They may only have won one of their nine Super Rugby fixtures this year, but the Southern Kings have won the approval of one of New Zealand rugby’s all-time greats: Blues coach Tana Umaga.
They may only have won one of their nine Super Rugby fixtures this year, but the Southern Kings have won the approval of one of New Zealand rugby’s all-time greats: Blues coach Tana Umaga.
Speaking after his side beat the Kings 34-18 in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, Umaga said: “I talked to the captain [Steven Sykes] after the game and I just congratulated them on the effort they put in today.”
“It’s tough in this competition and it hasn’t been made easy with the setbacks they had at the start of the season – and what went on, I don’t know that – but all you can ask is just for your team to give 100% effort and be committed to the cause, and I thought they did that.”
“They created an arm-wrestle for us today. I don’t think they let themselves down at all – and, you know, the more time you spend together, the more you build and I’m sure that their little trip that they had away kind of galvanised them… Hopefully they can still do some work while they’re back here.”
Umaga’s words will come as music to the ears of the Kings as they prepare for Saturday’s game against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in a bid to rejuvenate their season.
Meanwhile, the former All Black captain’s side will have to be ready for Johannesburg’s high altitude and a Saturday clash with an in-form Lions side as they look to keep up the pressure on the Hurricanes and the Highlanders in the race for the quarter-final spots.
