Michael Cheika has been blown away by the “loopy” Gallagher Premiership, which he claims eclipses the southern hemisphere in relation to expansive rugby.
The previous Australia and Argentina coach will go away Leicester Tigers on the finish of the season after what he admits has been an eye-opening yr in England.
Any pre-conceived concepts he could have had over the stodgy nature of the English sport have been exploded. “The groups which can be enjoying some loopy footy, like working the ball, have completely shocked me,” mentioned Cheika.
“I hadn’t watched rather a lot beforehand. I watched a few of the video games the Argentinian gamers would have been enjoying in as a result of they’d have been enjoying over right here within the lead-up to the Take a look at matches I’d have coached with them, however I by no means actually anticipated to see what I’ve seen from a few of the groups and the best way that they play their footy. They’ve been far more expansive even than a few of the video games you’ll see down south.
“That has taken me abruptly and it’s been good for me as a result of I needed to actually adapt and alter issues round a bit of bit on the defensive facet. It has been good to see.”
After one other 48 tries within the Premiership final weekend, the league is averaging 7.85 tries per sport this season. Though that’s nonetheless barely beneath Tremendous Rugby, the league is on track for a file common for a daily season with two rounds to go.
The query of whether or not champagne rugby equates to title-winning rugby shall be answered within the play-offs. The highest two golf equipment within the league – Johann van Graan’s Bath and Cheika’s Leicester play a extra balanced sport, though neither could possibly be accused of being one-dimensional.
Tub have scored a league-high 85 tries in 16 matches, whereas the Premiership’s prime particular person attempt scorer this season is Tigers’ wing Ollie Hassell-Collins with 12.
Cheika’s perception is that whereas his tactical strategy fits the Tigers there’s nothing to cease a facet lifting the trophy enjoying razzle-dazzle rugby – as Harlequins did in 2021.
“After all it may be profitable rugby,” he mentioned. “In case you have a look at the groups which can be most evident – Bristol and Gloucester – they’re up there competing for the finals and hard to beat. You’ve received to be in your hammer in opposition to them. They’ve received actually clear on how they need to play the sport, and so they have been very, very aggressive.
“It’s how good you play, the best way you need to play, ultimately and the match-ups you’ll be able to give you.”
