Scarlets take on Hollywoodbets Sharks in the final match of the opening block of the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday. Head coach Dwayne Peel spoke to the media from the squad’s base in Durban ahead of the fixture.
Dwayne, what’s the mood like in camp at the moment?
DP: “The mood is good. It’s been two weeks where we have spent a lot of time together and it’s 30 degrees today in Durban which tends to put smiles on the faces of the boys with a bit of sunshine! The boys are obviously disappointed, last weekend against the Lions we felt we were right in it for 60 to 70 minutes. In those first 15 minutes or so we had two golden opportunities to score tries and we didn’t get over the line. We had a couple of late lapses and they took their chances, that was the difference. I felt there were things that were a step forward from the Stormers game, but we weren’t as cohesive as we would have liked. Of course there is an air of frustration because it was a game where we were competing and we hurt ourselves not finishing those opportunities off early on.”
You have played three, lost three, why have performances not been where we expect from the Scarlets?
DP: “It is disappointing. Cohesion is a big part of it, we haven’t been able to have a consistent team on the field, a lot of chopping and changing in key positions. Some big leaders of this team are also not available, Sam Lousi hasn’t played a minute of rugby yet, Ryan Elias as well; Josh Macleod, Max Douglas are not with us here. But we have been able to give opportunities to other players and they will be better players for it. Obviously, this is not where we want to be, especially after the way we finished last season (in the play-offs). We will continue to work hard, get connected and we will have a healthier, larger squad to be able to attack the second block which has some really exciting games for us.”
How big a challenge do the Sharks provide?
DP: “They are a dangerous team, you only have to look at their line-up, 13 current Springboks, some of the best players in the world, Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth, Kolisi, Grant Williams – they are capable of outstanding things. The challenge for us is we need to be a collective, the boys have to fight for each other, fight for the guy next to them, that is going to be massive. We had a really close game here at the end of last season when we were right in the hunt until the final minutes and we need more of the same. They lost at home last week so they are going to be up for the fight as well, what an opportunity and what a challenge for our guys.”
What is the main message to the players this week?
DP: “It is a simple message every week, we want to be a team that competes hard. I thought that was the case last week in terms of our workrate, which is the foundation of building performances. There are areas of our game that we need to improve, undoubtedly, but we can’t go into our shells in terms of how we want to play. We have lost our first three games and we are nowhere near where we want to be at the moment, but we will keep working hard and the tide will turn for us. We have to keep being bold, it is not in our DNA to play safe, we have to keep encouraging boys to go out and play. From a confidence perspective, I don’t think it is an issue here. We have quality individuals in this group and in tough times they will stand up for us as they have done previously.”
What is the latest on the injury front?
DP: “We have Sam Lousi, Jake Ball, Tom Rogers and Kemsley Mathias back in the fold after injury – four pretty big players for us. Ryan Elias, Josh Macleod, Edide James, Max Douglas, and Jac Price are at home working hard and hopefully we will see them back soon.”
Can you understand the fans’ frustration at the moment?
DP: “The fans are part of the journey with us. We are frustrated and they are as well and rightly so. They are so important to us as a group and it is great to see a few of them here who have travelled from home. They will know we are working hard to put things right.”
You have four players in the Wales squad for the autumn, which is less than normal, what have you said to the players not selected?
DP: “I have spoken to them all. Firstly, congratulations to the four who have been selected. As for the guys left out, they are obviously disappointed, but for them it is about getting feedback and us helping them get better in the areas they need to get better at. They also need to be able to enjoy their rugby here and work hard over the next few weeks. This weekend is a good opportunity for them to go out and show what they can do.”