Matthew Tait Retires

[p/d]

Jones the c*** should do the right thing and give him a run v Italy.

At which position?

Fb.

[Puja]

He will also be remembered for getting Tango'd on debut at Cardiff, when he was still a wee teenager.

He was called up way too early and I think it knocked back his career, especially since Robinson followed up that magnificient bit of decision-making by promptly dropping him for the entire squad. Should've been Ollie Smith for that Wales game, whose career also suffered from the wrong decision, as he was in tremendous form, but got ignored for stodge from there on out as Robinson wouldn't pick an exciting centre again after getting burned once.

I hold a grudge.

Puja

You can see him attempt to be diplomatic about it here.

Wow. He was doing so well until the interviewer came in with, "Was there much support for you in the setup at that time?" and you can literally see the words, "No, I didn't get so much as a fuck off," rise to the edge of his lips before he swallows them down and goes back to being diplomatic. Very dignified in discussion of a situation where he did get utterly shat on. Thank gods for Steve Black, otherwise that could've been much much worse for him.

Puja

[fivepointer]

He will also be remembered for getting Tango'd on debut at Cardiff, when he was still a wee teenager.

He was called up way too early and I think it knocked back his career, especially since Robinson followed up that magnificient bit of decision-making by promptly dropping him for the entire squad. Should've been Ollie Smith for that Wales game, whose career also suffered from the wrong decision, as he was in tremendous form, but got ignored for stodge from there on out as Robinson wouldn't pick an exciting centre again after getting burned once.

I hold a grudge.

Puja

Exactly this.
He was capped too early, but after making that bad call Robinson should have shown a bit of faith in him rather than drop him completely. It was appalling management. And on Ollie Smith, bang on. He should have had a chance when he was in top form.

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah, you can say Tait's career was plagued by injury to some extent, but Smith definitely wins that contest.

Still can't find a clip of him dumping Steyn on his back in the 07 final.

[Spiffy]

Tait had the potential to be one of England's best ever wings, right up there with Duckham and Underwood. He was mucked about by being brought on too soon, played in too many positions, and an endless stream of injuries. At his peak a fantastic player.

[Banquo]

Tait had the potential to be one of England's best ever wings, right up there with Duckham and Underwood. He was mucked about by being brought on too soon, played in too many positions, and an endless stream of injuries. At his peak a fantastic player.

plus hardly ever played wing, other than as an emergency sub. But I agree

[TheDasher]

Yep I agree with Spiffy and Banquo - he was a winger. I remember him playing there for Newcastle and he looked the part. I'm not of the view that he would have been a world beater there personally but I think it should've been his position primarily.

[16th man]

Some fantastic memories of him and Varndell burning off All blacks for fun in the sevens.