Years of mismanagement can’t be put right straight away
CLEARLY it’s far too early to be talking about must win games, but the unexpected performance and victory for Leicester Tigers against Gloucester last week gave the fans hope for perhaps the first time in a long time.
Coupled with the fact that heading into the season London Irish would be seen as one of the teams vying with the Tigers for last place in the Premiership (relegation rivals, if relegation were to happen) and it can be appreciated that the first rugby game at the Brentford Community Stadium was definitely a big one for both sides. With Exeter at Welford Road awaiting Leicester next week, this game is very much a defining one for the first tranche of this season’s Premiership fixtures.
Key for the fans was the question of whether the apparent improvement against Gloucester was real, or whether the West Country side have massive issues – although Gloucester’s 40–24 win against Wasps augured well.
However, the first half certainly changed the mood. London Irish had prepared well for the Tigers and the Leicester kicking game was much less effective than last week.
The wrecking ball back row, filled with ball carriers, lacked effectiveness as Tigers had neither the ball or the nudge in their opponents.
Too many errors and possibly the most brainless penalty and yellow card imaginable from van Wyk left things in a parlous state at halftime. To Steve Borthwick’s credit he did make the changes at half-time, and initially that bore fruit, with Taufua giving a presence in the back row that had been lacking.
But in the final analysis the Tigers just made too many mistakes even when enjoying more possession and territory. Criminally wasting penalty kicks to touch, and defensive errors losing the momentum at crucial times.
To the Tigers’ credit they didn’t give up, and the scoreline was kept relatively close, albeit outside bonus point range.
Freddie Steward continues to be largely faultless, Taufua’s influence was obvious as soon as he was introduced and Leatigaga returning to fitness is excellent news for the front row union.
In the final analysis, the Tigers are a long way away from where they want to be, but we shouldn’t be surprised by that.
Years of mismanagement clearly can’t be put right straight away.
On the question of the start of the first Premiership tranche, with Exeter next week, it probably won’t be great.