Kings face uphill battle with Tahs
Coach Davids knows his side have work cut out
SOUTHERN Kings head coach Deon Davids says his team will face a massive challenge against a star-studded Waratahs outfit in Sydney today (kick-off 11:45am SA time).
It has been a long tour for the Kings and defeats against the Western Force and Reds have left them entrenched at the bottom of Super Rugby’s Africa Conference 2.
“It is going to be a very tough encounter against the Waratahs. We have massive respect for our opponents and they are one of the top teams in this competition,” Kings head coach Deon Davids said.
“They have a lot of international stars. For us, it is about putting up a better performance. It is going to be a tough encounter – one we are really looking forward to.”
When they flew overseas three weeks ago, there had been high hopes the Kings could register a win against “so-called” weaker Australian opposition.
Because of the odd way the tournament is structured, the Kings faced Australian opposition this year compared with the New Zealand sides last season.
So far it has not turned out that way and they will face stiff opposition against a Waratahs side anxious to ignite their season after a slow start.
The Waratahs, tournament winners in 2014, are in fourth spot in the five-team Australian conference on eight competition points, having won just two of their seven games this season.
Their only victories have come against fellow Australian sides the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels, who are also struggling, while they conceded almost 34 points per match.
Rob Horne will return for the Waratahs, allowing Israel Folau to shift to fullback.
Horne withdrew from their loss to the Hurricanes due to hamstring soreness, but has been named at outside centre, with Folau replacing Bryce Hegarty in the No 15 jersey.
“It’s getting our best players on the field. Rob Horne is back injury-free,” Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said.
“It’s a [backline] combination that we’ve been wanting to put out for a while, but limited through injury and opportunity.”
Lock David McDuling gets only his second start of the season, with Wallaby Dean Mumm dropping to the bench.
“Dean has had a high workload. He’s played about every game,” Gibson said.
“Dave’s been busy when he’s come on, so it’s a bit of a reward for him.”
Tom Robertson returns from injury to replace suspended fellow Wallaby prop Sekope Kepu.
Prop Angus Ta’avao is posed to make a return off the bench after being sidelined for six months with a broken leg.
Winger/fullback Andrew Kellaway will be out for four to six weeks with a small fracture near his throat.
“He was in hospital last night with complications around blood in the throat,” Gibson said. Today’s teams: Southern Kings: Masixole Banda, Wandile Mjekevu, Berton Klaasen, Luzuko Vulindlu, Makazole Mapimpi, Lionel Cronje (captain), Louis Schreuder, Andisa Ntsila, Tyler Paul, Chris Cloete, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Irne Herbst, Ross Geldenhuys, Michael Willemse, Justin Forwood. Replacements: Kurt Haupt, Schalk van der Merwe, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Mzwanele Zito, Ruan Lerm/Martin Bezuidenhout, Johan Steyn, Stokkies Hanekom, PieterSteyn de Wet
Waratahs: Israel Folau, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Rob Horne, David Horwitz, Cam Clark, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Michael Wells, Michael Hooper (captain), Ned Hanigan, Will Skelton, David McDuling, Tom Robertson, Tolu Latu, Paddy Ryan. Replacements: Hugh Roach, David Lolohea, Dean Mumm, Jed Holloway, Nick Phipps, Bryce Hegarty, Harry Jones