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Springboks' most ripped player labels S&C coach Aled Walters 'one of or if not the best in the business'
Leicester Tigers’ incoming head of physical performance Aled Walters has been described as “one of or if not the best in the business” by South Africa centre Jesse Kriel. The Welshman will arrive at Welford Road as part of a significant turnover of players and staff under new coach Steve Borthwick, with the arrival of new attack coach Rob Taylor being announced recently as well.
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Walters has spent the past two years with the Springboks as head of athletic performance, having teamed up with Rassie Erasmus following their time together with Munster. As part of the coaching team, they won the Rugby World Cup last year, as well as the Rugby Championship a few months before.
Much of the South African public recognise how fundamental Walters was to the team’s success in Japan. The manner in which they swamped England in the final with their oppressive defence is an indication of the condition the players were in, as they played a taxing style of rugby. Kriel, who was part of the Springboks squad, has been quick to praise the departing coach on Twitter, describing this as a “great signing” for the Tigers.
One of or if not the best in the business. It’s been a pleasure brother. Thank you for the great memories 🙌🏼 @AledWalters @LeicesterTigers great signing 👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/itGaKXVMwb
— Jesse Kriel (@JesseKriel15) May 6, 2020
Likewise, former Leicester centre Matt Toomua has commented on what a signing this is on social media, as the pair would have worked with each other at the Brumbies between 2011-12.
So far, over 20 players are set to leave the Midlands club at the end of the season, in what is looking to be a fresh start after a barren few years for the English giants.
The Tigers are only spared from sitting at the bottom of the Gallagher Premiership this season by the unique circumstances in which Saracens have already been relegated. Their guaranteed survival this season should not gloss over the severity of the situation they were in before all rugby was suspended as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. But the high praise Walters has received is another positive sign for Leicester that they are heading in the right direction under Borthwick.
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