Boks star as Tigers reach quarterfinals
MATCH REPORT: Springboks Jasper Wiese and Handre Pollard scored all their team’s points as Leicester Tigers booked their place in the Champions Cup quarterfinals.
The Tigers saw off Edinburgh 16-6 in an enthralling, physical battle at Welford Road.
Pollard’s penalty put Leicester ahead at the break, but Edinburgh started the second half strongly and two Emiliano Boffelli efforts from the tee saw them take the lead.
However, Jasper Wiese’s stunning try saw the momentum swing back in Leicester’s favour and Pollard added a further eight points as the hosts ground out victory in difficult conditions.
Leicester will play the winner of Saturday’s game between Leinster and Ulster in next week’s quarterfinals.
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🤜 STORMING THROUGH 🤛@LeicesterTigers‘ Jasper Wiese bounds through the Edinburgh defence for the first try of the match 🔥#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/QvgVFutwPr
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) March 31, 2023
Wiese’s try proved a decisive moment for the hosts, while Handré Pollard contributed 11 points from the tee in testing conditions.
The unrelenting drizzle made for a scrappy affair and Leicester was on top during the opening exchanges, flyhalf Pollard slotting a penalty on four minutes to give the hosts the lead.
Leicester’s forwards would largely be in command for the first 20 minutes, though Pollard couldn’t take advantage of his second kick at the posts after a scrum penalty.
Edinburgh began to gain possession more frequently at the breakdown as the half wore on and went into the break in the ascendancy, but they were unable to notch any points after a mounting series of attacks in the final 10 minutes.
But the United Rugby Championship outfit carried that momentum into the second half and fullback Emiliano Boffelli kicked two penalties in 10 minutes to hand them the lead as they began to regularly cross the gainline.
However, No.8 Wiese, who came off the bench half-time, produced a momentum of magic for Leicester after Edinburgh wing Duhan van der Merwe lost the ball in contact five metres from his own line.
With his back to the whitewash, Wiese scooped up, looped round and ploughed through Edinburgh flank Jamie Ritchie before tiptoeing down the touchline and crossing.
That score took the sting out of Edinburgh somewhat, and Pollard, who had added the extras, hit the target again from a penalty to take Leicester seven points clear on the hour mark.
Handling errors continued to litter the contest and Edinburgh let another ball spill forward before Ritchie was penalised for not rolling away, allowing Pollard to kick Leicester 10 points clear with 10 minutes to go.
Edinburgh’s quarterfinal hopes faded as a combination of their inaccuracy and Leicester’s physicality allowed the Premiership side to see the game out.
The scorers
For Leicester Tigers
Try: Wiese
Con: Pollard
Pens: Pollard 3
For Edinburgh
Pens: Bofelli
Teams
Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Guy Porter, 12 Jimmy Gopperth, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Olly Cracknell, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 5 Cameron Henderson, 4 George Martin, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Julian Montoya (captain), 1 James Cronin.
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 Tom West, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Eli Snyman, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Sam Wolstenholme, 22 Charlie Atkinson, 23 Dan Kelly.
Edinburgh: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 James Lang, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Blair Kinghorn, 9 Henry Pyrgos, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist (captain), 4 Sam Skinner, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Stuart McInally, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 David Cherry, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Marshall Sykes, 20 Luke Crosbie, 21 Ben Vellacott, 22 Cameron Hutchison, 23 Damien Hoyland.
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant referees: Ludovic Cayre (France), Jonathan Gasnier (France)
TMO: Thomas Charabas (France)
Source: @ChampionsCup
