EP work on kicking for Bulls match
Kings learn lessons from loss to Boland
ABIG emphasis will be placed on kicking strategies when the EP Kings prepare for their Currie Cup Premier Division match against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Friday night.
Kings head coach Barend Pieterse said his team played too much rugby in their own half when they lost 28-10 against Boland Cavaliers at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday night.
“The one work-on for us this week will be our kicking game. We tried to play too much rugby in our own half and at the end of the day that killed us,” Pieterse said.
The Kings had their first training session last Monday after a cash injection from the Nelson Mandela Bay metro enabled them to retain their Currie Cup Premier Division status.
“It was difficult to get something together in three or four days, so the guys did very well. The team got tired in the second half and you could see that,” he said.
“I cannot fault the guys for their effort and the way they responded to systems that we put in place in a couple of days.
“I saw guys putting their bodies on the line and stopping momentum, and our set pieces were running well for us in the short amount of time we had to prepare. From that point of view, I am very happy.
“Boland had their systems in place, so give credit where credit is due.
“So, we will work on our kicking game and our chasing lines and all that sort of stuff.
“I don’t want hammer on about it, but the vibe is good in this EP side.
“You are never happy after a loss, but I cannot fault anyone on effort. That is what this whole thing is about . . . opportunities.
“At least half of the guys put their hands up and I am happy about that.”
Pieterse said the two yellow cards dished out by referee Rodney Bonaparte had also cost his team.
The Kings were reduced to 14 men in the 18th minute when big lock Tazz Fuzani was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle.
Then, in the 58th minute, they were dealt another blow when Alcino Izaacs was yellow-carded for dangerous play.
“In the Currie Cup Premier Division, or any rugby, you cannot play with two yellow cards, and that also cost us,” Pieterse said.
Kings skipper Schalk Ferreira was in the thick of action in the first half and he also praised his new-look team.
“There is still lots to work on, but for our first game out, I think there are a lot of positives we can take from this game,” he said.
“I think the scrums went well and scrums don’t come overnight. I felt we dominated.
“There was also some good lineout play and we were threatening at times with ball in hand.”
Boland skipper Ryan Nell said he was delighted that his team had picked up five points away from home.
Asked if he was concerned at half time when his team enjoyed a slender 7-3 lead, Nell said: “Ja, a lot of mistakes kept them in the game. But it is a game of two halves and we pulled it through.
“We picked up a bit of intensity and we made fewer mistakes. That was the conversation at half time . . . to make fewer mistakes.”
EP showed plenty of fight in the game and were rewarded for their efforts with a late consolation try by Johann Tromp in the 74th minute.
Scorers: Boland Cavaliers 28: Tries: Sergio Torrens, Zandre Jordaan, Chris Bosch, Kenan Cronje. Conversions: Nico Scheepers (4). EP Kings 10: Try: Johann Tromp. Conversion: Lungelo Gosa. Penalty: Kobus Marais.
At least half of the guys put their hands up tonight