Leicester Tigers claimed a place in their fifth Heineken Cup Final with victory over the Blues in an historic penalty shoot-out after the sides had finished 80 minutes and then extra time with scores level at 26-26.
“I feel for [Blues coach] Dai Young,” said Cockerill. “It is a tough way to lose a game.”
Tigers led 26-12 against the only unbeaten side in Europe’s top club competition this season, only to lose two players to the sin bin in the closing quarter of the game and then concede two tries in the final eight minutes.
“I thought we played really well for 72 minutes. We played some good stuff and put them under pressure,” said Cockerill.
“We controlled a lot of the game but they are a very dangerous side if you give them half a sniff. Full credit to Cardiff, they were dead and buried but came back with those two tries.”
The Tigers coach felt the yellow cards shown to Craig Newby and then Geordan Murphy during the final 20 minutes were crucial as the 14 and then 13 men had to defend desperately.
“We lost a bit of organisation in defence when Geordan was off, they took advantage, and credit to them,” he said.
But the defence shut out the Blues through extra time and the kicking competition was won when Blues flanker Martyn Williams missed and Tigers No8 Jordan Crane put his kick between the posts.
“Jordan is a confident young man,” Cockerill said. “He stepped up and wanted to take a kick. Give him full marks.”
Now Tigers turn their attention to another enormous encounter, against Bath Rugby in the Guinness Premiership semi-final at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Tickets for Saturday’s game are available from the Tigers ticket office now. Contact the ticket hotline on 0844 856 1880 or call in at Welford Road.
