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Geordan Murphy: World Cup-winning Walters a 'game-changer' for Leicester
By Online Editors
Leicester Tigers have snapped up a recent World Cup winner, adding Aled Walters to Geordan Murphy’s staff as their new head of physical performance. The Welshman carved out a niche for himself at Munster where he initially encountered Rassie Erasmus, who then brought the assistant with him to South Africa to play a major role in formulating the plan than led the Springboks to RWC victory last November in Japan.
South Africa Rugby announced on Tuesday that Walters would be leaving for family reasons and his destination has now been revealed, Leicester emerging as his new place of work in a career that included stints at Scarlets, Taranaki and the Brumbies before he went to Ireland in 2012. Speaking to the Leicester Tigers website following his appointment, Walters said: “I grew up a staunch Scarlets fan and have a lot of history with Leicester. I was there when the famous Tim Stimpson penalty went over.
“You have to fit the culture and I definitely appreciate that. That’s why teams like Leicester are more attractive to me. Leicester is a very similar club to Munster and Scarlets – it’s a working-class area, they’re tougher people and that’s something that definitely appealed to me... I don’t take leaving a World Cup team lightly. It’s a very similar challenge to a couple of years ago when I was approached to join the South African team who were playing below par.
"I see this as a similar scenario, and what I know first-hand is that things can change, but it takes a lot of hard work and only happens if everyone buys into it. The challenge wouldn’t be as attractive if I didn’t believe there were things in place to turn things around and get the job done… it’s an attractive proposition to work with world-class athletes and there is plenty at Leicester.”
Murphy, who is set to become director of rugby when Steve Borthwick arrives as head coach, added: “The addition of someone of Aled’s experience and knowledge is a significant signing for Leicester. Aled’s addition alongside Steve is key to what we are doing. It’s a game-changer for us at Tigers.”
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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