Ireland lock James Ryan has hailed the influence of ex-Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber has had on Leinster’s defence.
Nienaber’s defensive system inspired South Africa to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles with the guru joining the Irish Province after the tournament success in 2023.
There has been a bedding-in period for the World Cup-winning head coach with the Irish province but his expertise was clear to see in round three of the Investec Champions Cup as Leinster shut La Rochelle out to secure a 14-16 victory.
Leinster were put under the cosh in the latter stages of the match with the men in blue defending their narrow advantage as Ronan O’Gara men’s pushed for a match-winning score.
The Jacques Nienaber-effect
Flanker Josh van der Flier brilliantly charged down fly-half Antoine Hastoy’s drop goal attempt with the number ten later throwing a forward pass to bring the game to an end.
Leinster v La Rochelle has become a Champions Cup epic in recent seasons, particularly with the two sides facing off in back-to-back finals where the Irish side fell just short and Ryan admits that “we might have lost a couple of years ago.”
Nienaber’s defensive expertise has earned widespread praise following the victory and the Ireland lock has hailed the guru in changing in mindset of players when it comes to defence.
“We’re loving it,” Ryan said after the win.
“The main thing is just discipline. I didn’t think they’d get in for a try but I just didn’t want to give them three, but we got there in the end.
“The lads love the system. They love defending for Leinster.”
He added: “Defence is, it’s all mentality. I thought we had it today [against La Rochelle].
“He [Nienaber] provides very good clarity around the defensive system. When you’re nice and clear going to a game in terms of what’s expected of you and you can focus on bringing the sort of intent piece, the big part of this is clarity.”
Nienaber delivered a moving speech to the Springboks players ahead of the Rugby World Cup final last year and has used similar tactics to get Leinster up for big matches, though Ryan wasn’t giving too much away.
“Yeah, he’s good at that,” he said with a smile. “He’s got a very good feel for the group and what the group needs.”
Key signings
While Nienaber has been hailed for the transformation of Leinster’s defence, Ryan also pointed to the key signings that the Irish province have made this season.
Ex-France tighthead prop Rabah Slimani joined the club from Clermont while RG Snyman switched the red of Munster for the Leinster blue. Then ofcourse the signing of All Blacks star Jordie Barrett on short-term deal certainly turned heads as Leinster look to end their three-year trophyless drought.
“I think our defence has improved and maybe we’re just a little bit more experienced now as a group or a little bit older and we’ve got some guys that have come in and made a real difference like Jordie, RG and Rabah coming on,” Ryan added.
Leinster face off against Bath in what is their final pool stage challenge before the tournament’s knockout stages are confirmed.
READ MORE: Stuart Barnes claims Jacques Nienaber’s Springboks-esque approach could be Leinster’s ‘undoing’
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/ireland-star-hails-jacques-nienabers-clarity-as-leinster-win-a-game-they-might-have-lost-a-couple-of-years-ago
