Five of the Best
Wednesday 7 November 2012
If you ever need proof that the phrase "they look better on paper means next to nothing, then the exercise I have gone through over the last four weeks should suffice. I was asked before the start of the season to comment on my five best signings of the summer, and did so happily. Then the season got under way and I hesitated on sending my ideas in, preferring to wait until after the first round, this then turned into the second round and now the fifth, as my list evolves to look absolutely nothing like the original article.
Billy Twelvetrees is one of my signings of the summer. Creatively, the young midfield of Burns, Twelvetrees and Trinder has not yet clicked, but Twelvetrees has linked well when the opportunity arises. A powerful presence going forwards making hard yards and a focal point in defence. His try saving tackle on Joe Simpson was both well timed and perfectly executed, earning Gloucester a five metre scrum at a key point in the game. New signing Sione Kalamafoni hit top gear, swatting Wasps aside before putting London Welsh to the sword, Ben Morgan was instrumental in avoiding the banana skin, which is the Madjeski Stadium, but one swallow does not make a summer. While Billy Twelvetrees has been a lynch pin in a growing side, with Burns in the sin bin this weekend Twelvetrees stepped up to kick a penalty to keep Gloucester in the hunt.
Bath has been enjoying the golden touch and though I may be bending the rules slightly to include him, it's worth it because Gary Gold has been a revelation. The pragmatic South African coach has quickly gone about instilling a task focused mentality in the West Country. Bath are showing a willingness to go through the phases, off loading at every opportunity and running the ball from deep, surprisingly isn't the only way to score tries. Instead fans are seeing a patient game plan, both on and off the field. Gold realises, and has said, first you need the wins then you can start thinking about the style, after all what is the point of losing games well? So on the field they will go through the phases and if necessary grind out a win, the win over Sale wasn't the most attractive. While off the pitch they will get the right results before thinking about the right style. All this under Gary Gold's astute eye.
Perhaps it is a tired joke now but whoever step's into Alesana Tuilagi's shoes has some very big boots to fill. Surprisingly physically Niki Goneva is no Tuilagi, four stone lighter. However a few inches shorter there is a lot of power packed in. Goneva is Fijian, dynamic and explosive back play runs in his blood. He will bring a "who dares wins attitude with the skills to back it up. He's not just a power house, or a flyer, Goneva has vision and superb handling. His balance will give him the right to skip past many players this season, but it also allows him to stay on his feet when going through them. It is testament to Leicester's environment that he has settled in all ready, going from strength to strength, he put in a superb shift in the Tigers win over Exeter.
Goneva isn't the only one who has settled in quickly. Luther Burrell, signed from Sale after a stint with the Sharks and before that Leeds, it looks as if he has finally come to age in a Northampton Saints shirt. If the 6ft3 17 stone centre continues to charge his way through midfields it won't be long till he finds himself doing the same on the international scene, at least at Saxons level. He will have to see off the challenge of George Pisi and Dom Waldouck to win a regular place. While physicality is his biggest attribute and barn storming runs his trade mark, Burrell has good pace and great footwork. His two tries last weekend came by taking players on the outside. Burrell has not realised his true potential yet so it was a shrewd signing by Northampton when he went out looking for a replacement for James Downey and Jon Clarke.
If Saracens are going to find an attacking edge then Chris Ashton is going to be key. Saracens make a lot of half breaks, Mouritz Botha; Brad Barritt et al smashing over the gain line, what they need is someone to pop up on their shoulder to turn it into a clean break. The challenge for Ashton and Saracens is they need to keep the ball in hand to do this, Ashton is already amongst the tries but if he is reduced to catch and kick he will offer nothing to the team, and become personally frustrated. All that aside I thought he looked hungry against Harlequins, Easter's offload found Ashton instead of supporting player and twice Ashton was on hand to give Brit's break a support.
Personally I think new coaches rather than new players have made more of an impact this season, Gary Gold I have already mentioned, Nigel Davies is quietly going around his business at Gloucester, while Bryan Redpath is struggling to stay out of the news or the rumour mill. I'm sure I'll be back in the New Year with another article of players; will any of the players maintain their form?
