RugbyRebels

Leicester: Steward; Porter, Taute, Scott, Simmons; Henry, Wigglesworth; Leatigaga, Youngs (capt), Cole, Wells, Green, Liebenberg, Brink, Wiese

Replacements: Clare, Bower, Heyes, Enever, Reffell, Taufua, White, Díaz Bonilla

Exeter: Cordero; Whitten, Hendrickson, Devoto, O'Flaherty; J Simmonds, Townsend; Moon, Yeandle (capt), Williams, Witty, Armand, Ewers, Kirsten, S Simmonds

Replacements: Innard, Kenny, Street, Price, Capstick, Maunder, Walsh, Hodge

Disappointing that we're not playing Reffell. We're clearly trying to meet Exeter fire-with-fire in that pack selection coupled with 6:2 bench, but I'd've thought there was a great deal of value in having a poacher to disrupt their grinding play in the 22.

Clare and Bower still look like real weaknesses in our XXIII, although on balance I think I'd rather face an Exeter side missing LCD, Francis, Gray, Hill, Slade, and Hogg, even if it would get us Genge, Mamu, Youngs, Ford, Nadolo, and Muri.

Puja

Is the Argie thug on international duty or has he left?

Oakboy wrote:Is the Argie thug on international duty or has he left?

Injured, I believe. Frankly, he's stealing a paypacket even when he's not injured right now, so I don't regard him as too much of a loss until he picks up his ideas.

Puja

Taufua on the bench again?

Puja wrote:

Oakboy wrote:Is the Argie thug on international duty or has he left?

Injured, I believe. Frankly, he's stealing a paypacket even when he's not injured right now, so I don't regard him as too much of a loss until he picks up his ideas.

Puja

And yet still the best lock at the club. To be honest, of the four senior locks I wouldn't be in the least bit bothered if two of them (Green and Enever) left.

Mikey, Taufua had a pretty nasty injury so easing him back in is probably a good idea.

The backrow didn't work last weekend so I have concerns there. Three massive blokes doesn't always bring balance. Good to see Bower isn't starting but I'm concerned he's still on the bench. He's just squad filler until Whitcombe is old enough to take his place. Shame the big Bok isn't ready yet.

Only thing that could go our way is if the ref harries the scrum halfs as Pearce has done tonight. Chiefs like to take their time and get their kicking game right. Less time to organise that might help us slightly.

FKAS wrote:

Puja wrote:

Oakboy wrote:Is the Argie thug on international duty or has he left?

Injured, I believe. Frankly, he's stealing a paypacket even when he's not injured right now, so I don't regard him as too much of a loss until he picks up his ideas.

Puja

And yet still the best lock at the club. To be honest, of the four senior locks I wouldn't be in the least bit bothered if two of them (Green and Enever) left.

IsHeThough.gif

He's not exactly shown his class for us, nor any particular desire to work hard. Green is a limited player, but at least he runs for the club.

Puja

Love a tap and go try.

Lovely driving maul try there. Tigers are winning. This confuses me.

And they keep Exeter out just before half time!!

Puja wrote:

FKAS wrote:

Puja wrote:
Injured, I believe. Frankly, he's stealing a paypacket even when he's not injured right now, so I don't regard him as too much of a loss until he picks up his ideas.

Puja

And yet still the best lock at the club. To be honest, of the four senior locks I wouldn't be in the least bit bothered if two of them (Green and Enever) left.

IsHeThough.gif

He's not exactly shown his class for us, nor any particular desire to work hard. Green is a limited player, but at least he runs for the club.

Puja

I don't think you can doubt Lavanini's effort. His decision making certainly and there's a bit of that bloody mindedness you get with Coley in that they hate going backwards so start trying to make an impact and can concede penalties as a result. I don't think we've got the most out of him but with this more physical pack he'll fit in and should hopefully be able to settle into the game plan rather than trying to make things happen himself.

This game has been a proper arm wrestle. Chiefs backing their lineout repeatedly rather than taking points. Tigers spoiling. Really like the fight in the Tigers team, looking pretty well drilled as well. Just got to hope they can keep it up.

No team in the league other than maybe Exeter can make 86 tackles in a half and not lose it in the second.
Especially this early in the season.

What a try saver from Guy Porter.

Very harsh penalty for Weise. Sir isn't being very cooperative with the backrows this afternoon.

Be nice if Maxwell-Keys would police the attacking side for going off their feet at every breakdown (Exeter). He is being very generous with the number of penalties Tigers are conceding though.

Great 2 minutes. Henry decides not to make a simple try-scoring pass and somehow avoid a Leicester try, followed by Simmons getting a deserved yellow for a trip.

All downhill from here.

Puja

Puja wrote:Great 2 minutes. Henry decides not to make a simple try-scoring pass and somehow avoid a Leicester try, followed by Simmons getting a deserved yellow for a trip.

All downhill from here.

Puja

That was the worst butchery I’ve seen in a long time. Henry should’ve been yanked off the pitch for that! Truly beyond stupid!!

On the one hand, under a better referee, we'd've had three yellow cards for this volume of penalties. On the other hand, a better referee might've not given penalties for the offence of not being Exeter, so it's swings and roundabouts.

Puja

Puja wrote:Great 2 minutes. Henry decides not to make a simple try-scoring pass and somehow avoid a Leicester try, followed by Simmons getting a deserved yellow for a trip.

All downhill from here.

Puja

Well called. Stupidity from the pair of them.

Bonilla is a walking liability. He doesn't even look up. I hope he's only got a one year deal.

FFS!! Bonilla looks ace!!

It’s a shame as Ben White seems to have found some speed in his movement of ball from somewhere and Bonilla just fucks it good and proper.

Bonilla looks to be a first class signing.......for the opposition.

Thought Tigers competed very well for 50 minutes then the game got away from them as Exe took over.

Armand superb all round.

Even though we competed it was very much scramble rather than cohesive defence.

The attack, well that was just, erm, yeah.

We do look a mess. As in these players should have some semblance of cohesion to our play, but it’s just meh.

I thought Yeandle's leadership was key. Simmonds and Simmonds are the best in their positions in the country. Maybe, Jones just wants Exeter to win everything again.

fivepointer wrote:Bonilla looks to be a first class signing.......for the opposition.

Thought Tigers competed very well for 50 minutes then the game got away from them as Exe took over.

Armand superb all round.

I thought defence looked good in the most part. Obviously not the finished article but the line speed was good, the line wasn't broken often just two or three times. We frustrated Exeter time and again on our own try line. Kick chase was good with us nearly always taking man and ball. Positionally we were good with Steward hoovering everything bar two kicks up. There's a lot to like there, biggest difference from recent times was the lineout defence where Chiefs are normally so good they got little joy bar the third (or fourth?) try when they are a team that has a top scorer or rolling maul.

Replacing a third of the starting line up with experienced internationals should make a big difference. Particularly in attack which is where we looked weakest though still improved. Ford wouldn't have mullered the golden chance to move us back to within a point nor would have tried a suicidal chip.