This side isn’t ‘smart’ yet in dark arts of on-field play
THE bookmakers were proved right as Toulon relatively comfortably beat Leicester Tigers’ first choice available side at a relatively packed (in these pandemic affected times) Stade Mayol.
As is becoming the norm, the Tigers started relatively brightly but soon conceded the points that were always going to be too much to claw back in France.
Now, there were some mitigating factors – this must have been one of the worst nights the Scottish referee, two French touch judges and the French TMO have ever had. Rarely can so many poor decisions have gone against one team.
Whilst the need to limit the numbers of travelling foreign officials is paramount, it is incredible that the governing body hasn’t worked out that “T” in TMO stands for
“television” and that the job could be literally done anywhere in the world with an internet connection!
For all that, the Tigers still have themselves to blame.
George Ford is, in my view, the best fly-half in the Premiership and almost single-handedly saved Leicester from relegation last season, but I doubt he will ever have such a poor game again.
The decision-making was also dubious. When three points were on offer as the Tigers mounted a comeback, the decision to go for the posts was taken, a high risk gamble in any circumstance as the scoreboard pressure was affecting Toulon. But when Ford missed touch and handed the momentum back to the home side, the game was effectively over.
A continuing inability to manage the referee is a worrying sign of a side that isn’t yet “smart” in the vital dark arts of on-field play. Hopefully, that will come.
Nemani Nadolo has become a “Tigers legend” in possibly the fastest ever time as his work around the pitch, and ability to score tries with little assistance from those around him continue to delight the fans.
If the close season can bring some fluency to the backs he will be an incredible weapon in the armoury.
Ellis Genge continues to impress and his (wrongly, according to IRB protocols) disallowed try should be a collectors’ item for any prop forward.
However, in a season where the Tigers fans are facing reality checks every week, this was another one.