Tiger hunting
Still friends
By Moorsman
March 1 2016
Having faced two of the bottom four sides in recent weeks the Chiefs now face one of their top four rivals in Leicester Tigers.
Tigers v Chiefs
Having faced two of the bottom four sides in recent weeks the Chiefs now face one of their top four rivals in Leicester Tigers. Here's how the table looks with Chiefs holding a 9 point lead on Tigers. Tigers themselves have been going well recently and the table shows just how valuable bonus points are as things would be a lot closer without them. In fact Chiefs have picked up points in every game so far this season and I don't really see this changing as they're a tenacious bunch these days. Even with what can be seen to be something of a dip over recent weeks the Chiefs have continued to add points to their tally.
| P | W | D | L | F | A | BP | Points | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sarries | 14 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 372 | 246 | 6 | 52 |
| 2 | Chiefs | 14 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 343 | 210 | 9 | 49 |
| 3 | Wasps | 14 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 356 | 251 | 6 | 42 |
| 4 | Tigers | 14 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 290 | 263 | 4 | 40 |
| 5 | Saints | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 295 | 231 | 9 | 37 |
| 6 | Quins | 14 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 337 | 342 | 7 | 37 |
Tigers have been something of a bogey team for Chiefs as we've only won three times and lost eights since joining the Prem. Until our win earlier this season Chiefs haven't defeated Tigers since 2012 when we completed a double over them. Both sides have changed considerably since then and Chiefs have a trio of ex-Tigers to call on now with Julian Salvi, Geoff Parling and Thomas The Tank Waldrom likely to feature this weekend. Tigers will have been hoping that Manu Tuilagi would be on the teamsheet as would Chiefs that Dave Ewers would be available but both have been called into the England training squad and may be on International duty. That will take two hard hitting players out of the equation but there's still plenty of talent in both sides to make for a powerful encounter.
Tigers have been looking to play a more expansive style but are still not seeing huge rewards for this although their points difference seems to indicates their well known ability to come out on the right end of a close game. Tigers are averaging 20.7 for and 18.8 against whilst Chiefs have 24.5 for and 15 against coming into this game so the stats would suggest a close game. Chiefs have shown an ability to score though both forwards and backs with Thomas The Tank and James Short leading the way.
It's going to tale a big performance from the Chiefs to win at Welford Road but I think the guys are in the right frame of mind to pull it off.
Tiger hunting
Posted by: thechiefstribe.com (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2016 12:56
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Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: Moorsman (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2016 13:01
looking for a volunteer to do a review?
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: Moorsman (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2016 13:09
Though this from the Tigers forum might prove motivational:
Quote:Wills
As I said earlier - Exeter were not that great at home against us
If the Thompstone try had have been awarded - I think we would have got something from the game
Perhaps we did turn a corner against Quins - I just hope we can boss the forward battle on our terms this weekend & burst the rather inflated Exeter bubble
I think if we really get in to them - our backs with quick ball will potentially have a field day against Dollman, Short & Co who are hardly outstanding players
I just feel we need to see the power, devil & bite that we showed a lot in the last 2 seasons when little else was working
The balance has shifted to more expansive back play - that's fine as long as it does not undermine Tigers traditional forward pack strengths
Put the 2 elements together & we are in business
Exeter at home is a good place to start, let's hope we do have our best, most threatening & physical pack out at the weekend - after all - we know what Exeter will bring
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: Chief Redwine (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2016 13:27
That inflated bubble that is currently helping us to hover in second place. It's a fluke isn't it? Couple of lucky victories, some scraped bonus points. We should really know our place and be fourth where the best teams sit.
Love forums.
Love forums.
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: Moorsman (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2016 13:34
I've been looking at the stats and this perceived dip we have. Strangely we have never won a round 11 or round 12 Prem game. The closest we came was a draw v Bath.
Our run in last season after round 14 was WWWLWLWW. That would help inflate or bubble nicely.
Our run in last season after round 14 was WWWLWLWW. That would help inflate or bubble nicely.
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: Chief Redwine (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2016 13:36
Re: previous post
All that said. I genuinely worry about this one. Tigers looked very impressive at the week-end.
All that said. I genuinely worry about this one. Tigers looked very impressive at the week-end.
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: tigerburnie (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2016 16:35
Tigers are blowing hot and cold, not sure which team is going to be picked or turn up. We don't seem to be able to get a lot of continuity in selection, niggly injuries along with some long term ones. Owen Williams may figure, which will help, Tom Youngs might show and who knows re Manu, I would say he's not yet match fit for England, but who knows. Our pack got it's mojo back last week, so if that continues to deliver ball at home, we should sneak it, but no gimme, Chiefs are playing well most of the time. If both sides turn up it could be a cracker.
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: Chiefs (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2016 18:25
One thing for sure, we cannot afford to leave valuable point on the field like we did against Bath.
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: clalan (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2016 19:19
I am more worried about Mr Carley being the ref, when he was sir at our away game to Bath a while back, Bath tried every con trick in the book, and he fell for it every time.
We lost on pens, I do hope he has learned as Tigers will do the same.
We lost on pens, I do hope he has learned as Tigers will do the same.
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: Moorsman (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2016 20:29
Tuilagi released by England along with Sam Hill and big Dave. LCD has been retained, congrats Luke
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: Zyder head (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2016 20:38
Quote:Moorsman
Though this from the Tigers forum might prove motivational:
Quote:Wills
As I said earlier - Exeter were not that great at home against us
If the Thompstone try had have been awarded - I think we would have got something from the game
Perhaps we did turn a corner against Quins - I just hope we can boss the forward battle on our terms this weekend & burst the rather inflated Exeter bubble
I think if we really get in to them - our backs with quick ball will potentially have a field day against Dollman, Short & Co who are hardly outstanding players
I just feel we need to see the power, devil & bite that we showed a lot in the last 2 seasons when little else was working
The balance has shifted to more expansive back play - that's fine as long as it does not undermine Tigers traditional forward pack strengths
Put the 2 elements together & we are in business
Exeter at home is a good place to start, let's hope we do have our best, most threatening & physical pack out at the weekend - after all - we know what Exeter will bring
either a wind up 
or this person doesn`t venture outside of Leicester to see what the rest of the world smells like......
Its a tough gig this sunday for sure and we will have to raise our game a notch or two but that's what the challenge of being second in the table is all about,keep raising the bar. I am sure Cockers and the Leicester team will have a bit more respect for us.
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: andy15 (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2016 21:09
LCD being retained makes no sense to me as he is just getting back playing and needs game time rather than sitting around on a weekend.
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: Jon T (IP Logged)
Date: 03/03/2016 12:24
Quote:Zyder headQuote:Moorsman
Though this from the Tigers forum might prove motivational:
Quote:Wills
As I said earlier - Exeter were not that great at home against us
If the Thompstone try had have been awarded - I think we would have got something from the game
Perhaps we did turn a corner against Quins - I just hope we can boss the forward battle on our terms this weekend & burst the rather inflated Exeter bubble
I think if we really get in to them - our backs with quick ball will potentially have a field day against Dollman, Short & Co who are hardly outstanding players
I just feel we need to see the power, devil & bite that we showed a lot in the last 2 seasons when little else was working
The balance has shifted to more expansive back play - that's fine as long as it does not undermine Tigers traditional forward pack strengths
Put the 2 elements together & we are in business
Exeter at home is a good place to start, let's hope we do have our best, most threatening & physical pack out at the weekend - after all - we know what Exeter will bring
Its a tough gig this sunday for sure and we will have to raise our game a notch or two but that's what the challenge of being second in the table is all about,keep raising the bar. I am sure Cockers and the Leicester team will have a bit more respect for us.
Not the view of most fans or Management at Tigers I'm sure , since Lancaster has gone Wils usually sharpens his knives on Tigers. We'll have to play better than any other game this season to get anything v you, this weekend. Heres to a cracker, and a game decided on the pitch and not by Ref or tmo.
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: Yorkie (IP Logged)
Date: 03/03/2016 12:37
Quote:Jon T
We'll have to play better than any other game this season to get anything v you, this weekend. Heres to a cracker, and a game decided on the pitch and not by Ref or tmo.
Agree re first sentence. And here's hoping re 2nd!!
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: Rich W (IP Logged)
Date: 03/03/2016 12:52
While I don't agree with Wils on a lot of things and his turn of phrase can be pretty antagonistic I wouldn't get too carried away by his comments there. I don't think he means any disrespect.
I suspect that he - like most of us are pretty nervous about this weekend. Our backs have been good - occasionally excellent - this season and I think we really feel that something a bit good is in the offing - something that's going to to hurt someone. But our forwards have been infuriatingly and untypically under-powered this year - which certainly makes us vulnerable to your good selves! While the last two weeks have seen some improvement we know your forwards will give us a real test and if we don't improve again our backs may well be an irrelevance!
Anyway - here's to a good game - safe trip any of the Tribe who are heading North.
...
I suspect that he - like most of us are pretty nervous about this weekend. Our backs have been good - occasionally excellent - this season and I think we really feel that something a bit good is in the offing - something that's going to to hurt someone. But our forwards have been infuriatingly and untypically under-powered this year - which certainly makes us vulnerable to your good selves! While the last two weeks have seen some improvement we know your forwards will give us a real test and if we don't improve again our backs may well be an irrelevance!
Anyway - here's to a good game - safe trip any of the Tribe who are heading North.
...
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: Big-Chief (IP Logged)
Date: 03/03/2016 22:48
I love this quote from Geordan Murphy in this weeks E&E
"We actually see a lot of ourselves in Exeter and it is great what is going on and what we are seeing from the players down there. We like their style of rugby and they are doing it around a strong set-piece."
Who would have thought Tiger's coaching staff would be saying that 5 years ago?
Full interview HERE
"We actually see a lot of ourselves in Exeter and it is great what is going on and what we are seeing from the players down there. We like their style of rugby and they are doing it around a strong set-piece."
Who would have thought Tiger's coaching staff would be saying that 5 years ago?
Full interview HERE
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: OggyMan (IP Logged)
Date: 03/03/2016 23:50
Well they certainly see a lot of their former selves in our pack!
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: tigerburnie (IP Logged)
Date: 05/03/2016 10:03
There are certain teams you just can't take to, usually because of their off field people rather than the players or the fans. Chiefs have most folks respect and admiration, you've earnt your position through graft(and a few of our retirees.........)and have a good coaching team. Those who would behave like a franchise and try and buy success(like Toulon)have little empathy from anyone.
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: BIGCHIEFtinypond (IP Logged)
Date: 05/03/2016 11:50
I thought that maybe tigers would be expecting the prems top scorer to be playing and hence have set themselves up to defend the tank attack?!? To switch it up like this could be a master stroke by Mr B - nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!! Oh, and yeah, he did also look like he needed a rest ... Fully deserved IMO!!
Re: Tiger hunting
Posted by: Adam Bails (IP Logged)
Date: 05/03/2016 19:59
Will definitely take a lbp. Tigers 23 looks v strong but hope Chiefs can pull it off
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