‘If I wasn’t working at the stadium, I’d be going as a fan’
Rugby’s Judgement Day is almost upon us and the respective coaches are making their final preparations for Saturday’s huge double-header. Rugby correspondent SIMON THOMAS has sought the thoughts of the four men at the helm on what lies ahead at a packed P
Danny Wilson (Cardiff Blues) “If I wasn’t working at the stadium this weekend, I would go along as a fan.
From a Welsh rugby point of view, it doesn’t get any bigger, does it? You have got all your internationals on show, plus regions who are battling out in derbies, the most exciting games. What a place to be, especially in a derby against the Ospreys where both sides are fighting for the same thing. It puts real excitement into the game.
“When you are playing in front of that kind of crowd at the stadium, it’s impossible not to be excited by it. You look forward to it.
You know it’s going to lift everybody, both teams, in what is probably a winner-takes-all game. I think it’s going to make for a really exciting game.
It’s two sides that are going to go for it and play some rugby because ultimately both need points out of the game. It should make for a great match.
“We have known for a number of weeks now that every match is a must-win game to give ourselves an opportunity of qualifying for the Champions Cup. We have managed to get some good results and give ourselves a chance.
It’s the top end European competition we all want to be in. We have played a series of derbies recently culminating in this massive one to finish that run off for us and we are really excited and motivated by it. We have led into this with a bit of form and it makes for a great occasion. But we are fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead.
“There are a few milestones we have managed to attain in the derbies this year. The double over the Scarlets was a massive one for us and hasn’t been done for a number of years.
We have another opportunity now in the stadium against a very good side in an atmosphere and environment that should be exciting and motivating for the players.” Steve Tandy (Ospreys) “It was fantastic at Judgement Day last year. I know speaking to a couple of boys, they said it felt like an international day with the bus-ride in and the streets lined with fans. It’s growing year on year and the occasion is superb, with so many people going. Hopefully they will sell the stadium out which will be huge.
It’s a great spectacle with four good teams and it’s a great day out at a great venue.
“Our international boys are pretty experienced around playing there, but it’s a great opportunity for the likes of Owen Watkin,
Adam Beard to feature in something that’s going to be such a big spectacle. It’s going to be great for their learning experience. We have been missing a lot of experience with the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Paul James, Ashley Beck, Tyler Ardron and Jeff Hassler out injured, but some of the young boys have stepped up and done really well.
This is a great opportunity for them to showcase themselves on a big occasion. They are young kids but they are not afraid to express themselves and they just want to be part of things.
“Ultimately, it’s a game we desperately need to win. There’s massive passion around the derby game and it’s something we are pretty excited about.
There have been ups and downs around the season. Our European Cup campaign ended on severe disappointment, but beating the likes of Clermont, Exeter, Bordeaux was a real positive for us. Ultimately we have lost too many home games in the league, particularly at the start of the season. If we don’t get into the top six, it will definitely be a disappointing season for us.” Kingsley Jones (Dragons) “People have seen the success of Judgement Day and they want to be part of it. It is a great day and the Union have priced it really well too. We all know in Wales we haven’t got too many billionaires wandering around and we are not all earning massive wages. It’s a big day out and this stadium itself is special for the Welsh people. We love coming here. It’s a chance to see all the Welsh internationals. Not everyone comes to watch Wales play. Coming here, you get to see so many of the Welsh team playing for their region. It’s become a big occasion and it will become an annual event that will continue to grow.
Even the Aviva Premiership finals started off at 25,000, but now it’s a full house and this will go the same way.
“There is no need to motivate the boys playing a big game against the Scarlets. It’s a great occasion for the players to play here, especially with a young group like ours. To have the opportunity to play in the stadium is special. There is definitely a change and a focus in the week. For our young guys, it’s about enjoying it and hopefully the occasion doesn’t get to them too much and we front up. The Scarlets are a very good side.
I know they have had a hiccup in the last fortnight or so, but we expect a real tough challenge and a bit of a backlash after their performance against Glasgow. I just hope our players enjoy the moment and build on the last three weeks.” Wayne Pivac (Scarlets) “The Dragons are going to be a tough nut to crack. The occasion itself will lift them, especially a lot of the guys who haven’t played in this atmosphere before. We’re aware of the strengths they have and what they’ve got as well is a lot of youth. With that, comes enthusiasm and guys who want to make names for themselves. You see it all the time in this sport where a young guy comes up against an international or more recognised player and comes out on top. We’re well aware of the threat they pose, but we’ve got to focus on our performance and make sure we do the little things right and bring a lot of enthusiasm to the match.
“Looking at our defeat to Glasgow, there are a couple of things. Obviously the way we played in the first half, the mistakes we made, we have addressed that.
“There was also the illness that went through the camp. The guys are back to their normal body weights now. We’ve had a really good look at it, discussed it and put it to bed. We’ve moved forward and we are looking forward to this occasion.
“We have had a few things to overcome this season in terms of some class players being injured during the World Cup, so to have been in the top four right throughout, up until last week, has been very pleasing. We haven’t always played that well, but we’ve eked out the wins when we’ve needed to. “So, for us, the last couple of games have been very disappointing and we want to put that right and hopefully finish the season strongly.”