Kings outgun Bulls but 'work still needed'
[caption id="attachment_37186" align="alignright" width="250"] TOO LATE: Paul Schoeman scores the first try for the Southern Kings as Corne Cooper of the Bulls tries to tackle him during their friendly at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at the weekend. Picture: BRIAN WITBOOI[/caption]
DEMANDING Southern Kings coach Carlos Spencer is not getting carried away by his team's sparkling 66-28 win over a young Bulls XV in a Super Rugby friendly at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at the weekend.
"Though we did a lot of things right we still have a lot to work on," Spencer, a former star All Black flyhalf, said.
"I think our turnovers are still too high. Though our structures are good, too many individuals are falling off tackles and I thought we leaked soft tries. There are things we have to work on in terms of our defence, but overall I was very happy.
"It was good to put on 60 or so points even though it was not a full Bulls team. It was a good result and goes to show that some of the stuff we worked on after the Wales game worked," he said.
The 6000-strong crowd on Friday were treated to an exciting brand of rugby by the Kings as the home team ran in 10 sizzling tries against the outgunned Bulls.
The Bulls sent an inexperienced group of players to Port Elizabeth because their top stars were in action against the Namibian Welwitchias in Windhoek on Saturday.
The new-look Kings had been keen for a win after losing their opening three Super Rugby friendlies against the Cheetahs, Lions and Stormers at the start of the season back in January and February.
"This win was great for morale because we want to play an expansive style of rugby and to be ambitious. To score 10 tries against any team is good and the guys will take a lot of confidence out of this result.
"We must remember we have to keep working hard and the Currie Cup in about five weeks is our main focus. These friendlies are all about building confidence in what we are trying to achieve, where we are heading and that we are happy with our game plan.
"We gave away 15 to 17 points from kickoff receipt and we did speak about that at half time and it cost us. That is the stuff we have to work on.
"We would rather it happen in the warm-up games than against Western Province in the opener."
Kings skipper Luke Watson, who scored his team's second try in the ninth minute, will have been satisfied with his comeback after a long layoff because of a foot injury.
There were tries for Watson, Tim Whitehead (2), Paul Schoeman, Jaco Grobler, Ntabeni Dukisa, Shane Gates, Thembelani Bholi, Scott van Breda and Kevin Luiters as the Kings played scintillating running rugby.
With the dependable boot of Van Breda adding eight conversions, the Kings will now look ahead to their next friendly against the Sharks on July 4 with a fresh spring in their step.
Further friendlies against the SWD Eagles and Free State are also in the pipeline ahead of the Currie Cup opener against WP. On the evidence of the showing against the Bulls XV, Kings fans would appear to be in for a feast of running rugby as Spencer's influence takes hold on the team. - George Byron
