Bolter Malouf pays tribute to O’Connor
LEICESTER surprise package Nick Malouf admits he owes Tigers boss Matt O’Connor a huge debt of gratitude for plucking him from obscurity to play an influential role in one of the Premiership’s most devastating backlines.
Former Aussie 7s star Malouf, 24, had barely played a game of 15-a-side rugby before joining Leicester in June. However, the little known Queenslander has made a huge impact at Welford Road alongside England star Jonny May.
After notching four tries in nine Premiership and Champions Cup matches, Malouf told TRP: “Matty plucked me from nowhere really and it’s been great playing under him. He makes it clear what he wants and I can’t thank him enough for the opportunities I’ve had.
“There’s still plenty for me to work on, with my ability under the high ball and positioning being the main focuses, but I’ve been happy with how things have gone after jumping straight in from the start.
“I’m still trying to take it all in and each week there’s something different I’m learning, but the Aussie way is to give it a crack and dig in and I’ve tried to hang on to the No.14 jersey. Hopefully, I’ll keep going from strength to strength.”
With 14 tries between them, Malouf ’s relationship with May has burgeoned – along with Leicester’s string of impressive results.
He said: “Jonny’s got to be England’s No.1 winger now. Not many people could finish the tries he scores.
“I’m picking up as much knowledge as I can from him and Telusa Veainu and it’s been a great start for me.
“But with Adam Thompstone back from injury and Tom Brady back soon, those guys are champing at the bit and the competition will be fierce.”
Thompstone is ready to state his case again after recovering from a neck injury and made his first appearance of the season at Newcastle last weekend.
A stalwart of last season, the 30-year-old said: “I had a disc bulge below the back of my neck that was very frustrating, but thankfully it’s settled down now and I’m ready to rise to the challenge after the arrivals of Jonny and Nick.
“Jonny’s been a good signing and is scoring lots of tries, while Nick’s come in and done well, but I’ve had competition at Tigers from day one and it will always be like that.
“I’m looking forward to getting out there and, after playing at Newcastle last week, hopefully, I can get some good game time in the Anglo-Welsh and lay down a marker for when we return to Premiership action later this month.”