It’s payback time for Kings with Ulster right there for the taking
AFTER coming tantalisingly close to toppling Ulster in round one, the Southern Kings are targeting a Pro14 victory over the injury ravaged Irish side in the return clash in Belfast tomorrow.
So says Kings skipper Michael Willemse, who is desperate for his team to end a 13-game losing streak, that has left his team stranded at the bottom of the Pro14 log.
Last year Ulster edged the Kings 43-36 after a late burst of tries at the Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele.
“The first game here in Port Elizabeth against Ulster was really close,” said Willemse. “Now we honestly want to target this coming game against Ulster. I think there is massive opportunity for us and we are still looking for that first win.”
After their match against Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium, the Kings then face the Ospreys (February 16) and Leinster (February 23).
“We are in a position where we cannot look further than the next game. In terms of the tour as a whole the team want the victories and hopefully we can do the job.
“This is a chance for the team to build some more momentum. As a squad going on a long tour, the group definitely become tighter.
“One buys into what you have to do, and there are not as many players that you can train against. So you have to work together and have to put your mind into it.
“There are a lot of young guys who have come into the squad, and for some it will be their first tour. As a squad it will benefit us and hopefully we can get the victories.”
Ulster winger Craig Gilroy has recovered from a fractured cheekbone and is in contention to play.
However, Andrew Trimble (back) and Peter Nelson (hamstring) have picked up injuries in training and are unavailable to face the Kings.
Other Ulster players on the injury list are: Callum Black (lower back), Tommy Bowe (shoulder joint), David Busby (hamstring), Marcell Coetzee (knee), Robbie Diack (back), Brett Herron (knee), Jared Payne (migraines), Jonny Simpson (wrist) and Schalk van der Merwe (ankle).
The Irish side are in a state of flux after a coaching shake-up following some disappointing results.
Ulster head coach Jono Gibbes has assumed responsibility for all coaching matters following the announcement that director of rugby Les Kiss had left.
Asked about Kiss leaving his role in Belfast by mutual consent, Ulster captain Rory Best said: “Unfortunately with the way results and performances and pressures have gone, it sort of over the last little bit had an air of inevitability to it.”