Fidelity SecureDrive Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys and Springbok Victor Mattfield defended Leinster's defence coach, Jacques Nienaber, who was made the unfair scapegoat for Leinster's 41-19 loss to Bordeaux Bègles in the Investec Champions Cup final.
“Yes, everything is apparently his fault.”
“Its actually terrible to see how the people blame him, because we all know just how good he is and what he means to a team. It feels as if the Irish don’t value him for what he does for the team. Inside the team, they will know what he contributes, and they will value that contribution, but outside, it doesn’t look that way, especially if you see the way he gets thrown under the bus every time the team loses.
“Apparently, he isn’t even allowed to breathe in the coach’s box. There is a lot of ugly stuff being said about him, but we know him, we have worked with him and know who he is.”
“However, we’ve worked with him and know what he can do and who he is. We do not doubt the quality he brings to Leinster, but it doesn’t look like the Irish appreciate him.”
Victor Mattfield explained on the Rugby Rivals podcast that defensive success relies heavily on the raw physicality required to make it work, implying Leinster's issues lie in execution and physical dominance rather than Nienaber's system.
"We really believe it's just that physicality. With a Springbok team, every time they make a tackle, they kill the ball right there. It's a slow ball, and they can get into space again.”
"Unfortunately, with Leinster, although they're there for the first few phases, they don't slow the ball down. So it's quick ball, one cleanout at the ruck, and Bordeaux had people on their feet. If you want to defend like that, you need the physicality as well."