Scarlets will see best of me now
Steffan Thomas talks to Scarlets Springbok No.8 Uzair Cassiem about his hopes for the season
IF THINGS had worked out differently Uzair Cassiem could have been going to the World Cup in Japan with South Africa next month. The 29-year-old won the last of his eight caps for the Springboks two years ago before opting to head for pastures new in Wales and he is now focused on making the Scarlets great again.
Softly spoken off the field, Cassiem is fiercely determined to show fans in Llanelli his true quality after a frustrating first campaign in the northern hemisphere.
Much was expected from the powerful No.8, but he struggled to make an impact in his debut season with first an Achilles injury and then a shoulder injury limiting his minutes on the field.
But after a productive preseason, Cassiem insists he is now fully fit and is looking to making a big impact under new Scarlets head coach Brad Mooar.
“Last season didn’t go to plan for me especially considering it was my first season with a new club,” Cassiem told TRP. “I wanted to start well and make a name for myself in Wales.
“Last season I suffered with a bad shoulder injury. It forced me to miss some games and when I played I was in a lot of discomfort so it was hard to get any momentum.
“I’ve put last season behind me and I’m feeling very fresh after a great pre-season. Hopefully I’ll stay injury free this coming season. I’m hoping to hit the ground running and make a big impact.
“I want Scarlets fans to see the best of me this season. We’ve got new coaches in Brad and Glenn Delaney and they’ve been really good in pre-season so I can’t wait to start.
“I’ll have a chat with Brad in the coming weeks to see what he expects from me, but pre-season has been a breath of fresh air and
all the boys love it. There has been a great vibe in training and the boys have a real spring in their steps.”
The Scarlets endured a bitterly disappointing season last time out as they failed to qualify for the Champions Cup for the first time in their history.
Cassiem is confident they can do better this time, but has urged the region’s supporters to keep their expectations in check.
Mooar’s succession of Wayne Pivac, plus it being a World Cup year, means the Scarlets are at the start of a new era and will be without their leading internationals for the start of the new Guinness PRO14 campaign.
“We’ve got new coaches which means there will be new systems and new structures. The boys will take a bit of time to adapt,” Cassiem said.
“Doing well in training is one thing, but to take it on to the field is another. The supporters need to be a bit patient with us.
“Once it clicks we can have a successful season. We don’t enter competitions just to take part.
“I want to win silverware and be a part of a successful side. I think the main aim for the season has to be qualifying for the Champions Cup and getting into the PRO14 play-offs.
“We want to try and win the Challenge Cup as well.”
With the World Cup starting next month Cassiem will be keeping a close eye on how his former Springbok team-mates fare in Japan.
And after winning the Rugby Championship last weekend Cassiem believes they are serious contenders to emerge on top.
He said: “The Springboks have given themselves a good platform to win the World Cup. It’s the most open World Cup I can remember.
“I honestly think there are six or seven teams that could win it. I’m still in touch with a lot of the Springboks players and they love working under Rassie Erasmus who is a great coach.
“Their forwards can dominate any side and they’ve got some good backs. Even though the World Cup is open they’ve definitely got a good chance of winning it.”