As Australia and South Africa do battle at Lord’s within the World Check Championship ultimate, an Australian coach and a South African coach take their groups to Twickenham for the playoff ultimate.
Each coaches are comparatively new to their present environment, and one, Michael Cheika, is just on a flying go to to the East Midlands. Johann van Graan, then again, isn’t going anyplace anytime quickly, until one thing untoward occurs.
Historical past Repeats
Bathtub and Leicester have performed one another a whopping 209 occasions! The West Nation staff has gained on 75 events. Historical past would possibly favour the Tigers, however Bathtub have gained the final two conferences. When the edges met in Might, the Blue, Black, and Whites ran out resounding victors, 43-15.
That assembly happened at The Recreation Floor again on the 18th of Might. Regardless of the lopsided scoreline, that recreation was a hard-fought, shut affair.
Each groups had 50% possession through the recreation, and each groups gained 17 lineouts. Bathtub shaded the territory battle, with 51%, however conceded extra penalties. Van Graan’s staff conceded 12 to Bathtub’s 9, however they each obtained yellow playing cards for prime tackles.
With Bathtub seeking to full a historic treble this season, you would possibly suppose this recreation is a foregone conclusion. And with Leicester fortunate to even be within the ultimate after Freddie Steward might (and possibly ought to) have conceded a penalty to price them the semi-final, Bathtub followers shall be anticipating a calming afternoon.
The Protagonists
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Cheika has one important benefit over van Graan: the Aussie has coached at Twickenham on 14 totally different events! Graan’s solely go to got here 12 months in the past when his Bathtub staff misplaced 25-21 to Northampton.
The Antipodean Tigers staff has already visited West London this season, drawing 34-34 with Harlequins. That recreation was marked by a 78th-minute attempt by Dan Cole that Handre Pollard transformed to rescue a end result.
What to Count on
With the latest assembly recent within the reminiscence, you may make certain that Bathtub Leicester are going to be decided to proper some wrongs.
After Beno Obano’s crimson card performed a big position in Bathtub’s 2024 ultimate loss, self-discipline shall be key this day out. However with Karl Dickson on the whistle and Ian Tempest as TM,O solely severe penalty offences are going to draw any consideration.
If kind is any information to success, then Leicester are in pole place to take the trophy dwelling. The Tigers needed to battle till the tip in opposition to a cussed Sale staff to make the ultimate. Bathtub solely needed to keep inside touching distance of a Bristol staff who blew themselves out within the first 45 minutes.
Whereas Bathtub have tried to rotate their squad considerably, they’re nearing the tip of a season that has concerned three lengthy cup runs and successful 14 of their 18 league video games.
With historical past, kind and the additional motivation of the pinnacle coach and fly-half departing on the finish of the sport, it isn’t straightforward to see previous a Tigers win.
