Cockerill hails ‘world class’ Geordan
Murphy led the Tigers for the first time in a Premiership game against Sale in early April after injuries ruled out Martin Corry and Aaron Mauger, and the Ireland international has since held onto the captain’s armband.
Though Murphy might not have been perceived as leadership material, Cockerill insisted he had no issue handing the armband to the 31-year-old whom he describes as a “world class full-back”.
Murphy, in his 13th season at the club, will captain the Tigers against his native province in Saturday’s Heineken Cup final. He has already led the Tigers to the first half of a possible double when the Premiership giants eked out a 10-9 win over London Irish at Twickenham last Saturday.
And in a remarkable act of humility after the match, the fullback insisted club captain, Corry, should instead accept the Premiership trophy.
Cockerill believes the leadership role has “galvanised” the Kildare man’s game, but wouldn’t be drawn on why Murphy isn’t a regular on the Ireland team despite the huge status he enjoys in English Midlands.
“Geordan is world class,” said Cockerill. “As full-backs in world rugby go, Geordan is as good as any of them. As regards the Ireland issue, even if he’s got 60-odd caps, all I’ll say he’s as good as anybody. We like him. He’s been here a long time but that’s because he’s such a good player.
“Being captain of the side has, I think, galvanised his game even more. He’s played even better since being made captain because he has actually taken responsibility for the team. It’s a case of, ‘well I’m captain, so I better be the best player’. By in large he has been.
“He’s been here a long time and he understands the culture of this club. He won’t be at the front of the charge leading the brawling because it’s not his nature. But, when he talks, people listen.
“All the Irish guys that we’ve had here have been really good, honest, hard-working people. They do a good job, and they don’t talk rubbish. When Geordy talks, people listen because he knows the club and he talks sense. And what he says about playing the game he’s worth listening to.”
The link between Ireland and Leicester is well documented, and Cockerill was effusive in his praise of the Irish, paying particular tribute to two former Tigers now at the heart of Leinster’s pursuit of a first Heineken Cup title.
“Leo (Cullen) captains the side. He runs their lineout and he captained the side here. A non-Englishman to captain Leicester is a big thing and I think that’s the status he had here. I think a lot of Leo as a player. I recruited him and Pat (Howard) recruited Jenno (Shane Jennings).
“Jenno is good over the ball. He’s a real dog on the floor and he’ll make the breakdown a mess for us. I’ve a huge amount of respect for both of them.”
Despite concerns over their fitness after last Saturday’s Guinness Premiership final, both Geordan and John Murphy were yesterday deemed fit for Saturday.
Cockerill also hinted that Alesana Tuilagi, back from a five-week suspension following a citing against Bath in the Heineken Cup semi-final, may start against Michael Cheika’s men. The hard running Samoan has the physicality to unsettle Leinster’s defence that has excelled so far in this season’s Heineken Cup campaign.
“Alex (Tuilagi) is what he is – he gives that physicality and you wouldn’t want to be tackling him, would you?” Cockerill explained. “Alex will come back into the 22, whether he’s off the bench or starts, we’ll see.”
COCKERILL says his starting XV will “pretty close” to the teams he has named over the last memorable month for the first-time head coach who took over from Heyneke Meyer in mid-season.
However, despite lifting the Premiership, Tigers struggled against Irish but Cockerill believes the under-par performance has helped his squad refocus quickly for the Leinster match.
“In some ways not playing so well and not getting the performance we would have liked actually helps us galvanise a little bit more. You win by a hatful at the weekend and then suddenly it’s a bit too easy. So we’ve refocused our minds quite quickly; guys are a bit worried about keeping their spots because they haven’t played as well as they would’ve liked. That’s a good reminder for everybody.”
With little time to celebrate their domestic success, he stressed his side must get their house in order for the trip to Scotland.
“We need to sort it out and get our house in order, and we need to make sure it’s really crisp against Leinster because they’re a good side – give them quality ball and they’ll do some damage.
“Their doggedness impresses me and they defend very well. The Harlequins game wasn’t a pretty game but they defended so well, and had that little bit of experience just to keep their composure. That probably makes them a better side than they’ve been for a while.”
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