Kempson to crack whip at struggling Southern Kings
Concerned Isuzu Southern Kings interim head coach Robbi Kempson will crack the whip and implement phase two of “Operation Peak Fitness” on his underperforming players this week.
On numerous occasions this season, the Kings have faded in the final 20 minutes after holding their own in the opening exchanges.
Kempson is determined to fix the problem ahead of his team’s next game against Edinburgh on March 21 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The Kings players were given last week off but had to attend to their personal fitness programme during the break.
This week, the conditioning programme will continue under the watchful eye of Kempson and head of athletic performance Wayne Taylor.
Asked whether there was a problem with conditioning after the Conancht loss, Kempson said: “Without a doubt, every second message in the match against Connacht was to tell the players to speed the game up.
“It never happened from what I saw, so I would think there will be a heavy conditioning focus going into the break.
“We have a three-week break, so the players will get time off, which I think they need after three games in a row.
“But when the players get time off they get programmes to do.
“But when they get back there will be a major focus on their conditioning.”
With the Kings enduring another dismal season, it has been left to the Toyota Cheetahs to keep SA’s flag flying high.
Though the Cheetahs stumbled in their last game when they were beaten 13-10 by the Dragons in Newport, they still have another firepower to challenge for a playoff berth.
While the Kings have won only one of their opening 13 games, the Cheetahs have pocketed six victories.
The Cheetahs will be hoping to pocket maximum points when they play a series of matches at home in Bloemfontein over the next few weeks.
The defeat for the Free Staters against the Dragons saw them remain in fourth place in the Conference A log.
They are two points behind the Glasgow Warriors, who are expected to be their main contenders for a playoff spot.
Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie was disappointed his team allowed a 10-0 lead to slip against the Dragons, and said they needed to be further ahead to challenge for the victory.
“We didn’t get enough points on the board in the first half when the wind behind us was unbelievably strong,” Fourie said.
“Being 10 points ahead wasn’t good enough, and we needed to take our chances.
“Unfortunately, some passes were dropped and penalties given away, and it cost us.
“It was a big disappointment, but it is what it is and we are now just going to have to make the most of having six games at home.”