Quantcast
Channel: Leicester Mercury Latest Stories Feed
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 9894

Historic night on at Welford Road as Leicester Tigers face All Blacks

$
0
0

Welford Road will be the stage for another historic occasion in Leicester Tigers' long and proud history tonight – the Maori All Blacks are in town.

They will be the third national side to take on the Tigers in the last four years.

The memories of those games against South Africa and Australia are still fresh in the memory.

While Tigers came up just short against the Wallabies in 2010, their famous 22-17 win over the Springboks the previous year has gone down in the annuls of the club as one of its greatest moments.

Back then, two young tyros named Manu Tuilagi and Ben Youngs (who was taking Leicester's goal kicks on the night) announced themselves on the big stage.

Both are now firmly entrenched in the England set-up.

There are more of the club's talented young players on show tonight hoping for a similar leap through the ranks.

Could the likes of fly-half George Ford and lock Graham Kitchener be heading in the same direction?

Will Ed Slater, Mat Tait or young prop Fraser Balmain be England men in three years' time?

If there was ever a night to stake a claim, a visit from a touring Kiwi side boasting a haka and a number of players who have impressed in the Super 15s, would be a good place to make it.

It's the sort of night people could remember for a long while to come and Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has put out his strongest possible side for the fixture.

"We are looking forward to it. There are lots of guys playing tonight who would never normally get that opportunity to play against a side like this and that is fantastic," he said.

"The South Africa and Australia games were good nights and the lads are excited about another chapter being played out. Former Tigers Daryl Gibson and Jamie Hamilton will be back at Welford Road as part of the Maori coaching staff and it will be good to see them again.

"It's a great chance to come and see a quality side with some very, very good players from the Super 15 in it. I am sure there are some All Blacks in the waiting on show tonight."

The game will kick-off with the world-famous haka being played out on the Welford Road surface.

Cockerill made a name for himself during the Maori war dance back in November 1997 when he squared up to opposite number Norm Hewitt before and England-New Zealand game at Old Trafford.

It is a moment he has never been allowed to forget.

"They will be a very physical side and the whole haka thing makes it very interesting," said Cockerill with a wry smile.

"I am sure the question of how to face the haka will be our biggest debate going into the game.

"I will let the players decide that. I was a bit less thoughtful than our lads are when I did it. It should be a great occasion."

Historic night on  at Welford Road as Leicester Tigers face All Blacks


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 9894

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images