Saracens v Tigers Match Preview
By ChrisC
September 10 2012
Shoptalk. Tired of sticking pins in my eyes I agreed to make a pilgrimage to Ikea. It’s a place that I can imagine replicated in Hell where, if your cardinal sin is shopaholicism, you are destined to follow Ikea’s one way system around stygian showrooms for all eternity, all the while avoiding flocks of children and push chairs the size of small four wheel drives that their parents push in front of them as if seeking to breach the gates of a medieval citadel rather than inspect homewares.
I have always liked Scandanavian design forming as it did, together with that from the Arts and Crafts and Art Deco periods, the background to my training in furniture design so Ikea’s products suit us well. All is fine until something goes wrong and then the trouble really starts as one disappears into the quagmire of customer service but in that the Swedish behemoth is sadly not unique.
Being a consumer is no fun, whether it’s buying a new car (why do car salesmen seem disinterested in selling cars?), dealing with utility companies, with BT getting a special mention and who’s grasp I finally broke just a few weeks ago.
But it shouldn’t be like this. I tire of badly trained, badly mannered shop staff. Of course there are pearls to be found but my goodness it’s a painstaking search.
Too many times I’m told; “There’s no call for it” when clearly there is – from me. “Do you have this in stock?” too often eliciting a shrug, with the prospect of venturing to the stock room to check viewed akin to navigating the perils of the Limpopo.
“To improve the customer experience” is code for “we’ve reduced the quality and/or service to save us money”. Whether it’s removing the provision of a spare wheel from a new car and replacing it with a tube of glue and an aerosol, with the subsequent need for a new tyre, or that spawn of Satan; the self service checkout, shouting; “unexpected item in the bagging area”, the humanity and fun of buying stuff is systematically being removed.
Is it any wonder that on line shopping has achieved such a hold on consumers?
I was taught that my job was to make it easy and pleasant for prospective customers to buy from me and the company had to provide products and service that the customers wanted. So the point of this? Well the management of Tigers’ opponents this week appear to have had different training!
For too long they have provided a product that many prospective customers didn’t want and sought to serve it at a venue where they didn’t want to go. As supermarkets have found BOGOF and petrol promotions bring in new, but largely transitory, customers and once the promotion ends they are back to their hard core supporters. The package has to be right all the time. It has to be an easy and pleasant experience to woo the paying punter on a regular basis and here Saracens, in spite of some success on the field, have failed.
It’s heartening therefore to see them trying to address these issues with their move to Barnet at least being back toward Bramley Road where I used to watch them play all those years ago.
I have to confess the ersatz “gatherings” that Saracens’ Mr Griffiths seems so keen on make me a bit queasy, maybe it’s all that marching, shouting and waving of red, white and black flags that does it.
In the opening two weeks of the season I’ve watched Saracens play twice. Firstly against a London Irish side who, if they don’t improve fast, will be involved in a relegation battle, so disorganised and incompetent were they. Saracens were once again aided by Wayne Barnes, who revelled in the new laws enabling him to abrogate responsibility and officiate the match as if an EU commissar.
Not for the first time Mr Barnes had severe myopia as to Saracens’ multitudinous offences at the breakdown. And were it not for a bravissimo performance from their expensive recruit Chris Ashton, who scored two tries and made another for Barritt, and had Irish’s Tom Homer not had a rare bad day with the boot it could have been closer but Irish were woeful and were never really in the hunt. It was all rather tragic to watch.
For the most part it was the usual stodgy fare from Saracens and in truth they didn’t need to do much to thump the rabble that London Irish were in what was uncomfortably akin to seal clubbing. How Toby Booth must have watched the abject performance of his erstwhile charges and wondered “...and I got the heave-ho so Brian Smith could have them play like that?”
There were flashes of the Saracens’ players showing how good they can be and the back line looked much more fluent without the stultifying presence of Owen Farrell’s compulsive boot denying his colleagues the opportunity to keep the ball in hand and feeding off the creativity of Hodgson.
I was struck that the Saracens backs looked rather like a bunch of lads cowed by their schoolmasters into subjugating their talent in readiness for OFSTED visit but revitalised and emboldened by the arrival of a new boy in the class who has incited them to kick over the traces. Which, from time to time, they did and looked good in the process. Headmaster; Technical Director Dr Venter sat in the stands with his surrogate; likeable Housemaster Mark McCall while their erstwhile colleague; PE Teacher Andy Farrell was elsewhere with his new boss. I hope nobody got “six of the best” for being off message.
What a contrast this often stolid and tedious affair was to the earlier match on that opening day of the Premiership season when Wasps and Quins produced a contest to savour.
The second time I watched Saracens was at Sale’s inaugural Premiership match at Salford, the Manchester/Sale/Stockport side having been hammered the previous week by Exeter at Sandy Park.
The stadium was full, albeit with just 7451paying punters, the rest of the space occupied by the egos of certain players. Chris Ashton and Danny Cipriani were on parade with the latter failing to make much of an impression other than with his boot. Chris Ashton on the other hand, after a first half of largely being a spectator, got over the try line again thanks to some neat work from my man of the match; Alex Goode.
Once again Saracens did the hard graft and it wasn’t rugby to lift the soul. With the final period of the match beckoning they snatched the win after first administering their customary dose of Laudanum to proceedings for an hour. Once again I was left feeling cheated at not seeing Saracens play as they most certainly can when Hodgson is in charge of the #10 shirt.
Over at Welford Road Tigers continued with their “all court” game and slotted another five tries but again they leaked tries that they shouldn’t have as they stuttered and stammered in their work as if auditioning for a sequel to The King’s Speech. Much greater control and technical accomplishment of their ambitions will be required against the efficient Saracens in the wide open spaces of Wembley, especially as faced with the open veldt of the big stadia Tigers seem to develop collegiate Agoraphobia, while Saracens often seem to give fly to their latent abilities.
Up front for Saracens I’ve been impressed with the out-field work of Mako Vunipola although less convinced by his scrummaging which is solid at best but as both Mr Barnes and Mr Pearson use the “randomometer” system of managing the scrum it’s hard to tell what’s going on.
Schalk Britts was at his gambolling best against Sale although his set piece work was erratic to say the least and in many matches he does seem to have borrowed Harry Potter’s Invisibility Cloak, as he repeatedly pops out of the scrum like one of those damn Meercats but is rarely spotted by the match officials.
South African born Petrus du Plessis, started for the visitors and played pretty well but for me the Saracens’ scrum looked far more accomplished when the veteran Argentinian born Nieto made his appearance shortly after half time.
Tigers’ front row has been dominant against both London Welsh and even the robust Worcester outfit, who conceded a Penalty Try at Welford Road and my guess is that we’ll see Dan Cole get first dibs on the tight-head on Saturday with Mulipola starting on the loose-head. At hooker I’d like to see the experience of ex Saracen; George Chuter deployed from the start after a week’s break from the Tigers’ match day squad although as he was A Team duty on Monday Youngs and Hawkins look the more likely squad members.
Tigers won’t find it as easy to wear down the Saracens however they will have another first choice front row available from the bench and it is then that maybe the, notionally, home side will find things get a little difficult.
Even the veteran; Steve Borthwick in company with England’s (by selection not by birth) Mouritz Botha couldn’t make much out of the line out as Britts sprayed the ball around with abandon and as Tigers’ Tom Youngs is still far from bomb proof in the throwing department the selection of George Chuter could provide Tigers with an advantage should Britts decide to reprise his Salford performance as Fireman Sam and hose the ball to all parts. New signing, lock Alastair Hargreaves made his first Premiership appearance. Hargreaves, some may be surprised to learn, is South African and has been capped four times for his country.
It was good to see Graham Kitchener back in good try scoring form and impressive in loose action, playing, with Tony Allen, a key part in Manu Tuilagi’s first try. I thought Geoff Parling was at less than his imperious best in the line out but as one of Tigers’ most consistent performers he’ll relish the big stage that Wembley provides and I can see an edge for Tigers in this phase of play, especially as Steve Mafi provides a third, and very effective, target to combat the threat of Ernst Joubert.
The breakdown is always key and, having seemingly borrowed Britts’ invisibility cloak Saracens got away with larceny that Ronnie Biggs would have been proud of when they played Irish and got the rub of the green from Mr Pearson as well.
Tigers have been turning over too much ball in their opening two matches and if such largesse is afforded the likely opening trio for Saracens; the ever superb Joubert, Scottish international Kelly Brown and, for me a star of the future; Will Fraser, who’s field positioning off the ball is of the highest order, (although I suspect Jackson Wray may start against Tigers), but in trying to introduce a bit of flair to proceedings he handed an interception try to Sale which the ageing legs of Hodgson were unable to retrieve.
On paper Steve Mafi, Julian Salvi and Thomas Waldrom have the edge but they’ll need to up their collective game as Saracens will be no London Welsh and won’t squander any opportunities served up to them.
The ex Sale duo of Wigglesworth and Charlie Hodgson looked very accomplished at Salford with Hodgson, sort of back on home turf, even reprising his “Charge-Down Charlie” display from the last Six Nations.
Sam Harrison, in spite of looking like a rugby playing Pudsey Bear with his head swathed in bandages, looks to have come though in good order and seemed much sharper. I reckon it’ll be a close run thing between the two scrum halves, obviously reliant on the quality of ball they get from their respective packs where I can just see Tigers’ edging it as the match wears on and Richard Cockerill deploys his reserves.
There is no less close a contest at Fly-Half where Hodgson and Flood remain the two best ball players, in their position, in the country, having admirably flat passes on the gain line and almost fly-like peripheral vision. Hodgson though gets the advantage over his successor to the England shirt by dint of his kicking but it’ll be close between these two and thrilling to watch.
The intriguing match ups don’t end there with, in my view, the best two English inside centres, facing each other.
The lantern jawed, Durban born, Brad Barritt for all the world regarding his oncoming opponents with as much relish as the equally lantern jawed “Desperate Dan” did his next Cow Pie, and how Barritt dodged a Yellow Card when convicted by the TMO of an off the ball professional foul remains a mystery in these apparently enlightened days.
Tony Allen meanwhile had a patchy game against Worcester but will see the competition with Barritt as an important factor in his own international ambitions. We see too little of Barritt in attacking situations due to the Saracens’ play book but he is hugely talented when set free as we saw when he ran a great line off Ashton to snaffle a try against Irish . In attack they are contrasting talents with Barritt an ebullient bulldozer while Allen’s skills are more sinuous as he slides through the tiniest of gaps. Neither have fantastic gas but can accelerate hard enough so as to bring their support players through.
In company with most people I’d not seen much of rugby league convert Joel Tomkins but I rather like the look of him. His attacking instincts are good even if the execution in a Union setting is not quite there yet and, like so many other cross code converts, he’s still coming to terms with the defensive requirements of the senior code but I like his apparent mindset and it was noticeable how, when he gave way to Owen Farrell, just after the break, the Saracens play became more measured.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Farrell’s type of kick based play and exemplary tackling preferred against Manu Tuilagi, who was in very fine form against Worcester, and while every time I write in this vein Saracens’ supporters tell me that Farrell is far more than just a kicker and has a full featured, all round game, I have yet to personally see much of it, either in a Saracens’ shirt or that of England.
It will nevertheless be instructive to see how Saracens go about containing Tuilagi who’s in irrepressible form.
Out wide Goneva was back on the score sheet for Tigers with another well taken try, this time with a dummy and a feint through the centre which is where Tigers will need to attack on Saturday as Saracens defence out wide is stifling, so repeated, high paced, accurate pick and drive will be the order of the day to suck in their defensive cordon. The Fijian has certainly been an inspired signing on the evidence thus far. With the ongoing injuries to Benjamin and Tait I expect Scott Hamilton to continue and deservedly so as he’s earned his spot.
Chris Ashton has found his try scoring mojo since arriving at Saracens and has three in the bag already and while Sale managed to keep him bottled up for a long while his predatory instincts eventually shone as he ran a lovely support line off Alex Goode to pop another try over the whitewash to make Mr Rupert smile and able to possibly pat his wallet in quiet satisfaction.
Saracens’ Yankee Doodle Dandy; Chris Wyles was a through nuisance to the home side’s defence and drew opposition players into places they didn’t want to go, thus opening up spaces for his support runners and although more under stated than Ashton (but then who isn’t!?) he’s an important component in the Saracens defensive pattern and when permitted is an intelligent runner with the ball.
At full back Alex Goode is, in my judgement, the England #15 in (not too long) waiting. Like Foden he’s safe under the high ball but his own kicking is superior to that of his Northampton rival and I prefer his ability to resist over playing his hand when coming forward, as he surely will if Tigers kick loose ball to him.
All the while Geordan Murphy will be plotting and scheming from his vantage point and watching what patterns his opponents are weaving and wondering what sort of songs Swans actually sing.
Will Saracens cut loose as they are able and look to exploit the wide open spaces to take advantage of the playmaking skills of Hodgson and the finishing of Ashton? Will Tigers continue with their freewheeling style or will they seek to slow down proceedings?
If Tigers want to play a fast tempo game, which wouldn’t entirely suit the hosts, then they’d better be accurate as if they gift anything to Saracens the “Shop Closed” sign will go up faster than Arkwright’s till closes.
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2012:09:17:18:38:58 by Tiggs.
Is it any wonder that on line shopping has achieved such a hold on consumers?''
Well, there you have your ploy and endgame in one. On the positive side, perhaps it will actually mean we shop less, even buy less, and can work out there's more to life and leisure?
Those eagle eyes are still as sharp, despite the mist, and the grasp as sure, despite the dew ..thanks again, it's DFS next [good old Darley Dale]
'Lions led by donkeys' .. Lest we forget
Thanks.
Never was a thing more deceitfully named than 'customer service' - neither service nor for the customer!
Anyway - thanks for yet another grand review Chris. Like Bob I think you make a very good point about the wide open spaces but I rather feel that Sarries are a side with a not dissimilar weakness and one wonders if what we have seen in the first two weeks (though lacking some shape and showing an inadequacy in applying the fundamentals in so much as too much rugby has been played before the right to do so has been earned by dint of graft - which may prove effective against Welsh and Wuss but might struggle against bigger sides) might allow us to better exploit the big field than previously.
...
On the subject of Saturdays game, I see a difficult match for Tigers unless they can correct the errors of the last two weeks in training this week. Fingers crossed.
Food for thought as I tackle my own preview this evening!!
Sadly I think Sarries might just do us, but I hope we win.
