Kings shape up for one of their major challenges
WHEN the Super Rugby fixtures came out, the Southern Kings must have viewed today’s clash against the powerhouse Crusaders with far greater trepidation than any of their other engagements on the international stage.
The Crusaders are Super Rugby's most successful team and the inexperienced Kings are facing a huge test of both their mental and physical resolve at the AMI Stadium in Christchurch (kickoff 8.35am).
It has been a difficult start to the season for the SA Rugby-controlled Kings who have conceded 101 points during their defeats against the Sharks and Chiefs.
They have also leaked 13 tries and this suspect defence will be facing its stiffest examination of the season.
The Crusaders come into the game with a win over the Blues and a defeat at the hands of the Chiefs in their opening fixtures and they will be anxious to press on against the competition's newcomers.
The Kings, who face the Hurricanes next on their New Zealand tour, know they will have to be at their sharpest for the full 80 minutes to hold the Crusaders at bay.
In both of their opening matches the Kings were competitive in the first half but later fell away as the opposition's pressure took its toll.
Kings skipper Steven Sykes stressed his inexperienced team would have to concentrate for the full 80 minutes against the Crusaders.
Sykes said tough lessons had been learned against the Chiefs and the Sharks after his team returned to Super Rugby after a two-season break.
“We had a couple of soft moments 10 minutes before and also after half time. That cost us the game.
“We are in Super Rugby now so we must realise that we need to cut out those soft minutes if we want to win games.”
Sykes says inexperience is one of the big hurdles hampering the Kings. “A lot of guys are still young and they switch off for five minutes. Unfortunately this is not U19 and U21 rugby. If you do not concentrate for the full 80 minutes you are going to be behind the poles.” Some key match stats:
The only previous match between these sides saw 75 points scored, with 55 of those points scored by the Crusaders in 2013.
The Crusaders have kept their opponents to fewer than 10 points in the opening half of four of their last five Super Rugby matches.
This will be the Kings’ first foray away from home since their 2013 season which saw them secure just one win and one draw on the road, both of which came in Australia.
Crusaders star Nemani Nadolo averages four defenders beaten per game so far this year, the third-most of any New-Zealand based player, behind Chiefs duo Damian McKenzie and Charlie Ngatai.
Kings flanker Chris Cloete has won six turnovers so far this season, the equal most of any player in the competition from only two games.
Today's teams: Southern Kings: Jurgen Visser, Luzuko Vulindlu, Stefan Watermeyer, Shane Gates (vc), Malcolm Jaer, Louis Fouche, Kevin Luiters, Jacques Engelbrecht, Thembelani Bholi, Chris Cloete, JC Astle, Steven Sykes (c), Jacobie Adriaanse, Martin Ferreira, Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: Edgar Marutlulle, Sti Sithole, Tom Botha, Schalk Oelofs, CJ Vellemam, Ntando Kebe, Elgar Watts, JP du Plessis Crusaders: Marty McKenzie, Johnny McNicholl, Kieron Fonotia, David Havili, Nemani Nadolo, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Jimmy Tupou, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (c), Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett. Res: Ged Robinson, Alex Hodgman, Mike Alaalatoa, Tim Boys, Pete Samu, Leon Fukofuka, Ryan Crotty, Jone Macilai.