A snapshot of what Leicester Tigers Head Coach Michael Cheika had to say when he faced the press ahead of the Gallagher Premiership Play-off against Sale Sharks at Mattioli Woods Welford Road...
ON THE PLAY-OFF OPPONENTS
“They have been in the play-offs the last few years and understand this stage very well."
"You can see that there is a real consistency in their game. They’re well led around the park by a guy a lot of the players know very well here, in George Ford, and they are a physical side; they've got the physical coach, physical pack, physical backs as well, and they come at you all game.
“But, I don’t think I’d expect anything less in a Premiership play-off, no matter who you’re playing. If you’re playing any team, we’d be saying they are going to come at you this weekend. And, we’ve got to receive that, deal with it, and come back with some of our own ... that’s the power of footy.”
ON HIS LEGACY AT THE CLUB
“I don’t want to talk about legacy at all. One year isn’t enough time to leave any sort of legacy whatsoever."
“What I think about in this area is how great the relationship between myself and the players, the staff, the supporters, and the club has been. The level of respect between the club and fans has been great and has been so enjoyable.
"I hope the fans think of me as one of them, even if just for one year."
ON FINISHING SECOND
“The table now means nothing – when we start giving ourselves accolades or pats on the back, you leave room for someone else to come in and take what you want to get."
“The minute I start thinking like that, we’re cooked. That message is not in my head in any way, shape, or form – it’s not who I am as a person.
“I say that with respect, as I know fans and outsiders look at things in different ways ... but I can’t be looking backwards, just forwards, only forwards.”
