Comments on: Best of the Weekend: Bristol Bears Start With a Bang

By: MarkB

MarkB — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 08:47:50 +0000

Even if the TMO did look it, still can’t be a try, whistle had been blown, therefore Sarries players could rightly argue that play had stopped and therefore they didn’t chase Goneva, doesn’t matter if it was incorrect in that instance, it’s not a decision the TMO can overturn. Same as if the ref blows early during and advantage having not spotted the runner just about to break through a gap.

By: Don P

Don P — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 08:03:30 +0000

Ought to be more careful over yr choice of words about O’Connor being an ‘Aussie’ git. Appears to have racial connotations. Also a more emotive statement rather than an objective 1. It’s only 1 game FCOL!

By: Don P

Don P — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 07:54:35 +0000

Heard of a TMO? ‘.. believing quite reasonanly’ doesn’t come into it. Not factual. A case of perception over reality?

By: Jacob Bassford

Jacob Bassford — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 19:32:39 +0000

Matt O’Connor has left the Tigers with immediate effect, skills Coach Geordan Murphy to become interim head coach. 8 Premierships, 2 Heineken Cups, British and Irish Lion, a Grand Slam, prestigious playing career and helped Tigers to the Anglo-Welsh Cup glory in 2017, the club’s 1st trophy in 4 years!

By: steve

steve — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 16:17:44 +0000

Bristol were a lot better then i expected. They seemed to be well organised, resilient under pressure and capable of some enterprising play. They’ll have a shot at staying up, but i’m not convinced their squad has the depth required.
Tigers were given the run around at SP by a very good Exeter. What should concern the faithful is how little they seemed to have moved forward from last season. Exe were in a different class to be honest.
It wasnt a try for Goneva as the ref blew his whistle, believing, quite reasonably, that the ball had been grounded in goal. If you are going to try and con opponents and officials, you can’t moan when they make a decision based on what you appear to have done.

By: Jacob Bassford

Jacob Bassford — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 14:40:43 +0000

The Tigers head of strength and conditioning a bloke called Alex Martin of Loughborough Uni stock, is actually really good. The reason Tigers were unfit was because O’Connor named players like O’Connor, Bateman hadn’t had any preseason game time and was thrown straight into the mix, if Matt O’Connor had started Fe’ao, a young bloke called Tommy Reffell (remember his name!) and Eastmond things would have different. Involving Toomua and Polota-Nau was catastrophic and hugely detrimental on the players. But no Matt O’Connor has to be the big stubborn g*t of an Aussie he is, doesn’t he?

By: Jacob Bassford

Jacob Bassford — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 14:36:37 +0000

Have to agree that Rapava Ruskin was outstanding, unfortunately I no longer do the Team of the Weeks so I was unable to merit his contribution

By: Dazza (Dazzle)

Dazza (Dazzle) — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 14:30:28 +0000

Have to agree Staggy, the pack looked well out of shape, as did Manu. He looked so lacklustre and knackered after about 30 minutes. Not sure what they’ve been doing (or not, as the case may be) in training, but it clearly hasn’t worked for some players.

By: MarkB

MarkB — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 14:26:36 +0000

Spot on re the first point, i.e. not a try; personally I think Tempest got a bit caught up in the games values bit, he should have stuck to his guns and said whistle’s gone, 22 drop out has been called, and that’s that.

By: Staggy

Staggy — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 11:32:06 +0000

After week 1 I have definitely revised my estimate of where Northampton will finish this season upwards, with the jury out on Tigers, as to be fair they aren’t the only team in the last few years to be completely overrun at Sandy Park. However my gut feeling is that they will end up being like Harlequins from last season.

By: Staggy

Staggy — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 11:27:20 +0000

Have to agree that VRR was outstanding. Most Glos fans had him down as their MOTM over Cipriani, but that wouldn’t have given the television pundits as much to purr over compared to Cips passing!

By: Staggy

Staggy — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 11:24:45 +0000

Not convinced that Ford or Youngs could have done much else really, they were playing behind a beaten pack in the face of Exeter’s relentless and stifling defence. The person who needs the sack is whoever planned pre season training at Tigers. The pack looked completely unfit. No excuse.