JUBILANT Southern Kings head coach Matt Sexton heaped praise on his gallant team after they staged a remarkable fightback to snatch a heart-stopping 28-28 Super Rugby draw against the Brumbies in Canberra yesterday (FRI).
“We are really happy with the three points. We went out there to match their physicality and make sure that we stopped their momentum,” Sexton said.
Kings No 8 Cornell du Preez scored a vital second try three minutes after the full-time siren sounded to earn the Southern Kings a thrilling draw against a Brumbies side who had been strong favourites to overpower the rookie team.
“The Brumbies are a very dangerous side and we managed to stop their momentum. We ticked those boxes well and truly,” Sexton said.
The Kings coach said he was impressed by the character shown by the side and their ability to play 80 minutes.
Sexton attributed their achievement to the heart of the team and their defence and conditioning.
“It’s a massive testament to what the conditioning staff have done over the off season. The Kings are a fit side and they have worked really hard over the off season to get that done. That fitness has been coupled with some massive defence,” he said.
Southern Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons said he was extremely proud of the team and what they had accomplished.
“The thing about us is that we’re not a team of stars, we’re a star team,” he said.
“The identity of the team is character, courage and commitment and that has been built on the back of a potent conditioning and potent defence. The cornerstone of our game is our conditioning and defence,” Solomons said.
Southern Kings boss Cheeky Watson also showered praise on his team after their gutsy showing.
“This result showed that the people of the Eastern Cape have character and will always fight to the bitter end. We are resilient people in this region,” Watson said.
“The outcome will give the team tremendous confidence ahead of their final tour match against the Rebels in Melbourne next Saturday,
“Then, when we play against the Bulls in Port Elizabeth in our next home game on April 20, I am sure Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be packed to capacity,” Watson said.
“All credit to the boys on how we fought back in that final 10 minutes,” Kings captain Andries Strauss said.
“We are growing as a side and hopefully in the future we can win these types of games. We don’t really want to get ahead of ourselves.
“The Kings are happy with this and we would have liked to have got a win. But we will put this behind us and prepare for next week’s game against the Rebels,” Strauss said.
“Our mindset wasn’t right from the start and while we got some points on, we turned off and let them back in,” Brumbies captain Ben Mowen said. “Inconsistency has cost us, but certainly you have got to give credit to them.”
Tries by Henry Speight and Joseph Tomane put the Brumbies ahead 13-0 before three consecutive tries by the Port Elizabeth- based Kings gave the visitors a 21- 19 lead.
Three Christian Lealiifano penalties looked to have put the Brumbies in the clear before late Kings pressure allowed them to gain a draw against the Australian conference leaders.
Solomons said they were thankful for the eight day turn around, and would not be underestimating the Rebels in Melbourne in their final tour match.
Scorers:
Brumbies: Tries: Henry Speight, Joe Tomane; Penalties:Christian Lealiifano (5), Nic White
Southern Kings: Tries: Schalk Ferreira, Wimpie van der Walt, Cornell du Preez (2); Conversions: George Whitehead (3), Demetri Catrakilis.
Kings pull off gutsy draw
“We are really happy with the three points. We went out there to match their physicality and make sure that we stopped their momentum,” Sexton said.
Kings No 8 Cornell du Preez scored a vital second try three minutes after the full-time siren sounded to earn the Southern Kings a thrilling draw against a Brumbies side who had been strong favourites to overpower the rookie team.
“The Brumbies are a very dangerous side and we managed to stop their momentum. We ticked those boxes well and truly,” Sexton said.
The Kings coach said he was impressed by the character shown by the side and their ability to play 80 minutes.
Sexton attributed their achievement to the heart of the team and their defence and conditioning.
“It’s a massive testament to what the conditioning staff have done over the off season. The Kings are a fit side and they have worked really hard over the off season to get that done. That fitness has been coupled with some massive defence,” he said.
Southern Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons said he was extremely proud of the team and what they had accomplished.
“The thing about us is that we’re not a team of stars, we’re a star team,” he said.
“The identity of the team is character, courage and commitment and that has been built on the back of a potent conditioning and potent defence. The cornerstone of our game is our conditioning and defence,” Solomons said.
Southern Kings boss Cheeky Watson also showered praise on his team after their gutsy showing.
“This result showed that the people of the Eastern Cape have character and will always fight to the bitter end. We are resilient people in this region,” Watson said.
“The outcome will give the team tremendous confidence ahead of their final tour match against the Rebels in Melbourne next Saturday,
“Then, when we play against the Bulls in Port Elizabeth in our next home game on April 20, I am sure Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be packed to capacity,” Watson said.
“All credit to the boys on how we fought back in that final 10 minutes,” Kings captain Andries Strauss said.
“We are growing as a side and hopefully in the future we can win these types of games. We don’t really want to get ahead of ourselves.
“The Kings are happy with this and we would have liked to have got a win. But we will put this behind us and prepare for next week’s game against the Rebels,” Strauss said.
“Our mindset wasn’t right from the start and while we got some points on, we turned off and let them back in,” Brumbies captain Ben Mowen said. “Inconsistency has cost us, but certainly you have got to give credit to them.”
Tries by Henry Speight and Joseph Tomane put the Brumbies ahead 13-0 before three consecutive tries by the Port Elizabeth- based Kings gave the visitors a 21- 19 lead.
Three Christian Lealiifano penalties looked to have put the Brumbies in the clear before late Kings pressure allowed them to gain a draw against the Australian conference leaders.
Solomons said they were thankful for the eight day turn around, and would not be underestimating the Rebels in Melbourne in their final tour match.
Scorers:
Brumbies: Tries: Henry Speight, Joe Tomane; Penalties:Christian Lealiifano (5), Nic White
Southern Kings: Tries: Schalk Ferreira, Wimpie van der Walt, Cornell du Preez (2); Conversions: George Whitehead (3), Demetri Catrakilis.
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