Michael Cheika says he must “improve as a coach” after his Leicester Tigers side copped a hiding of the most spectacular fashion, losing 80-12 to European champions Toulouse in France.
The former Wallabies and Argentine coach, who took Los Pumas to the 2023 World Cup semi-finals, travelled to Toulouse hoping to make a statement on the eve of the round of 16 knockouts.
Despite their position in the last 16 assured after a strong season to date, Cheika took a strong side, with more than enough international firepower in it, across the English Channel and were completely blown away by a ravenous French side oozing with flair.
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Toulouse scored 12 tries in total, with the world’s best conductor, Antoine Dupont, scoring a double. Australian-raised French forward Emmanuel Meafou and his second-row teammate also scored twice, as did Italian flyer Ange Capuozzo also scored twice.
The home side led 42-0 at the main break, with Dupont masterful from the outset.
The halfback scored early in tight, before showing off his world-class skill set by finding Capuozzo out wide to open up the Tigers out wide. He ended the evening by scoring once more, while fullback Thomas Ramos banged over ten conversions to go alongside his own five-pointer.
Cheika, who is set to depart the Tigers at season end and is eyeing another international coaching job, said he was devastated by the embarrassing result.
“We had a great opportunity to come down here to the European champions and get stuck in and we didn’t,” he said. “It’s as simple as that.
“I’ve got a lot of self-reflection after that. It’s hurt me personally.”
Michael Cheika’s Leicester Tigers were hammered by Toulouse in France. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
While Toulouse are the Real Madrid of French rugby, Cheika refused to play the blame game for the loss.
“There is no excuse,” he said.
“They (Toulouse) are a great club. We’re a good club. We need to get back to being a great club.”
Leicester captain Julian Montoya apologised for the abject performance.
“I want to say sorry to the fans,” he said. “The support was amazing. It’s a really dark day for us. I’m disappointed.
“Toulouse don’t forgive you if you make a mistake.”
Despite the Tigers’ embarrassment, Cheika’s side live to fight another day and will take on the Warriors in Glasgow for a place in the quarter-finals.
Toulouse, meanwhile, will host Sale.
In others results, former Wallabies squad member James Ramm scored in Northampton’s 34-32 win over Munster.
The Saints will now host Clermont, who were too strong for Bristol with former Waratahs back Alex Newsome scoring.
Munster travel to Will Skelton’s La Rochelle, Leinster host Harlequins and Bordeaux welcome Ulster.