THERE is no reason for the Southern Kings to press the panic button even though they have lost their past four Super Rugby games and have had to deal with a mounting injury problem during their overseas tour.
That is the view of skipper Andries Strauss ahead of his team’s crunch clash against the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday.
“What I can say is that even though we have shown character, we still have to up the urgency to come away with a result on this tour.
“This will enable us to get some momentum for the next phase of the competition in South Africa.”
After Friday’s game against the Brumbies the Kings travel to Melbourne to play the Rebels next Saturday.
“The guys are pretty desperate to put in a good performance and we want to step up to the level we know we are capable of,” said Strauss.
Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons said after the defeat against the Hurricanes he wanted his side to cut out the mistakes that had proved so costly .
Strauss said it was a warning that had been taken on board by his side who would be going all out to impress against the in-form Brumbies, who beat the Bulls in their last outing.
“What Alan Solomons had to say has been heeded. It’s not just the mistakes, but the time in the game that we are making them,” said Strauss. “We have talked about it and I’m sure there will be an improvement.”
After an opening-day win over the Western Force, the Kings have slumped to consecutive defeats against the Sharks, Chiefs, Crusaders, and Hurricanes, which has left them at the bottom of the South African conference.
The bottom team in the South African conference face a promotion/relegation match against the Lions.
Complicating matters for the Kings is that the Cheetahs, viewed by many as the other candidates for a possible relegation showdown, have won their past four matches on the trot.
Looking ahead to the Brumbies clash, Strauss said preparations had been going well after the team arrived in Australia from New Zealand.
“The Brumbies are a territorial team and they are quite direct and physical.
“We have to match them physically and focus on keeping the ball in hand if we want the points.”
Strauss, who suffered a bruised shoulder against the Hurricanes, said he would be fit to face the Brumbies.
The Kings team will be announced today and there are concerns over the fitness of flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis (knee injury) and scrumhalf Shaun Venter (ankle injury).
This weekend’s Super Rugby programme:
Friday: Blues v Highlanders (Eden Park, Auckland) 8.35am; Brumbies v Southern Kings (Canberra Stadium, Canberra) 10.40am.
Saturday: Sharks v Crusaders (Kings Park, Durban) 7.10pm; Hurricanes v Waratahs (Westpac Stadium, Wellington) 8.35am, Force v Rebels (NIB Stadium, Perth) 10.40am; Cheetahs v Stormers (Free State, Bloemfontein) 5.05pm.
No panic buttons just yet for Kings with Brumbies in wings
That is the view of skipper Andries Strauss ahead of his team’s crunch clash against the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday.
“What I can say is that even though we have shown character, we still have to up the urgency to come away with a result on this tour.
“This will enable us to get some momentum for the next phase of the competition in South Africa.”
After Friday’s game against the Brumbies the Kings travel to Melbourne to play the Rebels next Saturday.
“The guys are pretty desperate to put in a good performance and we want to step up to the level we know we are capable of,” said Strauss.
Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons said after the defeat against the Hurricanes he wanted his side to cut out the mistakes that had proved so costly .
Strauss said it was a warning that had been taken on board by his side who would be going all out to impress against the in-form Brumbies, who beat the Bulls in their last outing.
“What Alan Solomons had to say has been heeded. It’s not just the mistakes, but the time in the game that we are making them,” said Strauss. “We have talked about it and I’m sure there will be an improvement.”
After an opening-day win over the Western Force, the Kings have slumped to consecutive defeats against the Sharks, Chiefs, Crusaders, and Hurricanes, which has left them at the bottom of the South African conference.
The bottom team in the South African conference face a promotion/relegation match against the Lions.
Complicating matters for the Kings is that the Cheetahs, viewed by many as the other candidates for a possible relegation showdown, have won their past four matches on the trot.
Looking ahead to the Brumbies clash, Strauss said preparations had been going well after the team arrived in Australia from New Zealand.
“The Brumbies are a territorial team and they are quite direct and physical.
“We have to match them physically and focus on keeping the ball in hand if we want the points.”
Strauss, who suffered a bruised shoulder against the Hurricanes, said he would be fit to face the Brumbies.
The Kings team will be announced today and there are concerns over the fitness of flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis (knee injury) and scrumhalf Shaun Venter (ankle injury).
This weekend’s Super Rugby programme:
Friday: Blues v Highlanders (Eden Park, Auckland) 8.35am; Brumbies v Southern Kings (Canberra Stadium, Canberra) 10.40am.
Saturday: Sharks v Crusaders (Kings Park, Durban) 7.10pm; Hurricanes v Waratahs (Westpac Stadium, Wellington) 8.35am, Force v Rebels (NIB Stadium, Perth) 10.40am; Cheetahs v Stormers (Free State, Bloemfontein) 5.05pm.
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