Michael Cheika effect key to Leicester being 'transformed' after winning Gallagher Premiership start - Harry Wells
Published 21/09/2024 at 19:14 GMT+1
Leicester Tigers got their Gallagher Premiership campaign off to the perfect start with a late victory over Exeter Chiefs on Saturday, and Harry Wells credited new boss Michael Cheika for changing their fortunes. “We’re a team that’s been transformed over the summer," Wells told TNT Sports after the match. “We’ve had to go away, look at a few things and have had a real hard look at ourselves."
Wells says Cheika has ‘transformed’ Leicester over the summer – ‘We’ve worked immensely hard’
Video credit: TNT Sports
Harry Wells was left “massively proud” following Leicester Tigers’ first win under new boss Michael Cheika as they overcame Exeter Chiefs 17-14 in Saturday's drama-filled Gallagher Premiership contest.
The Australian’s first game in charge ended in dramatic fashion when Tommy Reffell clinched the match-winning try in the 82nd minute to overturn a 14-10 deficit and snatch victory.
Captain Ollie Chessum was reduced to tears after the match as emotions ran high after The Tigers’ winning start, especially following a tough campaign last season.
“[I’m] massively proud,” Player of the Match Wells told TNT Sports after his landmark 200th appearance for The Tigers.
“We said we’d have to dig deep today. Coming down here is always tough, but in pre-season, we said we weren’t going to be afraid of doing the tough stuff, we’re coming here and doing whatever it takes to get the win.
“The boys dug deep in the end and managed to get it.”
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‘Against all odds!’ – Leicester win ‘right at the death’ thanks to Reffell try
Video credit: TNT Sports
Leicester finished in eighth position last season, a far cry from their Premiership-winning campaign in 2021/22 and their third-worst finish in the club's league history.
“We’re a team that’s been transformed over the summer, last season we were losing games in the last 20 minutes,” Wells continued.
“We’ve had to go away, look at a few things and have had a real hard look at ourselves over the last few months.
“We've worked immensely hard, and hopefully we saw a little bit of that today, and we'll see it in the games to come.”
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Former Ireland captain and TNT Sports pundit Brian O'Driscoll said he was “still scratching his head” over the final result, but credited Cheika’s side for “staying in the fight”.
“I don’t really understand how Leicester Tigers have come away with four points,” he said.
“It just shows, as Michael Cheika said, 'It’s all about the long game mate!' It is, just staying in the fight sometimes.
“You don’t have to always do a huge amount in attack, but if you’re ruthless in defence, you don’t concede that many points, and you stay in touch, it’s still there for the taking at the very end, and they never gave up hope.
“What a start from Michael Cheika. He must be thrilled.”
Watch and stream every game of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season, the 2024 Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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