Jacques Nienaber's Insight: Leinster vs. La Rochelle Champions Cup Quarter-Final
Image Credit: sean lynch
Leinster will host La Rochelle. The match is the Champions Cup quarter-final this Saturday. This clash is especially intriguing. Leinster has already beaten La Rochelle in this year's competition. Yet, it's worth noting that La Rochelle has had the upper hand in the past two finals. Leinster's senior coach is Jacques Nienaber. He has been planning how his side will match La Rochelle's physicality, a key part of their game.
Leinster Vs La Rochelle
Leinster and La Rochelle are two of the best sides in Europe. They have been fierce rivals in the recent finals of the competition. La Rochelle has emerged victorious in those finals, showcasing their dominance. Yet, the Irish side pulled off a remarkable result away from home in the group stage of the competition. They proved their resilience. La Rochelle is coming off a win against the DHL Stormers, a testament to their form. Leinster, dominated Leicester last weekend to secure their round of 16 win. Both teams have had many close encounters. The quarter-final promises to be a great battle.
Jacques Nienaber On La Rochelle Coming to Ireland Early
Good coaches lead both teams. They have planned their strategies for this big match . La Rochelle's head coach is O'Gara. He is a beloved figure in Ireland. The Irishman has been the mastermind behind his team's European success. Nienaber is a Leinster senoir coach. He has been preparing his team to match La Rochelle's physicality. The anticipation is high. Two great teams will face off in this quarter-final.
"I know he's from Munster and Cork, but I wouldn't know if that would be (his reason)…your guess is as good as mine," said Nienaber.
"If he or his team gets a lift in Cork, I don't know.
He's the expert, not me. We've done it many times in the Rugby Championship, having been in that situation before with the Boks."
Nienaber On The Physical Battle
La Rochelle is physical. In the past, Leinster has struggled to match them. Yet Nienaber is sure that they will be fine on Saturday.
"Yes, there will be a narrative that they are bigger, heavier, and bigger bullies," said Nienaber.
"Look at reality. Irish players on the Irish national side are smaller. They are smaller than players on other national sides. In the top tier nations, no side is bigger or heavier than Ireland.
"The secret of any knockout game is you've got to be accurate in what you do; it's accuracy that gets you across the line.
"Every knockout game is the biggest one of the season because there is no tomorrow if you lose.
"Luckily, there's another competition you will enter. You will face the same pressure and importance in the quarter-finals. The pressure will be the same in the semi-finals and final of ERC.
"So, yes, it is the organisation's biggest game of the season because it's the quarter-final of Europe."
Quotes via Irish Mirror
It will be an exciting game on Saturday and could affect how the tournament plays out.
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