Jacques Nienaber is celebrating two great wins for Leinster recently, and he thinks these victories are a reward for all the hard work the team has put in this season. Nienaber, who took over as Leinster’s coach just a year and a half ago, has made a real impact, especially since he coached South Africa to a World Cup win last year. He’s known for pushing strong forward play, and that’s been key for Leinster, helping them reach the Champions Cup semi-finals while leading in the United Rugby Championship. Leinster Must Flip the Switch.
In the last two weekends, Leinster scored an impressive 114 points without any reply, taking down both Harlequins and Glasgow Warriors. Now, they need to shift gears from European games and get back to league play. They’ll be up against Northampton Saints on May 3 in a big Champions Cup final qualifier. First, they have a match against Ulster at Aviva Stadium this Saturday, looking to solidify their top spot after winning 13 out of 14 league games so far. Leinster Must Flip the Switch.
Nienaber shared with RTÉ Sport that seeing the scores go up has been the best part for him. It allows the team to be more aggressive in controlling the game. He’s happy for the players who are now starting to see the results of their hard work. “You can really see the effort they put in during the week and how hard they’re working. It’s great to see that paying off on the field,” he said. Leinster Must Flip the Switch.
Looking ahead to the derby against Ulster, Nienaber knows it’ll be a tough match. He pointed out that the first game in Belfast was close, and Leinster’s 27-20 win was a bit misleading. “Derby matches and inter-provincial games are always tough,” he noted. To keep the team competitive, he mentioned the need for rotating players after two weeks of tough European matches. But it’s not just about keeping everyone happy; it’s about making sure they’re ready to play. Finding the right balance in player selection is key to keeping them sharp for what’s next. In the end, Nienaber said the main focus is on getting wins and keeping the team in top shape.
