Only the best for Heyneke
4 Sep 2008
Heyneke Meyer wants to make the Leicester Tigers the best club team in the world.
Meyer and Leicester’s competitive season begins on Sunday against Gloucester. After his predecessor, Marcelo Loffreda, lasted less than a year, there is pressure on Meyer to deliver in his first season at the helm. Moreover, Meyer wants the Tigers to set the standard in the Premiership and across Europe throughout his next three years in charge.
“My long-term goal is to make Leicester the best club side in the world,” Meyer told The Guardian.
“We should be able to achieve that in my time here. When I left the Bulls after winning the Super 14 last year and failed to get the job of South Africa coach, I thought my time in rugby was over. I turned down a number of offers from international and club sides. Then Leicester came in, a club which shares my vision and values, and here I am.”
Meyer’s vision and values include success via hard work. This is epitomised by the coach’s current injury, where he ruptured his Achilles tendon during training last week. “It was a sort of race. Put it down to team-building. I will be in plaster for six weeks and then see how it goes,” he said.
With these core values in mind, Meyer will only sign players who are willing to put the collective before the individual. “We need a wing because of all the injuries we have: we will take our time because as well as being a world-class player, the guy must fit into the values of the club. Individualism must not come before the team. Every aspect of Leicester and everything we do must be totally professional,” said Meyer.
“It [the English season] will be a new experience for me, but I have watched a lot of Premiership rugby in recent years. It is different to the Currie Cup because it has 12 good teams in it. The English season is tough because three competitions overlap and you have international calls, but we have drawn up plans and we have a very strong squad,” he said.
Much has been talked about the new attacking inclinations of teams under the ELVs, but a pragmatic Meyer noted how sides have to play to their traditional strengths. “We will change tactically, improving when it comes to intensity, skill levels and try scoring, but you always have to play to your strengths.”
Meyer left South Africa having nurtured the best provincial side in the world. You wouldn’t bet against him revitalising a tiring Leicester outfit into the flagship team of Europe.
356 Comments
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4 Sep 2008, 10:33 am
#37 Puma:
I agree,
I was always impressed by his long-term thinking.
He clearly had a goal with the bulls and made it happen by introducing structures, feeder systems, a great work-ethic and team spirit.
It was certainly not luck. and the fruits of his labour was the success of individuals within his teams.
4 Sep 2008, 10:34 am
#36 Tisme:
Only after the ref gave it to them.
4 Sep 2008, 10:34 am
#45 Richie_7: I too am a Shark supporter. I felt just heart broken that day as we really should have won it if Steyn just kicked the ball out. Thats all that was needed. Bryan Habana was good though. Never mind we will get our day. That is if all the other Provinces don’t come and steal our guys away. Adi may go to Province Pienaar and Steyn may go overseas. Barrit is leaving. It does not look good for next year. Also thought when Campo was helping with the backline we were much better there.
4 Sep 2008, 10:35 am
#36 Tisme: O and the Sharks was the best team this year as well by finishing third.
4 Sep 2008, 10:35 am
#42 black_marc: Bias is the the spectacles through which an IDIOT view the world. You support the All Black and to you they were and always will be the best in the world – no matter where the thropies stand.
4 Sep 2008, 10:36 am
What do you guys want Grant to have written? Maybe something like “having natured the Franchise who won the Super 14 during the devaluated 2007 competition”. Although this is probably more accurate it does not sound so good therefore he rather exaggerated a bit. It works like that in journalism.
4 Sep 2008, 10:37 am
Funny that, the bulls get one S14 title, and win the CC a few years ago, and all of a sudden they are the best franchise in the world! If only it was so easy – I would say currently they have pretty tough competition with a few other franchises around the world. N & S. Crusaders spring to mind, but I am sure there are a few others around who would win more than they lost. Would be nice to see some N vs S franchise competitions to be able to compare comparitive standards.
4 Sep 2008, 10:38 am
#51 black_marc: Agree with you. He has a good rugby brain and his long-term thinking is what done it. He is one just like Jake that believes in structure. He has a great work ethic. He will no doubt get a great team spirit going where he is now. Always wonder what it would have been if he was our Bok coach? Just always a thought. Such a great loss to lose him to overseas. Has a lot of respect of the players here too.
4 Sep 2008, 10:39 am
#49 It is just a game: If that argument holds water the Rugby WC is a useless event, cause the AB’s have been the best world team for a decade now?
4 Sep 2008, 10:41 am
#50 Richie_7: lets agree we perceive it differently
4 Sep 2008, 10:41 am
#57 Crowthorne:
I think SA would thrive in a North vs South club competition. The English/Irish teams seem to enjoy the forward dominance game too, and SA culd dominate
New Zealand clubs though would love the French club style though – more open running and looser
4 Sep 2008, 10:41 am
#60 Tisme:
I agree completely! There is no right or wrong
4 Sep 2008, 10:42 am
#56 Robzim: Everyone has learned a new word “devalued”. If your team doesn’t win something then a competition is devalued.
Well in that case the currie cup has been devalued since it’s inception except for the 1976, 2005, 2006 and 2007 seasons where its has been the thoughest rugby competition in the world. Even harder than the WC. So that makes the Cheetahs the best rugby team of ALL time.
Some people just never fail to amaze me.
4 Sep 2008, 10:42 am
#59 Tisme: Which there are IRB awards for.
4 Sep 2008, 10:42 am
#61 Richie_7: Agree but the French pay for more than the English. I think. So NZ would score big time going there. Also France is a warmer place to play rugby that is if you are not based in Paris.
4 Sep 2008, 10:44 am
Cheers all out of here. Have to go out. Chat later.
4 Sep 2008, 10:44 am
#64 It is just a game: That the boks won 2 of in the last 4 years….. but you say they were not desevedly awarded cause tha AB’s have won more consistently!
4 Sep 2008, 10:46 am
#55 adj nm:
Once again, who is the idiot? Why do you assume just because the word black is in my name that i support the all blacks?
Is it because i am able to look at things objectively?
I am not an all black supporter. I am a south african through and through.
Black refers to my surname.
having the world cup is great. I can say with complete honesty though, that i would much rather have the best winning percentage year after year.
4 Sep 2008, 10:49 am
#56 Robzim:
no, maybe “having nurtured the blue Bulls from S14 also-rans to serious contenders and 2007 S14 champions”
4 Sep 2008, 10:49 am
#67 Tisme: Which means the Boks were the best in those two specific years.
4 Sep 2008, 10:49 am
#68 black_marc: Agree, but some AB’s will just want to hold the WC for 4 years
4 Sep 2008, 10:50 am
Best side in the world? My arse. They won a watered down S14. Everyone knows the Crusaders are the best club team in the world, followed by probably Wasps, or Munster, or even Toulouse. Only then can you start adding the remaining S14 sides.
You don’t become the best team in the world overnight. It requires consistency.
But good luck to Meyer, he’s at a club with a winning mentality.
4 Sep 2008, 10:51 am
#70 It is just a game: Thats the fkn point, read #34
4 Sep 2008, 10:52 am
#72 RedMan: Fkt whats with the reading….. best PROVINCIAL team….. Wasps, Muster etc are CLUBS !
4 Sep 2008, 10:52 am
#63 adj nm:
I do not know what you are talking about. I addressed another issue in my post (and also slightly tongue in the cheek).
4 Sep 2008, 10:52 am
#71 Tisme:
Fair enough!
4 Sep 2008, 10:55 am
#73 Tisme: We can debate for hours but we wont convince the other wether the Sharks or Bulls is the better team.
4 Sep 2008, 10:57 am
#74 Tisme: I think you”ll find Munster is a province, in Ireland. Anyway, it’s the same thing – province\counties\districts etc…
4 Sep 2008, 10:59 am
They’re not even the best franchise in the world. In any case, do the Bulls represent a province? I think not.
4 Sep 2008, 11:00 am
GRANT
“Much has been talked about the new attacking inclinations of teams under the ELVs, but a pragmatic Meyer noted how sides have to play to their traditional strengths.”
..
so why didnt it suprise to find that line in there??
well as someone said yesterday
this
is
clown city,
so its expected, isnt it?
4 Sep 2008, 11:01 am
#77 It is just a game: No we wont, its just that your argument is flawed, if the bulls won the S14, they are the best team for that specific year….. irrespective of injuries, resting players etc. The Crusaders are the best performing (consistent) team
Just like the AB’s being the most consistent team but certainly not the best in 2007, if the were they wouldnt have lost to france in the WC
4 Sep 2008, 11:02 am
#81 Tisme:
Bingo!
4 Sep 2008, 11:04 am
I hope Heynke will lead the Boks in the future.. Right now I would have to stick with Devilliers.
4 Sep 2008, 11:06 am
#81 Tisme: So you agree all the other years the Sharks was the top performer in the S14 and S10 that they were they best SA team.
4 Sep 2008, 11:10 am
#84 It is just a game: Yes, if the ended top of the log against all the SA teams they were the best SA team…… When you reach the top 4, you have to prove that you deserve that top spot…. and the really top team is determined through semi’s & the final…… the top 2 teams are rewarded with home ground advantage….. but they must win the final to be the best for that year
4 Sep 2008, 11:11 am
#80 asha1: it was Clown Town – but Clown City will do
4 Sep 2008, 11:15 am
#81 Tisme: and using your logic – who was the best team in the world in 2007 – The Boks, because they won the World Cup?
If so, the Boks were beaten twice by the All Blacks in 2007
Enjoy the fact that the Boks won the World Cup but dont try and translate that into them being the best side in the world
4 Sep 2008, 11:18 am
#87 vindicated: After the 3n, the AB’s were the best side, after the WC the Boks….. as I said, rather simple…. that if you are not an idiot….. and support the wallabies
4 Sep 2008, 11:20 am
#88 Tisme: and if Aussie beat New Zealand next week then the Boks will be the 3rd best side in the world ?
4 Sep 2008, 11:21 am
WP till I die – waar is jy..
Ek sien jy’s oppie site…
4 Sep 2008, 11:22 am
No, we are alredy 3rd best for this year…..propping the 3n table makes us 3rd best for 2008….. again rather simple isnt it?
4 Sep 2008, 11:24 am
See the Sharks are still moaning and complaining about the s14 final…jeez guys. You lost! Accept it! Its 18months later…sore losers…
4 Sep 2008, 11:24 am
#88 Tisme: your logic is flawed and you are relying on a victory in one tournament
If you get beaten home and away by the All Blacks then you are not the best team that year as there is at least one team that has beaten you twice
You cant claim that wins against England, Samoa, Fiji, USA and Argentina make you the best side in the world – as there will always be one other side who has beaten you twice in the same year and therefore you have no right to claim best team status
4 Sep 2008, 11:27 am
#91 Tisme: but you are ranked 2nd in the world
So how can you be 3rd best ?
4 Sep 2008, 11:29 am
#93 vindicated: OK i will claim the AB’s loss to france then!
If the WC means nothing why have it?
4 Sep 2008, 11:29 am
#93 vindicated: So you agree that England was better than the Wallabies in 2007.
4 Sep 2008, 11:30 am
The only way to establish which international/provincial/club side is the best side in the world respectively is to look at the amalgamation of statistics and current form….period.
Games played/won/lost.
Current form: competitive/headless chicken ala bulls during the first half of this year.
4 Sep 2008, 11:30 am
#94 vindicated: Again WC ranking is based on consistency….. ffs what is so hard to understand….. we are talking specific years, in 2008 we should be ranked 3rd
4 Sep 2008, 11:33 am
#98 Tisme: no mate, we ARE ranked 2nd at the moment. why SHOULD we be 3rd then?
4 Sep 2008, 11:33 am
#95 Tisme: who is saying it means nothing – not me ?
What I am saying is that it is a bit of a stretch to claim you are the best team in the world because you win a specific tournament
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