Jackman confident he’ll have last laugh
THE DRAGONS hit an all-time low in Port Elizabeth as they were thrashed by the Southern Kings who claimed their maiden PRO14 victory.
But Bernard Jackman has defended his side’s dreadful performance and has urged his critics to judge him over the course of a few seasons.
“Criticism is normal because the results haven’t been good but the reality is nobody who looked at both sides and saw the inexperience we had can expect us to be winning,” said the former Ireland hooker.
“People need to realise that we weren’t a good side. There’s no instant success unless you get the cheque book out but we haven’t done that.
“Dan Babos is 18, Rio Dyer is 18 and people can you are making excuses but nobody else is playing 18-year-olds. We are because they have an important role to play for us this year – and the years to come.
“It’s about short-term pain for medium and longterm gain but that’s where we’re at. We weren’t a good side for the last few years and we needed to rebuild.”
But despite Jackman’s long-term vision, this defeat means the Dragons haven’t won in the PRO14 since last September and haven’t won away from home since 2015.
All the Rodney Parade side could muster here was a try from outside-half Dorian Jones and a further eight points from his boot.
The Kings scored six tries courtesy of a brace from Luzuko Vulindlu, Masixole Banda, Ruan Lerm, Anthonie Volmink and Bobby de Wee while Kurt Coleman contributed 15 points from the boot.
The Kings dominated the early exchanges apart from a penalty from Jones. But after weathering the early storm, Jones touched down under the posts for the game’s first try followsay ing a lovely offload off the floor from Lewis Evans.
The hosts responded with a well worked try as inside centre Luzuko Vulindlu burst through the visiting defence following a well-timed pass from scrum-half Rowan Gouws.
Dragons outside half Jones increased the visitors’ lead with a simple shot at goal but the Kings took the lead on the stroke of half-time with a try from Masixole Banda.
The tiny full-back burst through before chipping over the head of Zane Kirchner.
Ashton Hewitt looked to have it covered but the ball bounced wickedly into the hands of Banda, meaning the hosts turned around 1413 up at the interval.
The Kings extended their lead shortly after the game’s resumption when replacement wing Coleman burst clear from his own 22 before offloading to Vulindlu who touched down.
By now the Kings could sense their first victory and sealed the try bonus point when Ruan Lerm took advantage of some sloppy Dragons play at the tackle area which knocked the ball free.
Kings left-wing Volmink then scored a stunning individual try when he skinned Dragons wing Rio Dyer before stepping inside two defenders to score.
Lock De Wee put the icing on the cake for the hosts when he forced his way over from short range to ensure the Kings’ first ever PRO14 victory.