Leicester Tigers pulled of an incredible last minute win over Saracens at Vicarage Road on Sunday, beating them 20-19 thanks to a dropgoal by Geordan Murphy after 26 phases of play. It was Saracens’ first defeat at home in over a year.
As Toby Flood considered the dropkick while the forwards built the perfect platform, skipper Murphy sensed it was his duty to take control as he stepped into position. As you can see in the video below, he took responsibility and landed it perfectly, despite it being a wobbly old kick.
The 33 year old Irishman’s kick kept Leicester’s Aviva Premiership play-off hopes alive, and says that the win was all about their desire, something they focussed on during the week.
“We spoke about a few things after the loss at Exeter. The boys responded well,” said Murphy.
“It was incredibly difficult to keep hold of the ball for 26 phases at the end of the Sarries game, but we really wanted it and it was great to be part of a Tigers team that wants to win for each other so much. Our reaction at the end of the game showed what it meant to the guys.
“After they had gone ahead with two minutes left, we got the ball back under our own sticks and many teams would have capitulated from there, 90 metres out. But we came up, fought our way up the field and I can’t speak highly enough of the forwards, they won the game for us.”
Coach Richard Cockerill was full of praise for Murphy though, especially after the week’s goings on.
“Geordan was instrumental in leading the talk after last week. He spoke a few home truths to the lads who are new to the squad and don’t understand what Leicester is built on. It was pretty apt that he kicked the drop goal, because he’s done what Leicester greats do and that’s lead from the front.”
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