At the Stade Chaban-Delmas, Geoff Parling, the head coach of Leicester Tigers, alongside forward Hanro Liebenberg, addressed the media with a candid understanding of where their match had slipped away. "We are incredibly frustrated," Parling admitted, reflecting on a game that had quickly spiraled away from their control against the reigning champions during a crucial twenty-minute lapse.
"That period between the 20th and 40th minutes, we let the game get away from us," Parling elaborated. The team found themselves caught in a repetitive loop, struggling to revert to their foundational skills, which proved costly. Despite a brief resurgence where Leicester outscored their opponents 14-10 in the third quarter, the damage had been done.
Liebenberg pinpointed the root of their struggles with stark clarity. "In that first half, we had seven possessions in their half and we turned the ball over every single time. We can't afford to be that loose; it plays right into their hands," he explained.
"Basics are key, and today reminded us never to let them slip," said Liebenberg.
While reflecting on their overall performance, Parling was nuanced in his critique. "We moved the ball well this season, but it should never compromise our basics—our set-piece and our collision in defence," he stated, emphasizing the importance of core skills over flair.
The conditions in Bordeaux also posed a unique challenge, vastly different from the cooler climes of Leicester. "The heat was a factor, but the atmosphere here is unbelievable. It’s an awesome place to play," Liebenberg added, his admiration for the venue clear despite the outcome.
Parling refused to use the atmospheric pressure as an excuse. "The resources, the crowd, the support they have here is excellent, but our expectation is to always perform better," he said.
On the broader scale of competition between English and French rugby, Parling provided a thoughtful perspective.
"If the best English teams have their best players available, they can go toe-to-toe with anyone. It's about depth and resources," he noted.
He also highlighted the tactical prowess of Bordeaux, particularly their ability to maintain an offloading game which is indicative of their control in collisions and momentum.
Liebenberg and Parling both expressed a forward-looking attitude despite the setback. "It’s a lesson for us. We have Premiership games ahead, and it’s crucial we take this experience, refocus on our basics, and move forward," Parling concluded, signaling a resilient approach to their upcoming fixtures.
Today's match might have been a tough lesson, but it was one that Leicester is poised to learn from, aiming to blend their strategic insights with reinforced basic play to forge a stronger path forward in the Premiership.
349 posts
At the Stade Chaban-Delmas, Geoff Parling, the head coach of Leicester Tigers, alongside forward Hanro Liebenberg, addressed the media with a candid understanding of where their match had slipped away. "We are incredibly frustrated," Parling admitted, reflecting on a game that had quickly spiraled away from their control against the reigning champions during a crucial twenty-minute lapse.
"That period between the 20th and 40th minutes, we let the game get away from us," Parling elaborated. The team found themselves caught in a repetitive loop, struggling to revert to their foundational skills, which proved costly. Despite a brief resurgence where Leicester outscored their opponents 14-10 in the third quarter, the damage had been done.
Liebenberg pinpointed the root of their struggles with stark clarity. "In that first half, we had seven possessions in their half and we turned the ball over every single time. We can't afford to be that loose; it plays right into their hands," he explained.
"Basics are key, and today reminded us never to let them slip," said Liebenberg.
While reflecting on their overall performance, Parling was nuanced in his critique. "We moved the ball well this season, but it should never compromise our basics—our set-piece and our collision in defence," he stated, emphasizing the importance of core skills over flair.
The conditions in Bordeaux also posed a unique challenge, vastly different from the cooler climes of Leicester. "The heat was a factor, but the atmosphere here is unbelievable. It’s an awesome place to play," Liebenberg added, his admiration for the venue clear despite the outcome.
Parling refused to use the atmospheric pressure as an excuse. "The resources, the crowd, the support they have here is excellent, but our expectation is to always perform better," he said.
On the broader scale of competition between English and French rugby, Parling provided a thoughtful perspective.
"If the best English teams have their best players available, they can go toe-to-toe with anyone. It's about depth and resources," he noted.
He also highlighted the tactical prowess of Bordeaux, particularly their ability to maintain an offloading game which is indicative of their control in collisions and momentum.Liebenberg and Parling both expressed a forward-looking attitude despite the setback. "It’s a lesson for us. We have Premiership games ahead, and it’s crucial we take this experience, refocus on our basics, and move forward," Parling concluded, signaling a resilient approach to their upcoming fixtures.
Today's match might have been a tough lesson, but it was one that Leicester is poised to learn from, aiming to blend their strategic insights with reinforced basic play to forge a stronger path forward in the Premiership.