Kings go for broke in Belfast
Against the frenzied backdrop of the fuss surrounding their takeover by a cash-flush business group, the Isuzu Southern Kings have remained fully focused on their clash against Ulster in Belfast on Saturday.
With speculation about what the future will hold under private ownership at fever pitch, Kings head coach Deon Davids is concentrating on how to beat Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium.
“All our focus is on our final four games, and especially Saturday’s match against Ulster,” Davids said.
“We want to make sure we improve in the last four games and really work hard to get some positive results.
“If you look at Ulster, what you see is what you are going get,” he said.
“At end of the day, it is up to us to handle what is in front of us and be effective.
“I don’t think Ulster bring too much creative stuff.
“They are direct and systematic in their whole approach.
“But if you lose your focus they will punish you because they have quality players in their side. I think we have prepared well and we must handle the conditions and situations in front of us and be effective,” the coach said.
“We expect rain and muddy conditions and it is cold at this time of the season.
“It will be slippery underfoot and challenging.”
Davids said the team had learnt lessons from their recent three-match tour of Europe when they failed to win a game.
“In terms of our last tour, we really revisited our whole approach to the way we play rugby in our back 50 and what we want to achieve in our front 50,” he said.
“I think the guys are starting to understand the importance of a good tactical mindset and the need to minimise your mistakes.
“The natural thing for us is to run with ball in hand and play with a lot of flair.
“But the guys have learnt that European conditions don’t always allow you to run with the ball, so you have to adapt and come up with solid plans.”
Davids will be keen for his team to maintain their discipline after comments from new chair Loyiso Dotwana. Dotwana has warned his coaches and players he will not tolerate the high number of yellow cards the side have been conceding in the PRO14.
So far, the Kings have been on the receiving end of 22 yellow cards and two reds and this has left them with a poor disciplinary record.
The Kings have yet to win a PRO14 match on the road in Europe.
This is their final match in Europe and they will end their season with home games against the Dragons and Ospreys, before facing the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
The Kings squad in Ireland: