Nacewa: 'This is the big one'
Leinster full-back Isa Nacewa is aware of the tough task facing his team when they take on Clermont at the Stade Marcel Michelin on Sunday.
The defending champions will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run in Europe to 18 matches when they head to France to face the Pool Five leaders.
Interestingly, it was against Clermont two seasons ago when Leinster suffered their last defeat in the competition (20-13). Since then they have won 16 and drawn one, with two triumphs coming over the French club - including last season's semi-final win.
That semi-final victory, however, was picked up at the Stade Chaban-Delmas. This time around though, Leinster will run out at the Stade Marcel Michelin where Clermont recently won their 50th consecutive game.
"Fifty matches. It's a tough place to go," said Nacewa.
"Awesome support, awesome crowd.
"They're the strongest team on paper, so many international caps and it's going to be a big one.
"What they call their second string side still has hundreds of international caps each week. This is a one-off game as a rugby player you get to play."
Both clubs won their two opening matches in this season's tournament, but Clermont managed to pick up winning bonus points in their victories over Exeter Chiefs and the Scarlets to lead the Pool by two points.
Leinster pipped new boys Exeter 9-6 on the opening day of their defence of the title and then won 20-13 at Parc y Scarlets.
Now comes their biggest challenge of all as they try to stay on course to become the first team to win three titles in a row.
Comments
GCP_jones says...
Ferdie....
Leinster played Zebre last Saturday, I have only seen half the match so far ,but the leinster scrum was in control and he carried the play well a few times. Zebre however are a newly formed italian team this season who have yet to win a game.
It will be a different challenge altogether come Sunday, Clermont are a class outfit who could nearly field 2 teams full of test experience. I imagine he will be coming of the bench. but he seems to be very composed and focused, he'll need to be playing in Clermonts home ground.
I'll keep you posted next week, do you get to see Heienken cup matches in New Zealand?.
Posted 13:38 06th December 2012
BODsGODmisspelt says...
My mistake forgot about that, apologies.
Can't wait for this game, been looking forward to it since the groups were announced
Posted 09:52 06th December 2012
milkshake says...
@BODsGODmisspelt
He is hard to categorise, Born and raised in NZ, played 1 match for Fiji in 2003 and fought to be eligible to play for NZ for a while after that. Hasn't played for Fiji since.
Posted 03:18 06th December 2012
ferdie says...
Isakeli Nacewa (born 22 July 1982 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a New Zealand-born rugby union footballer of Fijian descent.
you're right guthrie67 - for weeks recently on PR we had the headline 'Kiwi full-back tests positive' referring to a NZ born person who never even played in NZ, now in Oz - soon as he does something wrong it's those evil Kiwis again!
Back to the Leinster folk - I keep asking, no response, like to hear what you think of Michael Bent's performances to date. thanks
Posted 23:49 05th December 2012
guthrie67 says...
Full name Isakeli Nacewa
Date of birth 22 July 1982 (age 30)
Place of birth Auckland, New Zealand
Posted 21:58 05th December 2012
Rosbif says...
...by the way, news here in france is that domingo pulled up in training today with knee problems again. after having 2 knee ops in 2 years, there's some serious doubts that he plays...
Posted 15:37 05th December 2012
BODsGODmisspelt says...
guthrie67
What are you on about? Surely he'd be reffered to as Fijian fullback?!
Posted 14:37 05th December 2012
leinster_goy says...
to be honest, i think this pool was lost when we didn't bag 5 points against exeter. getting one of the two best runner-up spots would seem to be the most realistic goal...
then again, my natural instincts tell me to be more optimistic. this is Leinster, for god's sake! 3 european cups in the last 4 years. the best team in the NH and one of the greatest sides to ever play the game of rugby
we are at full strength from 1 to 10 going into this match, plus Isa, Gordo and Fadders in top form. clermont have been run very close at stade marcel michelin so far this season, most notably by racing metro and stade francais, two distinctly average teams. les jaunards were on the ropes against scarlets before the red card, and exeter are, well, an english premiership side (nuff said)
and let's not forget the biggest factor in our favour - a deadly weapon that no other team possesses: Sexyboy. with him, we can beat anyone, anywhere
Posted 10:01 05th December 2012
guthrie67 says...
Leinster full-back!!
Cant be in trouble or it would be New Zealand Fullback??
Posted 09:51 05th December 2012
guthrie67 says...
Leinster full-back Isa Nacewa- obviously not in trouble or it would read New Zealand Fullback!!!
Posted 09:48 05th December 2012