Blues' Xavier in Rush to take on Tigers

Oct 31 2007 by Simon Thomas, Western Mail

XAVIER RUSH says Leicester will be in for a post-Halloween fright if they are expecting the Blues to capitulate like they did on their last visit to Welford Road.

The Tigers romped home 34-0 back in January when the visitors from the Arms Park produced a lacklustre Heineken Cup performance.

But skipper Rush insists it will be a different story on Saturday when the Blues return to the East Midlands for a crucial EDF Energy Cup clash.

They will head for Leicester as Magners League leaders, having won six of their seven matches this season, including last Friday’s Anglo-Welsh opener against Sale, who were dispatched 32-15.

Rush says they are now much better equipped to handle the trip to Welford Road, both mentally and in terms of strength in depth.

“It was a hard one the last time we went there because the game for us had nothing left on it,” said the Kiwi No 8.

“We couldn’t progress in the tournament. You never know how much that plays on your mind.

“You want to go up and do well against one of the best sides in Europe, yet at the back of your mind perhaps there’s not quite the desire to go with it.

“But, if they are expecting us to turn up like that again, they’ll be in for a fright.

“We feel better equipped to go there now.

“We’ve added a few new players like Paul Tito and Gareth Thomas to strengthen us up that bit more and the squad is starting to tick along nicely.

“We will be going there with a lot of respect. We realise what Leicester can do better than most teams after what happened last year.

“But we are definitely going up there with a much-improved squad and the ambition to do well.

“If we can go up to Tigers country and get ourselves a win, people will really have to sit up and take notice of us.

“The confidence in the group will start growing as well, which is important with Europe just around the corner.”

Leicester are likely to be reinforced by the return of England World Cup stars like Martin Corry, Lewis Moody, Ben Kay and George Chuter.

But that holds no fears for former All Black Rush.

“I relish that. For a guy like me that doesn’t play Test rugby any more, it’s the closest you can get to international standard,” he said.

“You love to be able to test yourself against players like that.

“I’m feeling in good fettle at the moment, mentally and physically, and really looking forward to this game, especially after the way we played on Friday night.

“It was a good style of rugby and enjoyable to be involved in. That’s probably the best rugby we’ve played for a wee while.

“We were happy with the way we were going in the Magners League, but we had sort of fallen into a trap of just doing enough.

“So it was good to get out of our comfort zone and really express ourselves and play some good rugby.”

Wales’ World Cup captain Thomas stole the show in that Arms Park victory over Sale, marking his first start for the Blues with a brace of tries.

“It was my first experience of playing with Alfie and it was one I thoroughly enjoyed,” said Rush.

“You’ve just got confidence in him as a person. When you go on the field you just keep an eye on him because you know he’s going to create something around him.

“You sort of expect a little bit of the unexpected – and make sure you expect it because you know it’s going to happen.”

Looking further ahead to the Heineken Cup, which gets under way next week, Rush is upbeat about a draw that sees the Blues pooled with Stade Francais, Bristol and Harlequins.

“I think it’s a group where everyone will back themselves a little bit,” said the 30-year-old powerhouse.

“You’ve got four teams there that on their day could all beat each other.

“So it’s going to be who handles the pressure best.

“I’m happy to be in that group.”