Hess hopes for elusive Kings win
GIANT lock Cornell Hess says the EP Kings will be putting in a massive effort to beat the Cheetahs in a crunch Currie Cup showdown at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday (kickoff 7.10pm).
The struggling Kings are second from bottom on the Premier Division log and are desperate to secure a win after losing five consecutive matches.
“We have been close these past few games and we are striving to get that victory. We will put in a massive effort to beat those guys and it will not come easy,” Hess said.
“The team is looking forward to the game and the challenge.
“So far we have not had the results we wanted.
“It is just a matter of cutting out those unforced errors. Sometimes we feel like we are just so close to finishing a try or winning a ball in the lineout.
“I guess it is still just that final hurdle that we are still lacking at the moment. We are working hard to rectify that.
“The mood in the camp is very good. The guys are so positive and still searching and working towards that win.
The lock said the Kings were aware the strong-running Cheetahs liked to spread the ball.
“We know what to expect in the game and we must implement our plan.
“The forward battle will be key. Most games these days are forward oriented and if you don’t match up with the other team’s forwards you are on the losing side.
“There has been a massive emphasis on forward play this week. So we need to match them or even outwork them.
“The Cheetahs have been doing very well lately. All the teams are improving every week and we are striving to peak and better ourselves in all departments of the game.”
In a last-minute move the EP Kings have delayed naming their team.
The side had been scheduled to be unveiled at lunchtime yesterday, but the Kings media office said the announcement had been delayed until tomorrow.
If one includes the two warmup matches they played against the Blue Bulls and Western Province, the Kings have lost seven matches on the trot.
Last week, the Kings also delayed their team announcement because the players re- fused to train on Tuesday due to the late payment of their salaries.
When the wage dispute was settled, the Kings named their team to play the Lions on Thursday, but there was no explanation to as to why a number of changes had been made.
Extra interest centred on the team because it did not include skipper Luke Watson, who had not been reported to be injured ahead of the match.
There has been speculation that Watson’s absence might have been the result of a midseason rotation policy being employed by the Kings coaching staff.
One thing that could have thrown yesterday’s scheduled team announcement off track was that coach Brent Janse van Rensburg had injury problems to consider.
In a medical report released on Monday, the Kings revealed that lock Cameron Lindsay (knee injury), centres Ronnie Cooke (toe) and JP du Plessis (knee) and lock Steven Sykes (rib) were all receiving treatment.