By Rob Carragher Last updated: 6th October 2008
Meyer: Attracted by the cup
New Leicester Tigers coach Heyneke Meyer will be hoping that by capturing the Heineken Cup he can complete a unique double.
After emerging victorious in the Super 14 with the Vodacom Blue Bulls in South Africa, Meyer is now bidding to become the first coach to win the premier competitions of both the northern and southern hemispheres.
However, Meyer is not underestimating the task at hand after his side drew the Ospreys in their Heineken Cup opener.
"The Heineken Cup was one of the attractions for me coming to work in Europe," said Meyer, whose side will face their EDF Energy Cup final conquerors on Sunday.
"It's a huge challenge for any team. It's a round-robin competition and a knock-out all in one.
"That makes it a really tough competition to win and you need to be 100 per cent in every game."
Meyer appears to have the credentials to achieve a strong cup run, having taken the Bulls to five consecutive Currie Cup finals before clinching the Super 14 in 2007.
Whether he can transfer his abilities to the European game remains to be seen, but the South African is keen to see how his side fares against some of the finest teams in the world.
"I've been involved in the top competition in the southern hemisphere and I am looking forward to being involved in the top competition in the northern hemisphere," he said.
"There are more teams involved from more countries in the Heineken Cup and I am looking forward to seeing different players and teams from different cultures.
"It's going to be an interesting challenge. There is no doubt the Heineken Cup is a top competition and it's going to grow in stature and get better and better because so many of the world's top players are involved.
"Even in places like South Africa the profile of the Heineken Cup is growing. I remember watching the Munster-Toulouse final at home. With all those supporters there it was a great spectacle - there is a great vibe about the Heineken Cup."
Despite having only just turned 40, Meyers has nearly two decades of coaching experience - although he nearly quit the game for good when he was overlooked for the position as South Africa national coach.
"When I left the Bulls after winning the Super 14 last year and failed to get the job of South Africa coach, I thought my time in rugby was over," he added.
"I had been a coach since I was 20 and I got out of the game by taking charge of a sports nutrition company and I turned down a number of offers from international and club sides.
"Then Leicester came in, a club which shares my vision and values, and here I am.
"My long-term goal is to make Leicester the best club side in the world. We should be able to achieve that in my time here."

England 9-18 Australia - Highlights
Harlequins 15-15 Llanelli - Davies
Harlequins 15-15 Llanelli - Robshaw
Harlequins 15-15 Llanelli - Owens
England 9-18 Australia - Wilkinson & Moody
England 9-18 Australia - Johnson
England 9-18 Australia - Giteau
England 9-18 Australia - Genia & Ashley-Cooper
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Guinness Premiership | |
| Friday 20th November | |
| Guinness Premiership | |
| 19:45 | Gloucester vs Leicester |
| 20:00 | Worcester vs Bath |
| Saturday 21st November | |
| 13:00 | Northampton vs Harlequins |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| 15:00 | London Irish vs Newcastle |
| 15:00 | Saracens vs Wasps |
| 15:00 | Leeds Carnegie vs Sale |
| Friday 27th November | |
| 19:45 | Sale vs Wasps |
| 20:00 | Newcastle vs Northampton |
| 20:00 | Worcester vs Saracens |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| 15:00 | Harlequins vs Gloucester |
| 15:00 | Worcester vs Saracens |
| 15:00 | Leicester vs Leeds Carnegie |
| 17:35 | Bath vs London Irish |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| 15:00 | London Irish vs Worcester |
| 15:00 | Northampton vs Bath |
| 15:00 | Gloucester vs Newcastle |
| 17:35 | Saracens vs Sale |
| Sunday 6th December | |
| 15:00 | Wasps vs Leicester |
| 15:00 | Leeds Carnegie vs Harlequins |
| Saturday 26th December | |
| 14:15 | Bath vs Gloucester |
| 15:00 | Leicester vs Sale |
| 15:00 | Worcester vs Northampton |
| Sunday 27th December | |
| 15:00 | London Irish vs Saracens |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Leeds Carnegie |
| 16:00 | Harlequins vs Wasps |
| Result |
|---|
| Guinness Premiership |
| Sunday 1st November |
| Guinness Premiership |
| Newcastle 14 - 3 Worcester |
| Wasps 9 - 15 Leeds Carnegie |
| Saturday 31st October |
| Leicester 29 - 15 Northampton |
| Harlequins 9 - 9 London Irish |
| Bath 11 - 12 Saracens |
| Friday 30th October |
| Sale 28 - 23 Gloucester |
| Sunday 25th October |
| Saracens 21 - 15 Leeds Carnegie |
| Saturday 24th October |
| Gloucester 6 - 35 Wasps |
| London Irish 18 - 12 Leicester |
| Northampton 21 - 16 Sale |
| Worcester 22 - 26 Harlequins |
| Bath 16 - 27 Newcastle |
| Sunday 4th October |
| Leeds Carnegie 10 - 26 Gloucester |
| Wasps 20 - 15 Northampton |
| Newcastle 15 - 22 Saracens |
| Saturday 3rd October |
| Harlequins 13 - 11 Bath |
| Leicester 19 - 14 Worcester |
| Friday 2nd October |
| Sale 8 - 11 London Irish |
| Sunday 27th September |
| Saracens 19 - 16 Gloucester |
| London Irish 28 - 16 Wasps |
| Saturday 26th September |
| Bath 20 - 20 Leicester |
| Worcester 24 - 18 Sale |
| Northampton 30 - 10 Leeds Carnegie |
| Friday 25th September |
| Newcastle 17 - 17 Harlequins |
| Sunday 20th September |
| Wasps 23 - 3 Worcester |
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Comments (1)
Philip Gray says...
Meyer is clearly hs own man and his credentials speak for themselves. Leicester are clearly looking to the future with his appointment and I am seriously looking forward to this season and beyond as a Leicester supporter with a renewed passion for the game of rugby union.
Posted 10:48 7th October 2008