With new players that they signed in the off season such as Joel Reddy and Adam Blair,[3] the team seemed well placed to win their second premiership title.
[6] Despite the result, the Tigers performed well in small areas of the game, which showed in terms of the team's overall statistics at the end of the season.
They lacked penetration, however, ranking close to the bottom in the league in terms of line breaks, tackle busts, off loads and metres gained.
[6] The failure of the club's new signings to perform as expected hurt the Tigers, while injuries to several key players, including Robbie Farah and Lote Tuqiri, compounded their situation.
Benji Marshall stood in as captain in Farah's absence,[7] and was the team's top scorer, with 167 points,[6] which was fifth overall in the competition.