Michael Cheika was more interested in chatting about who it was for as opposed to the performance itself when he spoke following the bonus point victory over Bristol Bears on Easter Sunday.
The five try effort, which finished 19-36 thanks to a late try for Cameron Henderson, means Tigers finish Round 14 in second place on the Gallagher Premiership table.
Speaking after the game, the Head Coach said: “For me personally and for us as a team, we wanted to play this game for the fans.”
“When they [Bristol] came up to Leicester earlier this season, we weren’t good enough and we owed the fans for that. I hope our fans are happy with that performance today.”
On the game, the Leicester Tigers Head Coach was quick to highlight the improved area of converting opportunities on the back of defensive efforts.
“Defence is important, of course, but how important it is in a specific game depends on spread of possession and it is ultimately validated by going up the other end and scoring points after defending well,” said Cheika.
“Today, we were really good in defending well and then taking the chances to score points on the back of the work. That was very pleasing.”
When quizzed on what else stood out for him on matchday, Cheika said it was more than just the 80 minutes.
“There was a lot of good in today, a lot to enjoy, but what I really enjoyed was they way in which our players accepted the challenge this week, prepared accordingly and delivered the performance we needed when the pressure was on,” he said.
With four rounds to play in this season’s Premiership campaign and only eight competition points separating second to eighth, Cheika also believes there are no guarantees for any side until the end of the regular season.
“We have said this week, and will say the same next week, that it’s just the next game in front of us,” Cheika said.
“Play off chances will be decided after the last game of the season. We have just got to keep playing well and we have got to play better at home, because we need to be better at home than we have been up until now this season.
“The crowd that turn up in the numbers they do at our house is so good for us, so important to us, and we need to be better in front of all those who make our place so good. Look at next week, it’s already sold out or nearly there as far as I know and we’ve still got a week to go. We’re excited, there are three massive games to come for us and our fans at home this season.”
More than 23,000 tickets have been sold for next Saturday's Gallagher Premiership fixture at Mattioli Woods Welford Road which doubles as this season's JTC Takeover Day.
Spaces at the crucial clash with Harlequins are filling up fast. Make The Obvious Choice and get your ticket sorted now before it's too late.
