Praise opponent in speech when they get there (2,7)

'get there' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'praise opponent in speech when they' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'opponent' could be 'rival' (a rival is an opponent or enemy) and 'rival' is located in the answer.
'when' could be 'on' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'on' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'ar' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?