VIDEO: Jacques Nienaber 'excited' to face the Bulls at Loftus
Yesterday at 02:57 PM
Table-topping Leinster may be without 20-odd internationals, but they believe they still have enough quality to topple a powerful Bulls team in a United Rugby Championship face-off at Loftus Versfeld.
Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber confirmed that none of their Ireland internationals are in Pretoria at the start of their build-up towards the Round 13 encounter.
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Having departed Dublin this past Saturday - the same day as Ireland's 22-17 win over Italy in Rome - none of the province's internationals are in Pretoria.
That rules out players like Hugo Keenan, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy and Sam Prendergast.
They will rely heavily on a handful of other internationals - like All Black Jordie Barrett and Springbok RG Snyman.
"We watched the [Ireland versus Italy game] at the airport," Nienaber said.
"We are getting feedback from the Irish staff and medics regarding injuries and management protocols - if there are any to fulfil.
"The majority of the squad we used [in the wins] against Cardiff [42-24] and Ospreys [22-19] are here [in Pretoria].
"And we are hopeful that some of the lads who participated in the Six Nations can join us [later]."
(WATCH as two-time former Springbok and current Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber speaks about the 'excitement' of facing the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld....)
He said there are three groups in the Leinster squad.
"The group already in our building throughout the Six Nations. And then two Irish groups, those who featured in the most minutes [ in the Six Nations].
"I would even include James Lowe in that, even though he got injured in the warm-up against France as he had been preparing all week for that game for a Test match in the Six Nations.
"And then there is the group on the fringe who weren't in the match-day squad or travelling 25 or 26, or whatever it was.
"It makes it a bit difficult because it is case-by-case management.
"Unfortunately with them playing in Rome and us travelling, there are also those logistics at the front end of the week and some will only filter in when they become available.
"Possibly week two, we will get a few. However, we wait and see. It's all about individual management."
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Turning to the Loftus face-off, the two-time World Cup winner said the Bulls are a well-organised settled team.
"Our challenge is the experience of their internationals," Nienaber told @rugby365com.
Scrumhalf Luke McGrath said the Bulls have threats all over the park, labelling them and "world-class" team.
The other challenge is having their South African tour in the Six Nations window or in the immediate aftermath of the Northern Hemisphere Test championship - just ahead of the Champions Cup play-offs.
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"That makes it a bit tough," Nienaber said, adding: "However, the group that is here [in Pretoria] is relishing the challenge.
"They are selected because we believe they are good enough to get a result [win] for us on Saturday.
"It is exciting to come to Loftus and play a team that has multiple international threats.
"We want to test ourselves against the best and that is what we will do on Saturday.
"We know mentally and physically we will have to be at our best on Saturday."
@king365ed
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