As the Investec Champions Cup final approaches, Leinster’s forwards coach Robin McBryde sheds light on the threats posed by Bordeaux Bègles, with Carlü Sadie at the forefront of the conversation. The South African tighthead prop, who made the switch from the Sharks to the French squad in 2023, has been a formidable force in Bordeaux's lineup, appearing in 66 games, including six critical starts in this season’s Champions Cup.
McBryde didn’t mince words when praising Sadie’s impact on the field. “You’ve got Sadie, who’s an outstanding scrummager,” he highlighted, acknowledging the player's significant contribution to Bordeaux's success. The coach also commended other key players, noting, “You’ve got somebody like [Tongan prop] Ben Tameifuna who’s a bit of an icon for them now. He gets around the loose as well and he’s pretty destructive from five metres out.”
“I don’t know where to start really,”
The cohesion of Bordeaux was another point of emphasis for McBryde, who admired their collective gameplay and strategic alignment. “They’ve got some great individuals, but they play collectively very well. They’ve got a great understanding collectively as a team,” he explained.
Additionally, the influence of loose forward Cameron Woki was not overlooked. McBryde praised, “Woki’s outstanding as an individual, but the way that he plays with the 9 and 10, they’re obviously all on the same page,” indicating a well-oiled machine moving into the finals.
Leinster itself is no stranger to the pressures of big games, carrying forward lessons from recent final defeats. McBryde shared a mix of reflection and humor about their past challenges. “If you were to add all our best moments in the finals, I’m sure somewhere you’d be able to put a final together that we actually win,” he joked, adding, “We just need to stack those good moments on top of good moments and live in that moment.”
This epic showdown in Bilbao not only sets the stage for an intense battle of rugby prowess but also a test of strategic mastery and team spirit. As these two titans clash, it will indeed be a spectacle worth watching.
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As the Investec Champions Cup final approaches, Leinster’s forwards coach Robin McBryde sheds light on the threats posed by Bordeaux Bègles, with Carlü Sadie at the forefront of the conversation. The South African tighthead prop, who made the switch from the Sharks to the French squad in 2023, has been a formidable force in Bordeaux's lineup, appearing in 66 games, including six critical starts in this season’s Champions Cup.
McBryde didn’t mince words when praising Sadie’s impact on the field. “You’ve got Sadie, who’s an outstanding scrummager,” he highlighted, acknowledging the player's significant contribution to Bordeaux's success. The coach also commended other key players, noting, “You’ve got somebody like [Tongan prop] Ben Tameifuna who’s a bit of an icon for them now. He gets around the loose as well and he’s pretty destructive from five metres out.”
“I don’t know where to start really,”
The cohesion of Bordeaux was another point of emphasis for McBryde, who admired their collective gameplay and strategic alignment. “They’ve got some great individuals, but they play collectively very well. They’ve got a great understanding collectively as a team,” he explained.
Additionally, the influence of loose forward Cameron Woki was not overlooked. McBryde praised, “Woki’s outstanding as an individual, but the way that he plays with the 9 and 10, they’re obviously all on the same page,” indicating a well-oiled machine moving into the finals.
Leinster itself is no stranger to the pressures of big games, carrying forward lessons from recent final defeats. McBryde shared a mix of reflection and humor about their past challenges. “If you were to add all our best moments in the finals, I’m sure somewhere you’d be able to put a final together that we actually win,” he joked, adding, “We just need to stack those good moments on top of good moments and live in that moment.”
This epic showdown in Bilbao not only sets the stage for an intense battle of rugby prowess but also a test of strategic mastery and team spirit. As these two titans clash, it will indeed be a spectacle worth watching.