Springboks legend insists Leinster yet to get ‘full value’ from Jacques Nienaber
Former Springboks lock Victor Matfield believes that Leinster can get even better with Jacques Nienaber at the helm.
This is true even after their incredible Champions Cup victory over La Rochelle, which combined Nienaber’s philosophy with the Irish province’s offensive prowess.
In an attempt to win their first championship in three years, they were unrelenting in their defense and made suggestions about a team that has strengthened their already formidable arsenal.
But according to Matfield, the Irishmen still have it in them to win the competition, which will demonstrate the real impact of the former head coach of the Boston Celtics.
Dominant Leinster
He remarked, “We saw last week that Leinster was absolutely dominating (La Rochelle).” “The semi-finals and finals will showcase his true worth – should Leinster win both events, everyone will understand why they brought Jacques in.”
Following the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup victory in France, where they overcame the All Blacks 12–11 in the championship match, the 51-year-old signed with Leinster.
After winning the world tournament the year before, South Africa won the competition twice in a row. Matfield attributed Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus’ skill to preparation.
He said, “The two of them, they live, eat, sleep rugby.”
“He’s very confident in how he sees the game and what he believes in. When you get someone like that, even if it’s a team that has been playing differently to what he’s used to, he’ll bring something that will definitely help them.
“The biggest thing about Jacques’s defence is work-rate, it’s getting off the ground and getting off the line.
“If you look at Leinster on attack, if they apply that to their defence: that same work-rate, getting into the shape, being an option, getting off the line and being accurate in what you do, they’ll just get better.”
Jordie Barrett signing
Leinster will only get stronger next season after bringing in All Blacks star Jordie Barrett on a short-term contract.
It was a move which sent shockwaves around Europe and South Africa, and Matfield thinks that it is a signing that will move them “further ahead” of their rivals.
“Bringing a top player like that to your union is always great,” he remarked.
“It’s simply an alternative perspective on how things operate, borrowing some ideas from that and adding All Blacks intellectual property to that team.”
“They have the nearly unbeatable Leinster team, the incredible Ireland team that has won everything, and you’ve added Jacques Nienaber, so you’ve brought something from the successful Springboks.”
“And now one of the All Blacks’ stars, Jordie Barrett, is joining you. Simply said, it’s adding more IP to the system, which should make it harder for other clubs and likely put Leinster even more ahead of the competition.
