Nienaber's impact: 'I’d be going into a game wanting to defend for him'

SPOTLIGHT: Jacques Nienaber has been mesmerising the Leinster squad with his coaching style since he arrived in Dublin in November.

The former Springbok coach has received plenty of praise from his new team and his impact was already felt in their Champions Cup opener when they denied defending champions La Rochelle a try in a 16-9 win.

After a 37-27 win over Sale Sharks in Round Two, Leinster has shifted their focus back to the URC ahead of a mouthwatering Irish derby against Munster.

Nienaber will no doubt have a few tricks up his sleeve for his former team and Leinster star Josh van der Flier gave a glimpse of what it is like working with the World Cup-winning coach.

“He’s brilliant. One thing about him, it’s hard to describe it really, I find he really inspires you,” Van der Flier told Irish media.

“I’d be going into a game wanting to defend for him. He’s a really inspirational person in that way.

“The amount of work he puts in is incredible.

“I’ve had a few glimpses at his laptop when he’s been showing me things and he puts a huge amount of work into defence and goes into the tiniest details.

“As well as that, I’ve had a few chats, him showing me clips or talking things through and he’s been good for me in terms of things I can grow in my game.

“I think it’s been the same for lads all across the board.”

When asked for some examples of Nienaber’s work, Van der Flier said: “Definitely [in] putting more pressure on the opposition.

“You see from the way South Africa defended in the World Cup, I don’t know if we’re defending exactly the way he had them defending but it’s [about] putting a lot of pressure on and a lot of emphasis on the way you tackle.

“Last week and this week were my first time hearing him chat before games and he’s really good at getting the emotional pitch right before games.

“He’s been brilliant.”

Source: Irish Times