Comments from Leicester Tigers chairman appear to shut door on Tuilagi u-turn
Leicester Tigers chairman Peter Tom says Manu Tuilagi’s exit from the club is ‘extremely sad’ but he wishes the England ‘all the best’.
Tigers confirmed earlier this week that five of the playing squad will be leaving the club due to financial difficulties created by the coronavirus pandemic, including star centre Tuilagi. Now, speaking on LTTV, the Leicester Tigers chairman has directly addressed the situation.
“I’m disappointed to a degree. We’d have much preferred to have these conversations in private.
“I fully respect everyone coming to their own conclusion. At the end of the day they have to come to their conclusion about what’s best for their families and things like that. The point is five guys have decided that they are going to move on.
“The positive side of that is that a high percentage of the squad had no issues and understood the situation and we’re prepared to accept it and take the Tigers forward. Like I say, I’d prefer it hadn’t happened in the media.
“The fact was these tough decisions had to be made.”
The chairman was asked was he happy with how Leicester Tigers handled their ‘side of the situation’.
“You read the media and occasionally I read social media. The majority of our supporters understand what a very difficult situation this is.
“I even had some supportive messages this morning. I also had a few giving me a good kicking as well.
“This is all about how to ensure the survival of Leicester Tigers. That’s foremost in all our minds.
“We would like to share everything with everybody but ultimately we can’t.”
Tom also touched directly on Tuilagi’s exit, bringing to an end a two-decade long relationship between the club and the famous Tuilagi family. His comments suggest don’t offer much hope for a u-turn by the centre or the club.
“To see Manu moving on is extremely sad for the club. Obviously, we wish him all the best.”
Reports over the weekend suggested Tuilagi and the club were still speaking, but Mr Tom’s comments appear to suggest that his exit is a permanent one.
Chief executive Andrea Pinchen stated earlier this week that Tuilagi, Telusa Veainu, Greg Bateman, Noel Reid and Kyle Eastmond had all refused to accept pay cuts. Sale Sharks are now reported to be in talks with the Samoan born back.
Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments