PLAYER RATINGS v BAYONNE, EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP, DECEMBER 19
KINI MURIMURIVALU: Good covering tackle on Duhau in the first half and was alert to Henry’s crossfield kick for his try. 7/10
GUY PORTER: No attacking opportunities for the centre-turnedwinger but did put in a great kick chase for Murimurivalu’s try. 6/10
JACO TAUTE: Captain for the day will be annoyed with poor pass with penalty advantage in first half but produced a strong penalty turnover in the second. Was a defensive leader in the backs. 6/10
DAN KELLY: Took his try brilliantly running in on the angle to offer something different to the pick and go from the forwards. Strong in defence, especially with a reaching grab for Lafage in the second half. 7/10
HARRY SIMMONS: Came off wing looking for the ball but his best work was done on the other side of the ball, with one impressive strip in his own 22 and a cover tackle on Lafage. 6/10
ZACK HENRY: Early drop goal miss forgotten with a lovely break for Reffell’s try. Set the tone in the second half with a lovely cross-field kick and did well from the tee. 7/10
BEN WHITE: Sliced an early kick to touch inside his own 22 but improved before being replaced with 30 minutes remaining by Jack
van Poortvliet. 6/10
NEPHI LEATIGAGA: Penalised at first scrum and was yellow carded towards the end of the first half. Went dangerously close to a second yellow but survived and went deep into the match before young James Whitcombe was afforded some precious late minutes. 6/10
CHARLIE CLARE: Replaced early on after a knock to the head. N/A
JOE HEYES: First half saw the tighthead miss 14 minutes with a blood injury before picking up a yellow card. Tackled hard for his team but ill discipline is creeping into his game. 6/10
CAMERON HENDERSON: Tackled everything that moved and brilliantly pounced on loose ball for Murimurivalu’s try. A real coming of age display. 7.5/10
TOMAS LAVANINI: Weighed in with some shuddering hits and emptied the tank before being replaced by Harry Wells on 54 minutes. 7/10
OLLIE CHESSUM: Another defensive rock for Tigers who seemed to relish the arm wrestle up front. Made a key lineout steal at 28-13. 7.5/10
TOMMY REFFELL: Great supporting run for game’s first try and produced some excellent breakdown work. Replaced on hour by Luke Wallace. 7/10
JORDAN TAUFUA: Carried manfully as you expect from some desperate positions and also showed hunger in defence. Looked understandably shattered when replaced by Cyle Brink with 24 minutes to go. 7/10
SUBSTITUTES
JAKE KERR: 7/10
JAMES WHITCOMBE: 6/10
DAN COLE: 6/10
HARRY WELLS: 7/10
CYLE BRINK: 5/10
LUKE WALLACE: 6/10
JACK VAN POORTVLIET: 7/10