YES, WE’RE UNDERDOGS! – Leicester Tigers 25-26 preview
New signings Micke Günter (below, left) and Amelie Anstead (below, right) spoke to The New Women’s Sport Magazine on the eve of the PWR season about their team ethos, having a new coach and how to deal with the rain in Manchester.
Leicester Tigers are looking to infuse their “heritage” with a running game ahead of the 25-26 PWR season where they open their account away at Sale Sharks on Saturday.
They’ll be playing all their home games at a veritable stronghold of English rugby – Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium – and are looking to tap into the sporting legacy infused into this historic ground.
Last year’s eight placed team is aware they have room to grow before challenging the likes of reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury, but it doesn’t faze this new crop of Tigers.
Former Loughborough Lightning back Amelie Anstead said: “We’ve not been in the Premiership that long. We are buying in to wanting to be part of history within the women’s game – which is why you should buy into us.
“We’re new, we’re young, we’re exciting, we are very skilful, and we have a lot to offer as a team.”
So, under new head coach Ross Bundy, Tigers are “buying into the theme of being the underdogs this year”.
While Tigers lost the likes of World Champion Meg Jones this summer, returning internationals, such as Jenny Maxwell, and eleven new signings from home and abroad have brought a “different energy” to the club ahead of the season curtain-raiser.
Anstead said: “It’s been a privilege to train alongside people that have just been at World Cups, have been playing for their country in front of the 82,000 people and their experience is only growing the group and it’s helping us develop session on session.”
One such star is Micke Günter. The experienced South African hooker is arriving in the Midlands off the back of a successful World Cup campaign. She previously played for Bulls Daisies in Pretoria, who won the last three Premier Division titles in South Africa.
“I came here to play international games week in and week out.”
Refreshed
Günter is feeling refreshed following World Cup exploits that saw South Africa fall to the Black Ferns at the quarter final stage, despite holding them 10-10 at half-time.
“I headed overseas to Italy, so I think that’s definitely made me feel quite rested mentally and physically. I think both of those go hand-in-hand. But yeah, physically, I’m ready to go and excited to get on the pitch.”
“I’m so excited to see a huge amount of fans in the stadiums and just supporting women’s rugby.”
This pre-season campaign, Günter focused on developing new facets to her game. The hooker is already known for her strong defence.
“I just want to work on ball carries. A lot more attack, just being more live on that and scrum focus as well – working on learning some techniques and tips and tricks from the girls around me.
“I think the style of rugby here excites me. It’s a lot of running rugby, which is what I enjoy and what I’m excited to do.”
The development of their running game will stand the team in good stead – they will welcome the dynamic Bristol Bears to MWWR in round two of the PWR and then head off to Saracens for a testing encounter.
Reflecting on the integration of eleven new signings, Anstead said: “The bond this group of girls have on and off the pitch, it’s so lovely. You walk into training, everyone wants to say hi and you work for each other on the pitch because of that.”
Battle
New coach Ross Bundy has been crucial in developing this warm environment.
Anstead said: “Ross is lovely, and I think he has a good balance of being approachable and you want to speak to him but also being professional at the same time.”
“They’re just aiming to push us as hard as we can and they know what we can achieve.”
Tigers open their account away at Sale Sharks on Saturday, who are also looking to rise from the ashes of last season that saw them grab a singular win across the season.
Günter said: “We can expect a big upfront battle. So, a physical game, and we’re prepared for that. We’re ready.”
Anstead added: “It’s usually pouring it down with rain, it was in the cup block, so it’ll be a hard 80 minutes for you guys, but it’s nothing we’ve not been training for, so bring it on.”
Leicester take on Sale Sharks at Morson Stadium, kick-off 7pm Saturday 25 October. £5 tickets for under-17s and £7 adult tickets are still available and the game will be broadcast live on YouTube.
Photos: PWR, Players’ Instagram
