Connacht will not Peter out under the sun
Cheetahs
v
Connacht, 5.35pm
PETER WILKINS reckons Connacht are ready to roar in South Africa this evening after spending a week battling soaring temperatures and the thin air of the Highveld.
“It’s a bit of a novelty for this group, there are not many of our guys who have toured here previously,” said the Westerners’ defence coach (inset).
“Jarrad Butler and Tom Mccartney have got Super Rugby experience and are familiar, but for the rest it’s a new thing, whether it’s the heat or hotels; culturally, it’s fresh for them, but they have adapted well.”
Connacht go into the clash boosted by a 22-19 win in Treviso and Wilkins feels the squad have prepared well in the 30 degree heat.
“It’s an exciting place to tour. It comes with its challenges with the travel. But the fact that we have had a full week’s preparation here in getting used to the conditions both in terms of the heat and the altitude means we have a good amount of time on the training park, manage the boys accordingly, and make sure that they are in the best possible condition for the game.
“They have adapted well. The conditions certainly do challenge your decision making. Part of it is that you are feeling more fatigued at other times than playing at sea level or in cooler temperatures.
“There is the fatigue element, but there is also just the mental hurdle of it. Different groups have approached it differently. Some address the issue early and make the players aware of what to expect in terms of the pace of the game and how they might be feeling physically. Others ignore it entirely. The way we have approached it here is make the players aware it will be different.
“But we can’t afford to pace ourselves in a game, particularly against a team like Cheetahs at home. We can’t stand off and try to preserve energy for 80 minutes. We need to be at maximum value for as long as we can.”
Connacht have made two changes. Ultan Dillane starts in the second row while Pita Ahki, who moves to Toulouse in the summer, also comes into the side.
T O’halloran; C Kelleher, E
Griffin, P Ahki, M Healy; J Carty, C Blade; D Buckley, T Mccartney, F Bealham; U Dillane, J Cannon; S O’brien, J Butler, J Muldoon.