Sensational Saumaki on roll of honour

HOSEA Saumaki’s race to 10 Leicester Tigers tries was only achieved in quicker time by nine players in the club’s 142-year history, writes Bobby Bridge.

The Tongan international, below, arrived at Mattioli Woods Welford Road last summer after spending five years playing his club rugby in Japan.

Since his debut against Saracens in last October’s 13-12 Gallagher Premiership win and playing the full 80 minutes against Sale Sharks in the Premiership Cup, the 29-year-old has scored 10 tries in as many games.

Tigers fan and rugby statistician Stuart Farmer confirmed that the 740 minutes Saumaki took to reach double figures for tries in Tigers colours was only bettered by nine other members of the club’s alumni – Bobby Lewis (1894), Harold Day (1920), Alex Tuilagi (2005), Billy Wallace (1928), William Sheppard (1934), Jonah Holmes (2018), Tom Varndell (2005), Mel Channer (1946) and

Jonny May (2017).

Saumaki’s most recent score was a phenomenal effort in the 59-20 defeat to London Irish on Tuesday night when he somehow muscled and reached his way over despite being heavily outnumbered by defending players.

“Saumaki, you give him an inch of space he will take it,” said assistant coach Brett Deacon.

“He’s a prolific try-scoring winger, he’s very good. It reminded me of a try that Harry Ellis scored years and years ago, where he sniped short side, shouldn’t have done it, he had no support, and he beat four like that.

“Sau, he is a real humble chap, works really hard, and he can score tries.”

The ex-international Sevens player has also scored three tries in four Heineken Champions Cup games.

After scoring in the home pool stage win against Connacht, Saumaki repeated the trick a month later with a dramatic match-winning effort in Galway.

His only Gallagher Premiership try, from three appearances, came in the comprehensive win over Worcester Warriors at Sixways in early February.