It was interesting to see the reaction to another group of signings by the Tigers this week, with no common consensus on which one would be the best for the Tigers.
When Luke Wallace was announced on Monday morning, it was a name, a face and haircut well known to supporters of Premiership rugby after a decade at Harlequins.
His arrival was seen as a positive addition to experience and depth in key positions in a back row stable without Sione Kalamafoni and Guy Thompson since Tigers last played. It was a great way to kick off the week, too, with fans describing the move as a “fantastic” and “storming” signing on social media.
Few supporters will know much about Guy Porter, the signing from Australia, but everyone wished him well – as well as looking forward to confusion caused by the potential inclusion of a Potter and a Porter in the same backline.
Next on the list of announcements was Kobus Van Wyk, a South African playing in New Zealand and a name (if not a haircut as the long locks have gone) which had not gone unnoticed to anyone who gets up early on weekends to watch Super Rugby.
YouTube highlights show a powerful finisher out wide and willing, physical carrier through midfield while there were comments on social media from supporters in South Africa and in New Zealand wishing him well while preferring he’d stayed with them. “Heck of a signing,” said one.
Fijian back Kini Murimurivalu was then announced as a Tigers signing and there were plenty of excitable comments about what he can add. Ten years in French club rugby and three successive World Cups says almost all you need to know.
Murimurivalu brings an x-factor, combining power and panache from wing or full-back to go with the love of broken field so often seen in Fijian strike runners. There was liberal use of the word “awesome” to describe the news and there are plenty of videos out there to show his threat.
But the excitement wasn’t quite done yet, with the final announcement revealing the signing of Matias Moroni, the Argentina international centre or wing and a tryscorer against England in the World Cup last year. “Now THAT’S a signing,” read a response to the news.
And that before the announcement of Jasper Wiese's signing on Thursday - and who doesn't love a hard-running, hard-hitting No8?
It seems supporters already have their own favourites among all of the new faces, with Nemani Nadolo and Cyle Brink also among those already afforded a generous welcome.
Seeing each of them in a green, white and red shirt – or the new rainbow one for that matter – is the moment we’re now yearning for. A busy week on the recruitment front ratchets up the anticipation. Hopefully the day won’t be too far off now.
