Sunday, March 06, 2011
Manu Tuilagi's powerful try against Saracens
Despite this try, it wasnt a great day for the Tigers as they came within a point of victory after Billy Twelvetrees, who had just come onto the pitch, missed a last-minute penalty attempt that would have given them the win at Welford Road.
They had the lead at halftime following a great try from Manu Tuilagi, the younger of the two first choice Tigers brothers. He has been steadily building his way up the England ranks and with form like this, might just somehow sneak into World Cup consideration, although at this stage it may be a bit too late.
His try was out of the top drawer though, with Kiwis Scott Hamilton and Thomas Waldrom feeding Samoan Alesana Tuilagi, before a long pass reached younger brother Manu. He then brushed aside two tackle attempts before ploughing over the last as he went in at the corner.
It wasnt enough though, as the disappointing loss for his side means that Saracens are now up to within two points of the Tigers at the top of the table. It was a great try nevertheless.
You'll be able to view highlights from the game on the Eplayer sometime within the next day or so. If you're not sure what the Eplayer is, it's to the right and looks like this .
:: Related Posts ::
Manu Tuilagi's well timed tackle vs Northampton Saints
Alesana Tuilagi huge hit on Mark van Gisbergen
Manu Tuilagi's smashing tackle on Tom Williams
Time:
02:08
Manu Tuilagi's well timed tackle vs Northampton Saints
Alesana Tuilagi huge hit on Mark van Gisbergen
Manu Tuilagi's smashing tackle on Tom Williams
Posted at 6:53 pm | 57 comments
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Viewing 57 comments
Anonymous March 06, 2011 6:33 pm
absolutely lomu-esque step handoff pace and power
Maverick March 06, 2011 7:01 pm
Very exciting prospect indeed.
Possibly only big Jonah himself could have scored that!
Possibly only big Jonah himself could have scored that!
coops March 06, 2011 7:02 pm
That is seriously a carbon copy of Lomu's try against England in 1995 where he runs over Mike Catt.
And on a side point - someone PLEASE explain to me why mugs like ResidentTroll just put the word '1st' and nothing else?! It's like these wierdos just sit there waiting for new posts to go up. Do they do it because they never won anything at school or at sports day? Or because their girlfriend (if they have one) lost their virginity to someone else and this is their way of feeling more secure???
Either way, put something relevant or stick to playing World of Warcraft!!
And on a side point - someone PLEASE explain to me why mugs like ResidentTroll just put the word '1st' and nothing else?! It's like these wierdos just sit there waiting for new posts to go up. Do they do it because they never won anything at school or at sports day? Or because their girlfriend (if they have one) lost their virginity to someone else and this is their way of feeling more secure???
Either way, put something relevant or stick to playing World of Warcraft!!
Anonymous March 06, 2011 7:10 pm
nice step on first tackler but 2nd tackler kinda got blocked by first and then farrell stupidly went high on a powerful player like tuilagi. nice looking try but average defence.
coops March 06, 2011 7:11 pm
Couple of freaky similarities between that and this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvR8CsGcwyQ
Anonymous March 06, 2011 7:29 pm
Farrel didn't go high, he was at hip height and travelling and speed...normally enough to send your opposite number flying out
Anonymous March 06, 2011 7:29 pm
Farrel didn't go high, he was at hip height and travelling and speed...normally enough to send your opposite number flying out
beans beans beans March 06, 2011 7:33 pm
Holy shit, what a beast!
I will say that the fullback not only made a poor attempt at a tackle, but also made it so that the lock also had no chance of ushering Tuilagi out of bounds. Well done, Manu, though!
Anyone know, does the Premiership happen to have a "try of the year" award? If so, I can imagine this would be nominated.
I will say that the fullback not only made a poor attempt at a tackle, but also made it so that the lock also had no chance of ushering Tuilagi out of bounds. Well done, Manu, though!
Anyone know, does the Premiership happen to have a "try of the year" award? If so, I can imagine this would be nominated.
Flipje March 06, 2011 7:50 pm
Brilliant
As a pure neutral, I am really looking forward to Leinster - Leicester......
Well done Tuilagi
As a pure neutral, I am really looking forward to Leinster - Leicester......
Well done Tuilagi
geordie March 06, 2011 8:00 pm
Hope he plays for england and not his native samoa he looks a prospect if he can sort out his handling and positioning he will be a great player!
hopefully johnson will sit down with him and mentour (spelling?) the young guy
on another note.... would hate to see the state of mrs tuilagis vagina after producing those 5 i think massive lads! sorry excuse me
hopefully johnson will sit down with him and mentour (spelling?) the young guy
on another note.... would hate to see the state of mrs tuilagis vagina after producing those 5 i think massive lads! sorry excuse me
Reality Check March 06, 2011 8:20 pm
That was quite good, especially Alesana's pass. But come on, don't compare him to Lomu. I mean he did well to get away from the first tackler, but the second was kind of hindered by the first, and then the fullback coming across had completely committed to hitting Tuilagi at pace, and so when Tuilagi checked back inside the fullback was completely off-balance and in the wrong position to make the tackle.
Tuilagi did very well, indeed perfectly, but please don't compare him to Lomu for this.
Tuilagi did very well, indeed perfectly, but please don't compare him to Lomu for this.
beans beans beans March 06, 2011 8:38 pm
Yeah, I could see comparing the try Tuilagi scored to the one Lomu scored, but it's a little much to compare the actual players...and if I were Tuilagi, I certainly wouldn't want that kind of hype surrounding me before I even turned 20...
RedYeti March 06, 2011 9:06 pm
The TRY is lomu-esque, as several people have pointed out. It almost mirrors the famous one Lomu scored against England in '95 when he trampled Mike Catt. It's the similarity of field position/crushing the final defender that made people think of Lomu's try, Manu isn't that similar a player really
Anonymous March 06, 2011 9:42 pm
Love the HC, these NH players are much better than.....oh.
Anonymous March 06, 2011 10:28 pm
" Anonymous said...
Love the HC, these NH players are much better than.....oh.
March 06, 2011 10:42 PM"
It's actually the aviva premiership. A for effort though!
Love the HC, these NH players are much better than.....oh.
March 06, 2011 10:42 PM"
It's actually the aviva premiership. A for effort though!
Anonymous March 07, 2011 12:11 am
Would love to see this guy go with England to the World Cup!
Leo March 07, 2011 12:12 am
Thats the samoan sidestep for ya... Straight ahead!!!
Anonymous March 07, 2011 2:49 am
Someone please tell me how Mike Tindall is better than this guy.
Yes he may not have the international experience, but in his first season of Premiership rugby he is up there with the big boys and surely provides more than Tindall and Hape combined!
Yes he may not have the international experience, but in his first season of Premiership rugby he is up there with the big boys and surely provides more than Tindall and Hape combined!
Anonymous March 07, 2011 3:07 am
Just wondering, why is there always booing whenever Manu does something?
Anonymous March 07, 2011 5:17 am
Get him in the England team asap. Our centres are not dynamic enough. Add Tuilagi and our backline will start to look really good.
TB March 07, 2011 5:24 am
What a great run!
I'm not saying this young man should or should not play for England. I do wonder that with a player pool as large as the one the English have that they so often rely on foreign born players. Add this guy to Riki Flutey, Hartley, Armitage, Hape, Fourie and you have a significant part of the English team that learned their formative rugby elsewhere. If I was English I would be concerned about England producing world class players.
I'm not saying this young man should or should not play for England. I do wonder that with a player pool as large as the one the English have that they so often rely on foreign born players. Add this guy to Riki Flutey, Hartley, Armitage, Hape, Fourie and you have a significant part of the English team that learned their formative rugby elsewhere. If I was English I would be concerned about England producing world class players.
Anonymous March 07, 2011 5:28 am
TB
There is a difference in that Manu grew up in England and has worked his way up the age group ranks of the England Youth system.
On the other hand, the others are simply not good enough to play for their own countries (and to be perfectly honest, Hape, Fourie and Armitage are not even good enough to play for england yet somehow still do) and then end up squeezing out the locally made talent (perfect example being Hape in the centers instead of M. Tuilagi)
There is a difference in that Manu grew up in England and has worked his way up the age group ranks of the England Youth system.
On the other hand, the others are simply not good enough to play for their own countries (and to be perfectly honest, Hape, Fourie and Armitage are not even good enough to play for england yet somehow still do) and then end up squeezing out the locally made talent (perfect example being Hape in the centers instead of M. Tuilagi)
Anonymous March 07, 2011 8:08 am
And on a side point - someone PLEASE explain to me why mugs like ResidentTroll just put the word '1st' and nothing else?! It's like these wierdos just sit there waiting for new posts to go up. Do they do it because they never won anything at school or at sports day? Or because their girlfriend (if they have one) lost their virginity to someone else and this is their way of feeling more secure???
-------------
IT's a running internet joke. I imagine ResidentTroll is mocking popular culture, rather than genuinely engaging in it himself
If you ever see somebody saying '1st', 'did he died' and other seemingly non sensical posts, it's a safe bet they're taking the piss.
-------------
IT's a running internet joke. I imagine ResidentTroll is mocking popular culture, rather than genuinely engaging in it himself
If you ever see somebody saying '1st', 'did he died' and other seemingly non sensical posts, it's a safe bet they're taking the piss.
BringBackTheRuck March 07, 2011 8:15 am
That was quite good, especially Alesana's pass. But come on, don't compare him to Lomu. I mean he did well to get away from the first tackler, but the second was kind of hindered by the first, and then the fullback coming across had completely committed to hitting Tuilagi at pace, and so when Tuilagi checked back inside the fullback was completely off-balance and in the wrong position to make the tackle.
---------------
If you wanted to be honest, 95% of attempted tackles on Lomu were piss-weak, from back when the game was full of amateurs.
Go watch any Lomu compilation, there's so many tries and times where he breaks the line because a player is literally scared of tackling him. And I'm not exagerating. Literally players pretend to make an effort to show they've made an effort, but are clearly not making any kind of effort.
Nobody will ever have the effect Lomu had, because nobody will ever get the advantage he had. Manu can't go back to the early 90s and play against little men who're scared of contact. In todays game that doesn't happen, everyone aims up, there's no place in the team for cowards.
I'm not saying Manu is as big and fast as Lomu, they're different builds for a start, but even so he isn't. However, Lomu in todays game, his effect would be alot more minimal. He'd be a slightly bigger and faster Hosea Gear. He certainly wouldn't be running over people at will.
---------------
If you wanted to be honest, 95% of attempted tackles on Lomu were piss-weak, from back when the game was full of amateurs.
Go watch any Lomu compilation, there's so many tries and times where he breaks the line because a player is literally scared of tackling him. And I'm not exagerating. Literally players pretend to make an effort to show they've made an effort, but are clearly not making any kind of effort.
Nobody will ever have the effect Lomu had, because nobody will ever get the advantage he had. Manu can't go back to the early 90s and play against little men who're scared of contact. In todays game that doesn't happen, everyone aims up, there's no place in the team for cowards.
I'm not saying Manu is as big and fast as Lomu, they're different builds for a start, but even so he isn't. However, Lomu in todays game, his effect would be alot more minimal. He'd be a slightly bigger and faster Hosea Gear. He certainly wouldn't be running over people at will.
Anonymous March 07, 2011 9:34 am
TB
"What a great run!
I'm not saying this young man should or should not play for England. I do wonder that with a player pool as large as the one the English have that they so often rely on foreign born players. Add this guy to Riki Flutey, Hartley, Armitage, Hape, Fourie and you have a significant part of the English team that learned their formative rugby elsewhere. If I was English I would be concerned about England producing world class players."
I can understand what your saying with other players, but i don't think it counts with Manu. He moved to Leicester before his teens going to school in Hinckley. He's played 99% of his rugby career in england, including england age groups.
"What a great run!
I'm not saying this young man should or should not play for England. I do wonder that with a player pool as large as the one the English have that they so often rely on foreign born players. Add this guy to Riki Flutey, Hartley, Armitage, Hape, Fourie and you have a significant part of the English team that learned their formative rugby elsewhere. If I was English I would be concerned about England producing world class players."
I can understand what your saying with other players, but i don't think it counts with Manu. He moved to Leicester before his teens going to school in Hinckley. He's played 99% of his rugby career in england, including england age groups.
Anonymous March 07, 2011 11:09 am
would love to see him replace tindall some time soon!
as for him playing for england I really don't see a problem. He has spent most of his teen years here. Wants to play for england. so let him play.
as for him playing for england I really don't see a problem. He has spent most of his teen years here. Wants to play for england. so let him play.
Reality Check March 07, 2011 12:00 pm
Bringbacktheruck, I don't agree with you. Yes, some of the tackling against Lomu was quite poor back then, and since the game has become much more professional people are better at tackling and are bigger and stronger. But since the game's become more professional, if Lomu was playing now, if he was at the start of his career now, he'd be even bigger, faster, stronger and more skillful than he was back then, so I don't think it's fair to say that everyone else from back then would be much better if they were playing now, because Lomu would also be much better now too.
And if you want to talk about crap tackles, watch the video of Tuilagi here. Those tackles were absolutely useless as well.
And if you want to talk about crap tackles, watch the video of Tuilagi here. Those tackles were absolutely useless as well.
Wig March 07, 2011 12:00 pm
Re: Just wondering, why is there always booing whenever Manu does something?
Its the crowd shouting MANUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
Its the crowd shouting MANUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
Phillip3 March 07, 2011 12:58 pm
Anon said: "I imagine ResidentTroll is mocking popular culture"
You give him too much credit, I'm sure he's just a twerp, but if you're right then he is more boring and uncreative than the thing he "mocks".
You give him too much credit, I'm sure he's just a twerp, but if you're right then he is more boring and uncreative than the thing he "mocks".
Coops March 07, 2011 1:11 pm
Reality Check - I posted a message saying the try was very similar to the one Lomu scored when he ran over Mike Catt, certainly not comparing him to the big man just yet.
But I think what you need to remember is that Jonah had a huge advantage over his opposition because of his size and speed. There was no other winger then who weighed 18 stone and could run the 100metres in sub 11 seconds. The guy is a legend, and was a phenomenon, but these days such wingers are much more regular (take Alex Tuilagi as an example).
I take your point that Jonah would be a better player if he had started a pro, but only in terms of skills. I think it's unlikely he would have been able to be much faster without losing his bulk, and vice versa. All players across the park have bulked up now, and I think it's fair to say a present day Lomu would still be a great player, but would not have as much as an impact as before.
Manu though, has the potential to go very very far indeed.
But I think what you need to remember is that Jonah had a huge advantage over his opposition because of his size and speed. There was no other winger then who weighed 18 stone and could run the 100metres in sub 11 seconds. The guy is a legend, and was a phenomenon, but these days such wingers are much more regular (take Alex Tuilagi as an example).
I take your point that Jonah would be a better player if he had started a pro, but only in terms of skills. I think it's unlikely he would have been able to be much faster without losing his bulk, and vice versa. All players across the park have bulked up now, and I think it's fair to say a present day Lomu would still be a great player, but would not have as much as an impact as before.
Manu though, has the potential to go very very far indeed.
RedYeti March 07, 2011 1:52 pm
Manu shouldn't be in the England team (YET!). Definitely not over the Hape/Tindall combination. He is 19 and has barely even had any Premiership experience. He also has suspect defensive positioning, in contrast to Tindall who makes up for having lost some pace over the years with impeccable positioning.
The England game-plan at the moment revolves around the Youngs/Flood combination connecting with the pacey and creative back three to finish tries. The centres are there to secure slow ball by crashing it up, and by fixing defenders running dummy lines, and occasionally offloading out of the tackle (this last one would work better if someone other than Ashton actually tracked on Hape's shoulder...). This set of tactics has been working very well through the Six Nations, and I don't see why Johnson should start changing players around when he is finally getting combinations working well together and building up experience and a run of wins in the build up to the world cup.
It's irrelevant how much individual talent a player has if he can't fit into the structure and tactics and combinations and experience that the team currently has. Otherwise the Barbarians would be the best in the world... ;)
The England game-plan at the moment revolves around the Youngs/Flood combination connecting with the pacey and creative back three to finish tries. The centres are there to secure slow ball by crashing it up, and by fixing defenders running dummy lines, and occasionally offloading out of the tackle (this last one would work better if someone other than Ashton actually tracked on Hape's shoulder...). This set of tactics has been working very well through the Six Nations, and I don't see why Johnson should start changing players around when he is finally getting combinations working well together and building up experience and a run of wins in the build up to the world cup.
It's irrelevant how much individual talent a player has if he can't fit into the structure and tactics and combinations and experience that the team currently has. Otherwise the Barbarians would be the best in the world... ;)
Anonymous March 07, 2011 2:17 pm
@redyeti
I agree as to why tindall/hape are there and how the back line is functioning. However, I feel banahan/tuilagi can both perform the tasks that tindall does. both have equally as good or better handling. Both can tackle. Both are faster than tindall. Both can draw defenders. both can offload better than tindall. You say tindall's positioning is excellent, which most of the time is true, but he makes mistakes. And his pace makes him a liability when there is space for the opposition to run at him.
If we really want to perform at the world cup with our best team then surely the six nations is the perfect time to trial these sorts of players.
I agree as to why tindall/hape are there and how the back line is functioning. However, I feel banahan/tuilagi can both perform the tasks that tindall does. both have equally as good or better handling. Both can tackle. Both are faster than tindall. Both can draw defenders. both can offload better than tindall. You say tindall's positioning is excellent, which most of the time is true, but he makes mistakes. And his pace makes him a liability when there is space for the opposition to run at him.
If we really want to perform at the world cup with our best team then surely the six nations is the perfect time to trial these sorts of players.
RedYeti March 07, 2011 3:55 pm
People always say that Tindall is too slow, but I've yet to really see him get beaten on the outside, as France and Wales both tried to do. Even the magical Australian backs (who are all rapid) couldn't really do it. I think Tindall is a lynchpin holding the England side together in terms of organisation, and experience, and Flood seems to be benefitting from having that outside him in the same way Wilkinson did with Greenwood/Tindall in 2003. Apart from his suspect passing in the last few games Tindall has done nothing at all to warrant being dropped, and has been in good form, so it would be hypocritical for Johnson to swap him for someone untested and not necessarily in form.
I don't think Johnson treats a competition like the Six Nations as a friendly testing ground for new players. It's a ferociously competitive tournament that is very important to teams, even with the World Cup later this year. Johnson understands that having a team that has built up lots of experience playing (and winning!) together, beats having some talented individuals that haven't had much game time.
All that said, I do worry slightly at our strength in depth for the centres. We have no one with any real experience as a specialist. As far as I can tell Johnson is relying on Wilkinson/Flood to cover 12, and Banahan to cover 13. We will need more than that in terms of injury insurance come the World Cup (Waldouck and Tuilagi into the extended WC Squad maybe?), but I still think it makes more sense to maximise the experience of the starting team, rather than give new player small amounts of experience 'just in case', as this could have a negative impact on the most important players, the starters
I don't think Johnson treats a competition like the Six Nations as a friendly testing ground for new players. It's a ferociously competitive tournament that is very important to teams, even with the World Cup later this year. Johnson understands that having a team that has built up lots of experience playing (and winning!) together, beats having some talented individuals that haven't had much game time.
All that said, I do worry slightly at our strength in depth for the centres. We have no one with any real experience as a specialist. As far as I can tell Johnson is relying on Wilkinson/Flood to cover 12, and Banahan to cover 13. We will need more than that in terms of injury insurance come the World Cup (Waldouck and Tuilagi into the extended WC Squad maybe?), but I still think it makes more sense to maximise the experience of the starting team, rather than give new player small amounts of experience 'just in case', as this could have a negative impact on the most important players, the starters
Coops March 07, 2011 4:23 pm
Redyeti - I agree on your point that the system works with tindall and hape (although I think they're under used as gainline breakers) and it would be too risky to change this close to the world cup. However, tindall IS a liability when it comes to pace and DID get beaten twice on the outside by Williams against Wales - and once was due to bad positioning rather than out and out pace.
I don't think Tindall is a slouch at all, and he brings a hell of a lot to the team, but you have to admit, and I hope, he'll step down after the world cup and we can let some of the younger lads step up. For me, twelvetrees, Farrell, Allen and Waldouck (although he's done nothing this year) will battle it out for the 12 spot, with tuilagi and banahan going for 13.
I don't think Tindall is a slouch at all, and he brings a hell of a lot to the team, but you have to admit, and I hope, he'll step down after the world cup and we can let some of the younger lads step up. For me, twelvetrees, Farrell, Allen and Waldouck (although he's done nothing this year) will battle it out for the 12 spot, with tuilagi and banahan going for 13.
RedYeti March 07, 2011 4:41 pm
I agree that we should use Tindall and Hape to break the gainline more, especially as Hape has a wicked offload (similar to SBW; a league technique perhaps?), but they are working well enough simply by existing as a threat/dummy runner to create the holes Flood is running into before putting Ashton away to score. I don't remember Tindall getting beaten for pace against Wales, or having particularly poor positioning, but Hape definitely got pulled out of position for Stoddart's try. I think the assumption would be that even if Tindall does get beaten on the outside (which has happened), the pace outside him in Ashton (and behind him in Foden) is usually enough to make cover tackles. I worry that this mentality will lead to some horrible tries conceded against New Zealand as their monster centres cut through our midfield and offload to pacemen like Toeava and Gear to finish. Sounds a lot like our game plan at the moment actually ;)
I am almost certain that after a third World Cup, Tindall will gracefully hang up his boots and retire to his thousand acre estate with his Princess. Hopefully by then Twelvetrees/Allen and Tuilagi/Waldouck/Banahan will have laid some sort of claim to the centre jerseys (assuming Hape won't last too long either, as he isn't exactly the future for England)
I am almost certain that after a third World Cup, Tindall will gracefully hang up his boots and retire to his thousand acre estate with his Princess. Hopefully by then Twelvetrees/Allen and Tuilagi/Waldouck/Banahan will have laid some sort of claim to the centre jerseys (assuming Hape won't last too long either, as he isn't exactly the future for England)
Jimbo1 March 07, 2011 5:04 pm
Oh my god a thread that actually revolves around a discussion about rugby. Great to read. I agree with comment about keeping the Tindall/Hape centre partnership. Game plan revolves around the use of the back three as the attacking threat with a stable base in the middle to work from. Would still like to see this young man introduced to the fold though!
Formerly R T March 07, 2011 5:56 pm
As the person who formerly used the name resident troll I find it sad that someone could troll it in such a lame way. I used to specifically be an ass. For instance I'd read all the comments about 'weak super 15 defence' then when a load of NH players get bumped I would comment with something like 'geez this super 15 defence is...oh wait this is a NH team' or if a load of super 15 fans said that the north refs are so weak and lame giving cards for nothing I would bring up such a comment in those videos... Basically cause a pain to those dicks that comment like that (and generally sound like a dick myself) and causing little issues...
However I NEVER commented with '1st'.... A few clips back I commented on how I was retiring from using that name due to it being abused. So the person taking over is a little sad...
Anyway onto this, awesome by Manu, embarrassing for a flanker to be bumped by a centre let alone a 20 yr old one...
However I NEVER commented with '1st'.... A few clips back I commented on how I was retiring from using that name due to it being abused. So the person taking over is a little sad...
Anyway onto this, awesome by Manu, embarrassing for a flanker to be bumped by a centre let alone a 20 yr old one...
RedYeti March 07, 2011 6:08 pm
@Formerly RT
He's not even 20 till the 18th of May ;)
@Jimbo1
I swear half the usual commenters on RD videos don't even watch or enjoy the sport, or if they do they are vindictive, small-minded and possibly racist (or at the least xenophobic). It's almost what I'd expect from a wendyball website most of the time... Glad we can have a reasonable discussion about the sport here though.
I think Tuilagi is going to be coming through the England set up sooner rather than later. He has played for all the age groups and stated his intent to play for England (even going as far as getting the RFU to back his bid for citizenship when he was almost deported). So I believe it's just a matter of time and maturity. He's only 19, so surely great things are ahead of him
He's not even 20 till the 18th of May ;)
@Jimbo1
I swear half the usual commenters on RD videos don't even watch or enjoy the sport, or if they do they are vindictive, small-minded and possibly racist (or at the least xenophobic). It's almost what I'd expect from a wendyball website most of the time... Glad we can have a reasonable discussion about the sport here though.
I think Tuilagi is going to be coming through the England set up sooner rather than later. He has played for all the age groups and stated his intent to play for England (even going as far as getting the RFU to back his bid for citizenship when he was almost deported). So I believe it's just a matter of time and maturity. He's only 19, so surely great things are ahead of him
Ronan March 07, 2011 7:34 pm
what about the saracens number 12 hit on Alesana Tuilagi, that was great.... boom!
RedYeti March 07, 2011 7:43 pm
Oh I completely forgot to mention Barritt at Saracens, and Jon Clarke at Northampton. Also Lowe at Harlequins is starting to look like a great 13. So England have a lot of potential depth in the centres; hopefully the youth set-up and the respective clubs can bring the talent through
coops March 07, 2011 9:28 pm
Red Yeti - think we are pretty much on the same page. If the World Cup was 18 months away, I think it would be worth chucking Manu/Banahan in for one of the centres because they'd have time to develop, like Youngs, Ashton, Cole etc have...but this late on, they've developed a solid understanding and they won't let anyone down, even if they won't set the world alight.
However, I would be very suprised if Manu doesn't get a run for England in one of the warm-up games...
However, I would be very suprised if Manu doesn't get a run for England in one of the warm-up games...
RedYeti March 07, 2011 9:47 pm
Yeah I think Manu might end up going to the World Cup just for the experience, even if he doesn't even make the bench for any important games. Might end up as a replacement during a group stage minnow match or something. Imagine what kind of player he'd be with that sort of experience when he was barely out of his teens. Hopefully he'll impress in a warm up game and just get the chance to go to NZ and be around an elite England camp, if only to develop the right professional mentality and begin to understand how to be a top player.
Rowan DeBues March 08, 2011 3:44 am
Just a quick note. Well addressed already but to back up: Manu moved to England when he was 9/10. He has an English girlfriend, went through the English education system, calls himself English and wants to play for England. Listen to the guy, he sounds English too.
What more do you want? If I ever played for England I'd be written off for being "some import" just cause I spent half my life in Canada even though I was English born n raised!
Onto the rugby. I do agree that Tindall has not actually been exposed that much by France, Wales or Australia. Heck, NZ hardly ran the man ragged. I do think Manu should be a part of the WC squad though to be brought in with Allen for after the world cup, or maybe Twelvetrees. That would mean another Leicester combination, creating a massive amount of chemistry in the england backline hopefully.
What more do you want? If I ever played for England I'd be written off for being "some import" just cause I spent half my life in Canada even though I was English born n raised!
Onto the rugby. I do agree that Tindall has not actually been exposed that much by France, Wales or Australia. Heck, NZ hardly ran the man ragged. I do think Manu should be a part of the WC squad though to be brought in with Allen for after the world cup, or maybe Twelvetrees. That would mean another Leicester combination, creating a massive amount of chemistry in the england backline hopefully.
Am March 08, 2011 10:05 am
'Imagine what kind of player he'd be with that sort of experience when he was barely out of his teens.'
Kind of makes you hideously sick with jealousy doesn't it.....
Kind of makes you hideously sick with jealousy doesn't it.....
RedYeti March 08, 2011 10:46 am
@Rowan
Yeah it's silly to criticise his nationality or his committment to this country: if he shouldn't play for us he definitely shouldn't play for Samoa, which leaves him nowhere. Pretty sure no one ever criticised Simon Shaw for being born in Kenya, and Mike Catt was a hero of English rugby, despite obviously having a South African accent... Some close-minded people don't seem to accept that growing up somewhere is a lot more important than where you happened to be born. It's like comparing a sperm donor biological father to a loving adoptive dad.
It's not like the entire Tuilagi clan (five beasts of brothers) went through the Leicester Tigers system before settling to play in Leicester/France...
Yeah it's silly to criticise his nationality or his committment to this country: if he shouldn't play for us he definitely shouldn't play for Samoa, which leaves him nowhere. Pretty sure no one ever criticised Simon Shaw for being born in Kenya, and Mike Catt was a hero of English rugby, despite obviously having a South African accent... Some close-minded people don't seem to accept that growing up somewhere is a lot more important than where you happened to be born. It's like comparing a sperm donor biological father to a loving adoptive dad.
It's not like the entire Tuilagi clan (five beasts of brothers) went through the Leicester Tigers system before settling to play in Leicester/France...
beans beans beans March 08, 2011 11:56 am
"Just a quick note...Manu...has an English girlfriend..."
How unlucky for him ;)
How unlucky for him ;)
Coops March 08, 2011 1:45 pm
Red Yeti - Actually 6 brothers came through the system at Leicester: Freddie, Henry, Andy, Alex, Vavae (who didn't get a senior contract) and now Manu, who is the youngest.
There is actually another brother (I think slightly younger than Alex) who hasn't played for Leicester. In Samoan tradition, it is terrible luck to have 5 sons in succession (or something similar) and therefore one of the brothers has been raised as a woman.
Literally this is no word of a lie. He is f*cking massive and wears a dress and make-up - probably the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life. Once again, swear this is true - anyone who's been on a night out in Leicester should be able to back me up!!
There is actually another brother (I think slightly younger than Alex) who hasn't played for Leicester. In Samoan tradition, it is terrible luck to have 5 sons in succession (or something similar) and therefore one of the brothers has been raised as a woman.
Literally this is no word of a lie. He is f*cking massive and wears a dress and make-up - probably the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life. Once again, swear this is true - anyone who's been on a night out in Leicester should be able to back me up!!
Nathan March 08, 2011 4:55 pm
@Coops
Are you serious!!!
I've been out in Leicester loads and never seen him/her!
You should see the size of Alex's baby, i think i was about 6 when i was the same size.
Are you serious!!!
I've been out in Leicester loads and never seen him/her!
You should see the size of Alex's baby, i think i was about 6 when i was the same size.
Anonymous March 09, 2011 4:15 am
Yea he's a regular Jonah Lomu.
Pfftt gimme a break, there will only ever be one Lomu.
This kid looks like a great rugby player (in a pretty average competition)
Pfftt gimme a break, there will only ever be one Lomu.
This kid looks like a great rugby player (in a pretty average competition)
Colombes March 11, 2011 4:37 pm
Great try,
i wonder why Johnno didn't picked him instead of Tindall or Hape?
i wonder why Johnno didn't picked him instead of Tindall or Hape?
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