Griquas edge Kings
13 Feb 2013
Griquas got the win but Southern Kings Director of Rugby Alan Solomons got questions answered in his team’s final Super Rugby pre-season outing.
Griquas scored late to win 30-27 and Solomons told Keo.co.za on the balance of performance the right team got the winning result.
‘Pre-season matches are about more than the result but every player and team wants a winning one,’ he said. ‘We did not get enough ball to enforce our way of play and all credit to the effort of Griquas. They dominated the lineout and denied us a platform. It is hard to play any game without ball from set piece and if the boys didn’t know that they certainly will now.’
The Kings historic Super Rugby debut is Solomons’ focus and he said bigger than the result in Port Elizabeth was that captain Luke Watson and lock Steven Sykes got through the match in what was their first appearance after lengthy injury lay-offs.
‘We gained from those objectives in that the players returning from injury got the necessary hit out, but in any sport the objective is to win. That we did not get and we did not deserve a winning result. There has never been any illusion about the challenge in Super Rugby proper but we will be in a position to field a match squad close to full strength. That wasn’t looking possible a few weeks ago.
‘It is a credit to our medical and conditioning staff and to the desire of the players.’
Solomons said he was thankful for the commitment of Griquas and how important the match would be in the mental preparation for the historic season opener in a week.
‘Griquas approached it like it was a Super Rugby match and it was the physical and mental preparation you can’t replicate at training. We’ve got lots to work with in the next week. But take nothing away from Griquas. They came here to win and they did so.’
The Kings play the Force in Port Elizabeth to start their Super Rugby history.
By Mark Keohane
807 Comments
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15 Feb 2013, 17:25 pm
How the hell could they make Frans Steyn captain of the Sharks? He’s so far off his game nowadays this will just add to his misery!
15 Feb 2013, 17:57 pm
gunther@800
epic fail…!!
though good to hear from the commentators that it’s gonna come off for charity…!
good on the guy for being a (silly looking) rebel with a cause…
15 Feb 2013, 22:14 pm
Fans: Kings will embarrass SA
http://www.sport24.co.za/MySport24/Fans-Kings-will-embarrass-SA-20130214
“The Kings will be cannon fodder in the Super XV.” – Sean
“I foresee a long and difficult seasons for the queens!” – BM
“Griquas should have been the team to replace the Lions in relegation.” – Piet Boerie
“Maybe SARU should reconsider and put Griquas in the Super 15 in 2013 instead(LMAO).” – S
“OMG. This is gonna get ugly. I predict record scores this year.” – brenden.greef
“This is why you still not in the Currie Cup, never mind S15.” – werner.vandermerwe16
“Its going to be an entertaining season watching them get hammered in a competition that’s way out of their league.” – beetslaai
“Most of Griquas first-choice players are with the Cheetahs now. Your S15 team lost against a Vodacom Cup team!” – Hendrik
16 Feb 2013, 08:22 am
@nama1-486: well said Nama
16 Feb 2013, 08:55 am
To all who have children.Did you see the anguish on the face of the father
as O.P.was led down to the cells?.He tried to reach out but could not even touch him.I sincerely hope that none of you are responsible for the current round
of jokes.I could one day be your child.
What the hell has happened to us as a people?.No empathy,no compassion
at all shown towards his parent/s
Sies
16 Feb 2013, 09:01 am
@Tuna-706: Well said
18 Feb 2013, 11:22 am
Keo come on!!! These one sided articles about the Kings are becoming a Joke. You are now so far up Cheekys rear end only your shoes are sticking out.
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