Gloucester
Cardiff HC game could be Glaws turning point
Mike Tindall
By Cherry Picker
October 15 2008
This weekend’s Heineken Cup pools game against Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium could prove to be a major turning point for Gloucester’s season.
That’s the opinion of Glaws captain Mike Tindall, who says the big stage for the most vital pool game so far gives the team and the players as individuals a chance to prove themselves.
Glaws had as shaky start to the Guinness premiership season, but last weekend’s opening HC pool win over Biarritz at Kingsholm came as a result of a more professional, controlled team performance, and Tinds wants that to continue.
A win in Cardiff would put Glaws in poll position in the pool, but Tindall and his team-mates know it won’t be easy aginst a strong team and in front of a massive partisan crowd.
Talking to the Citizen, Tinds said: "I'm so excited about that game because that's as close as you can get to a final atmosphere. It will put our boys really under pressure and find out what they are about and if they have made the improvements.
"The Millennium Stadium is a massive place to play and the crowd's on you. You know it's going to be hostile. It's going to be pretty full and it's going to put us under pressure.
"We've got to prove it to ourselves as much as anyone else that we can go down there, play and come away with the win.
"This weekend is a really massive game – probably the most important game for us in the pool stages. The environment, the atmosphere and the whole occasion is going to be huge and hopefully we will find out what our boys are made of.
"If you can't get up for a game against the Blues at the Millennium Stadium in front of a huge crowd, then there is something wrong with you.”
Hooker Olivier Azam Iright) was impressed with his team’s display against Biarritz, and he added: "We were knocked out last season against a very good team (Munster) and I really hope we are going to take that on board all across our campaign in the Heineken Cup.
"Everyone knows Biarritz are a very good team, very physical up front. But we gave them quite a good challenge and I'm happy with the way we played as a pack.”
The stage is set for a huge game ... hopefully Glaws will meet the challenge with another improved performance.
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