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Search forMaddock takes full-back berth for Tigers' visit
Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 17:13
The former Canterbury and New Zealand Maori player is donning the number 15 jersey as Abendanon has yet to return to full fitness.
Although the South African-born England Elite Squad member was released from coach Martin Johnson's squad at the beginning of the autumn internationals, the Tigers clash has come too soon for 22-year-old Abendanon, with Maddock stepping in to provide the solidity needed against Heyneke Meyer's Leicester this weekend.
Maddock said: "Nick's been running with us but isn't right just yet, so I'm starting at full-back and looking forward to the challenge on Saturday."
Although Maddock was not in the starting XV that tasted a 19-15 defeat against Leicester at home in the EDF Cup in October, he crossed the Tigers' whitewash twice in the 2006-07 Premiership campaign and is looking for more of the same this weekend.
"It's going to be tough – Leicester games always are," he said.
"They're a well-balanced team and have a big pack that scrummage very well.
"They've a good lineout and backs that can break tackles, make offloads and beat you on the outside – yes, it's definitely going to be a challenge."
Maddock was one Bath player who provided some heat during Bath's 24-18 EDF Cup defeat on a cold Friday night against Cardiff Blues last month and was fortunate to escape injury following a high tackle by Jason Spice – a penalty try to Bath being the outcome.
Despite that defeat, Bath will be wearing the favourites' tag for Saturday's encounter, one that Maddock is pleased about.
"I'd like to think we're definitely favourites for the game, but we're going to have to pull out all the stops against them if we're going to get the right result," he said.
Bath Rugby's only defeat in the Guinness Premiership this season is the 21-17 loss at home to Gloucester in September.
Leicester go into the game having won five of their last six matches in all competitions and have not lost away from home in the Guinness Premiership since their visit to Newcastle in May.
But the Tigers' only win in their last five visits to The Rec in the Premiership was 19-12 in March 2006.
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