05/15, 14.00 – Wasps (A) – Adams Park
R22: Saturday 16/05/15, tbc – Northampton Saints (H) – Welford Road
Fixtures in Rounds 1-6 are confirmed. From Round 7 onwards they are subject to television selections.

 Champions Cup pool + Fixtures 2014/15:
 Pool 3
 Toulon
 Leicester Tigers
 Ulster
 Scarlets.

European Champions Cup fixtures
Round 1: Saturday, October 18 (7.45pm) Leicester Tigers v Ulster Rugby (Won 25 -18) (Att: 19,943)
Round 2: Saturday, October 25 (7.45pm) Scarlets v Leicester Tigers (Lost 15 - 3) (Att: 8,235)
Round 3: December 5/6/7 Leicester Tigers v RC Toulon (Won 25 - 21) (Att: 22,114)
Round 4: December 12/13/14 RC Toulon v Leicester Tigers (Lost 23 - 8) (Att: 15, 045)
Round 5: January 16/17/18 Leicester Tigers v Scarlets
Round 6: January 23/24/25 Ulster Rugby v Leicester Tigers

 
LV Cup

 Pool 3
Leicester Tigers
Wasps
Newcastle Falcons
Scarlets

 LV Cup fixtures
 Round 1: Saturday, November 1 (3:00PM) London Irish V Leicester Tigers (Won 16 - 17) (Att: 5,131)
 Round 2: Sunday, November 8 (3:10PM)  Leicester Tigers V Sale sharks ((Won 29 - 13)) (Att:)
 Round 3: 30/31 Jan/ 1 February Leicester Tigers V Northampton Saints
 Round 4: 6/7/8 February Cardiff blues V Leicester Tigers

 
Fixtures
Round 1 - 31 October/01/02 November: London Irish v Leicester Tigers
Round 2 - 07/08/09 November: Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks - Sunday, November 9, KO 15:15. Live on Sky Sports
Round 3 - 30/31 January/01 February: Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
Round 4 - 06/07/08 February: Cardiff Blues v Leicester Tigers
Semi Finals - 13/14/15 March
LV= Cup Final - 22 March (venue to be confirmed)

 

[b]A League Fixtures[/b]:

 
 Academy Squad 2014/15:
 

Spoiler:

[Welly]

Richard Blaze in the merc today:

 
Leicester will be without the eight men who have been working with Stuart Lancaster's England squad at the start of this week, while Dan Cole continues his rehabilitation from a neck injury.
That means there is plenty of scope for director of rugby Richard Cockerill and his coaching staff to run the rule over the rest of the Leicester squad and see how they are shaping up after the first few weeks of hard work on the training ground.
"It is the same as most years," said Blaze, who took the opportunity this summer to take a look at how South Africa's Blue Bulls and Australian outfit Queensland Reds go about their business.
"Our first game tends to be without the guys who have played during the summer so we get to look at the rest of the squad."
Some of those will be players who have come through the Welford Road academy – or are still involved – and Blaze welcomes that as an important sign of progress for the youngsters.
"Some senior guys will be involved against Nottingham but it is good to see the guys who have graduated from the academy," he said.
"They deserve their chance to go out and play. We are looking at the whole squad with the main focus being on Newcastle and the first week of the season."


Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Supporters-looking-forward-new-season/story-22727616-detail/story.html#ixzz3AMG4VTY4

 
 So going off that wouldn't mind seeing a staring lineup of:
  1) Rizzo/Bristow
  2) Briggs/Thacker
  3) Balmain
  4) Kitchener
  5) De Cheves
  6) Gibson/Mafi
  7) Owen
  8) Crane
  9) Harrison
10) Bai
11) Catchpole
12) Pohe/Hepetema
13) Smith
14) Thompstone
15) Loamanu

Subs (Going off they usually have a 2nd team nearly for PS games#0
 Thacker/Briggs
 Franworth
 Bristow/Brugnara
 Sio
 Pasquali
 Price
 Gibson/Mafi
 Milne
 Tresidder
 Bryant
 Hepetema/Pohe
 R.Williams
 D.Williams

 Really happy to see the potential our young backs have.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Blaze was a cracking player, shame he retired so early

[LondonTiger]

Blaze was a cracking player, shame he retired so early

Indeed. Still only 29 now, he could/should have been the big lock forward many want England to be playing.

[Welly]

Added to OP
European Champions Cup fixtures
Round 1: Saturday, October 18 (7.45pm) Leicester Tigers v Ulster Rugby
Round 2: Saturday, October 25 (7.45pm) Scarlets v Leicester Tigers
Round 3: December 5/6/7 Leicester Tigers v RC Toulon
Round 4: December 12/13/14 RC Toulon v Leicester Tigers
Round 5: January 16/17/18 Leicester Tigers v Scarlets
Round 6: January 23/24/25 Ulster Rugby v Leicester Tigers


 Also good luck to Ayerza and Matera who are starting (@ 1 and 6) against SA, don't get injured.

[Welly]

Steve Mafi Western Froce.


 Really upset.

 But isn't a surpised TBH, young family.

[Guest]

Yeah after all that happened last year I was expecting him to go. Sad to see him go because he's been fantastic but it's great that he'll be with his family. Plus if this increases the chance of keeping Pablo then that's fine by me, I try not to get carried along by the hype but I really feel like in a couple of years he could be something incredible. Will be very difficult holding on to him though.

[formerly known as Sam]

That's been a rumour for a long time. He's stated he wanted to repay the faith the club showed in him. It's not on the website as yet, where did you see the confirmation?

[Jimpy]

Tigers are heavily stocked with back-rowers.
 
6. Croft & Gibson
7. Salvi & Matera
8. Crane & Barbieri
 
Steve will be missed, I reckon he would walk into most teams in Europe. But Tigers have four full internationals and two 'A' internationals available in the back three before they even need to look at development options (Pearce) or academy options. I would like to see them hold on to the cash to enable a response to an injury crisis in any one position, rather than bring in a player they probably won't need.

[Welly]

Brad thorn ---------> Tigers

 So I would guess push comes to shove that Slater would cover 6 as well.

 Wonder if Cockers thinks Slater will be more involved with England.

[formerly known as Sam]

I'd still rather we developed de Chaves and Price than let them watch from the sidelines and leave at the end of the season when Thorn retires.

[Welly]

I'd still rather we developed de Chaves and Price than let them watch from the sidelines and leave at the end of the season when Thorn retires.

 Depends on your view.

 during the AI we will be missing Ayerza, Parling, Mulipola, Rizzo and Ghiraldini and potentially Youngs and Slater.

 That would leave a front 5 squad of

 LH: Bristow, Brugnara
  H: Briggs, Thacker
 TH: Balmain, Pasquali
 SR: Kitchener, Deacon, Thorn, De Cheves, Price

 Now during that time we will be playing in the AP, Saracens (H), Welsh (A), Wasps (H).

 I would feel safer seeing Deacon/Thorn on the bench coming on with a very inexperienced front row of Brugnara, Thacker, Pasquaili then an equally inexperienced De Cheves and Price.

 Same with the 6N's.

 Honestly if I was a yound  second row and had the chance to train and play with a second row like Thorn or Matfield I would love it, and i'm sure Blaze will learn a thing or 2.

[formerly known as Sam]

During that period we could put out:

1. Mulipola
2. Briggs
3. Balmain
4. Deacon
5. Kitchener
6. Gibson
7. Salvi
8. Crane

Bench - Bristow, Thacker, Pasquali, de Chaves, Pearce

Where in that do we need another lock? That's on the premise both Slater and Parling are in the England match day squad (unlikely). An experienced backrow or versatile prop might be more useful. Though Sio is also about. Not even included Price.

[Welly]

Mulipola will be away.

[LondonTiger]

I do not want Brad Thorn to join. He will not be cheap and a complete waste of money on a position we have strength in depth.

[Welly]

How do you lot know how much he is on, I doubt he is expensive.

 The only area lacking in depth is prop, but they will nearly impossible to get this time of the season.

 Back row we are fine for.

 TBH wouldn't be surprised if he came to us purely to aim and get the AP Title so he might have taken a pay cut thing. Who knows expect the club

 I'm sure if cockers knew this before off season he would have tried and target a like for like but it didn't work like that.

 I blame Armitage news and the Olympic loophole TBH.

[formerly known as Sam]

Mulipola won't necessarily represent Samoa. At tighthead there are the two Johnston bothers for starters. Samoa has plenty of massive options there. At 27 he has 17 caps at the same age Dan Cole has 45.

Either way I don't see the point in another lock. Surely we can pilfer something better than a 39 year old with no positional versatility who will stop our young locks getting game time.

[Welly]

Mulipola has since the end of his first season at Tigers played in every major game for samoa (when fit) and has started in 6 out the 7 games he has played in that period, mainly @ LH but also @ TH.

 So I reckon he will be in the 23.

[formerly known as Sam]

I certainty think he should. He seemed to be a bit out of favour previously. Sounds like they've clued up. Shame for us.

Bristow, Briggs, Balmain
Sio, Thacker, Pasquali

Still good options at a time when a lot of clubs will be missing players.

Wasps always tend to trip us up in international periods. Sarries will be missing a host of players. Welsh we should be able to see of even with their new found set piece skills.

[Welly]

there are certainly good options considering who we are missing.

 Wasps I don't think will miss many forwards to the AI's.

 Welsh I don't know how that will go tbh depends on how they clicked.

 Saracens hopefully will be missing Vunipola's, Brits, Johnson and Brown so should be evenish.

[formerly known as Sam]

Sarries should have a far weaker midfield due to the call ups so as long as we get parity up front we should be able to win the there. They'll have the aging Hodgson whilst we'll have Williams and Allen.

[Welly]

Leicester team

 1) Brigston (must mean Bristow)
 2) Briggs
 3) Balmain
 4) Wells (great to see him back now)
 5) Price
 6) Croft
 7) Gibson
 8) Crane
 9) Harrison
10) Bai
11) R.Williams
12) Pohe
13) Smith
14) D.Williams
15) Morris

16) Farnworth
17) Brugnara
18) Pasquali
19) Sio
20) Barbieri
21) Owen
22) Tresidder
23) Bryant
24) C.Thacker


Nottingham squad to face Leicester Tigers:
15) Billy Robinson
14) Conor Bullivant
13) Edward Styles
12) Joe Munro
11) Liam O'Neill
10) Will Maisey
9)   Cameron Lee-Everton
1)   Campese Ma'afu
2)   Jon Vickers
3)   Michael Holford
4)   Toby Freeman
5)   Dan Montagu
6)   Tom Calladine
7)   Brent Wilson (c)
8)   Paul Grant
Replacements:
16) Conor Carey
17) Shaun Malton
18) Rupert Cooper
19) Matt Everard (he was a Leicester lad wasn't he?)
20) Josh Poullet
21) Alex Smit
22) Jacob Knight
23) Corey Venus
24) Jay Heath
25) Jack Partington

[Welly]

Missed Penalty -  Bai (3mins)
Try -- D.Williams con - Bai (5mins) (0-7)
Missed Pen - Maisey (11 Mins)
Nottingham sub - Lee-everton (off) --- Alex Smit (on)(22 Mins)
Missed Pen - Maisey (22 Mins)
Try -- Grant Con - Maisey (30 Mins)
Try -- O'Neil Con Missed - Maisey (37 Mins)
Try -- Balmain Con Missed - Bai  (40 Min)

Current score 12-12

End of First Half

[Welly]

End of first half Nottingham dominant with Possession and Territory.
 Leicester working well around the tight areas.

[Welly]

Second Half begins
Nottingham sub - Maisey (Off) ---> Knight (On) (40 Mins)
Nottingham sub - Bullivant (off) ---> Venus (On)(40 Mins)
Try -- Smit Con - Knight (48 Mins)
Try -- O'Neil Con - Knight (52 Mins)
YC -- Calladine (18 Mins)
Try -- Harrison Con - Bai (27 Mins)





Current Score: 26-19 Nottingham

[Welly]

FT: Nottingham 26 - 19 Leicester.
 Been some stuff I have missed and will fill in later.

[formerly known as Sam]

Great to see Wells back. He would be my preferred replacement for Mafi.

Not a bad result considering that's largely our A side with a few first teamers dropped in (the backrow). In response that's Notts first team.

[Welly]

Watching matera play against SA, he needs to be a regular for us in the 23. Either at 6 or 7 or 20, he is a beast.

And ayerza has been destroying the SA TH.

[formerly known as Sam]

Feel sorry for the Pumas. The Boks have been popping up or dropping on the engagement when under pressure and getting away with it. Ayerza has been awesome.

Matera is developing into a real animal. Physically he is a beast and he is starting to learn the details of the game. As he becomes more savvy he becomes more of a viable option. Last season he was a beast but a beast that was liable to give away stupid penalties. He cuts that out and starts successfully stealing ball and we're quids in. I'd like to see him on the bench getting experience and game time as he can cover the backrow. Needs to outshine the very reliable Gibson first though.

[Geordie]

ISnt Croft and Gibson a little lightweight to both play on the flanks?

Add in Price (am i right in thinking he's that 6'10 bean pole) and theres not alot of power in there. Only Crane.
Is Wells any relation to John?

[Welly]

ISnt Croft and Gibson a little lightweight to both play on the flanks?

Add in Price (am i right in thinking he's that 6'10 bean pole) and theres not alot of power in there. Only Crane.
Is Wells any relation to John?

 Apparently Gibson looked a step behind in terms of class, but I think that is rust.

 He has played there for Irish a fair amount.

 Wells isn't a relation of John,

[Jimpy]

Great to see Wells back. He would be my preferred replacement for Mafi.

Not a bad result considering that's largely our A side with a few first teamers dropped in (the backrow). In response that's Notts first team.

Nonetheless, i would have expected to Tigers to beat Nottingham. Bit disappointing that they didn't.

[Welly]

Nonetheless, i would have expected to Tigers to beat Nottingham. Bit disappointing that they didn't.

 Well it sounded like Rhys Williams had a bad day at the office in defence.

 The new guys sounded good, Bai being the one to impress most in the backs.

 TBH I think Nottingham are going to be a top 4 championship side, and I think they will push on for promotion fight in the next 5 years.


 Next week will be more important as I expect as stronger team out against Edinburgh.

[Welly]

Doncaster preseason friendly cancelled by Tigers.

 Statement

 http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/20456.php#.U_Hm5BEg8dU

[formerly known as Sam]

Price has been bulking up a fair bit of late. Wells is an aggressive and abrasive player. From what I heard we did quite well in the scrum and the tight. Certainly lacking ball carrying grunt. I think this game was just about getting players onto the pitch. Seeing where some of the young guys and players recovering from injury are.

My boss at work raved about Bryant when he came off the bench. With him at 10 and Bai at 12 we looked a better threat. Apparently Pohe was drawing cries of "work" from the Tigers bench.

[Welly]

Heard similar:
Apparently
Bryant looking very promising
Bai was a class above
Pohe wasn't running for Bai supports lines hope he bucks up as he is a strong runner maybe he should be viewed more of a 13. I want to see more of Hepetema at 12.
Rhys Williams defence needs bucking up. But he is still only 18.

[formerly known as Sam]

I don't think Pohe has the pace to play 13. I think he'll be steeped and down for pace on the outside too often. Hempetema I'm not sure about. Seems a bit of a sick note and not the best defensively. Think Bai might prove to be an astute signing.

Hope we see some of Bryant during the LV Cup. He was injured all last season so it'll be interesting if he can make a mark.

[Welly]

Hepetema rue minds me of a bigger bowden.

When I first saw him play it was @ 13 and I wasn't sure about it.

But when he played 12 in one of the later LV cup games he looked very promising and dangerous.

I think another season at the tigers grind and he could be up there IMO, I think he can become a bigger and younger last season Bowden in a couple of seasons.

Well pohe needs to learn to stay on the 10 shoulders if he makes a run.

[Welly]

two pieces of News:

 1) Brad Thorn is officially a Tiger
 https://twitter.com/martin_crowson/status/501706442232328192

 2) The Edinburgh V Leicester game will be Officially streamed from this site
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/rugby/watch-edinburgh-rugby-glasgow-warriors-4073322

[George Carlin]

Holy moly. Brad Thorn. He'll turn 40 whilst with the Tigers.

The Jeff must be about the only thing he hasn't won.

[Welly]

Ed Slater out till at least October

[chewed_mintie]

My interest in the Tigers has rocketed - Brad Thorn is one of my all time favourite players. Absolute legend of the game and without doubt the best of all the League to Union converts.

[Welly]

Cockrill has said this morning apparently that this will be thorns last season and that Thorn couldn't care less about the money and wants to go out with a bang in the AP and the Champions Cup an is here to fight for a starters shirt.

Also said Thorn is in amazing shape.

I am excited, and hearing all the right things.

[brennomac]

Did great for us in Leinster when he came in on a short-term contract the year we won the HC last - if he does half as well for Tigers then he'll be a great signing

[formerly known as Sam]

If Ed is injured then it makes sense to bring in another leader and enforcer. Poor Ed he has fantastic for us last season and it was criminal he only got a midweek start for England . Hope he recovers quickly.

[George Carlin]

Thorn's CV really is amazing:

A. Rugby League

1. Super League winner 1997
2. 1997 World Club Championship winner
3. NRL titles in 1998, 2000, and 2006
4. State of Origin - 14 appearances for Queensland, 2 State of Origin titles
5. International - played 8 Tests for the Kangaroos

B. Rugby Union

1. NPC titles 2001 and 2004
2. Ranfurly Shield winner
3. Super Rugby winner in 2008
4. Bledisloe Cup 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011
5. Tri-Nations titles 2003, 2008 and 2010 (undefeated in 2003 and 2010)
6. 'Grand Slam' over home nations, 2008 and 2010
7. World Cup winner 2011
8. International - 59 Test Matches for the All Blacks (win ratio of 86.44%)
9. Heineken Cup winner 2012

I also read that he just wanted the challenge of playing in England and that he always planned to retire at 40.

[Welly]

Awards
Brisbane Broncos, 1994 Rookie of the Year
Brisbane Broncos award for Best Forward, 1997, 2000 and 2006
Brisbane Broncos award for Most Consistent, 2005
Brisbane Broncos award for Defence Play of the Year, 2007
Identified as one of the Broncos' 20 best players to play for the club[
Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia's international standing in rugby league
Nominee for the 2010 New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year (the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Trophy)

[Welly]

Bakkies v Thorn in a champions cup game.

Has a Rocky film potential.

[Jimpy]

Despite the strength in the team, it still seems that Tigers will be missing key players/signings for the start of the season. God forbid they should ever have a full compliment at season's start, they'd have a home play-off spot sewn up by Christmas.

[Geordie]

Shame for Slater.

[chewed_mintie]

Bakkies v Thorn in a champions cup game.

Has a Rocky film potential.

Thorn has always been a better player than Bakkies, more aggressive and far more of an enforcer - even at this stage of his career (I'd still have him in the AB's). Though their showdowns were classic! I believe they are good friend off the pitch, due to their likeness on the pitch and shared religious beliefs

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