Valais rugby forwards coach Danny Wilson prepared the players for training, emphasizing that the team is preparing for a serious physical test awaiting them during the Nations Cup match against the Springboks at Kings Park on Saturday.
Valais rugby forwards coach Danny Wilson prepared the players for training, emphasizing that the team is preparing for a serious physical test awaiting them during the Nations Cup match against the Springboks at Kings Park on Saturday.
Danny Wilson believes that the upcoming match against the Springboks in Kings Park provides an ideal opportunity for his team to demonstrate their progress, despite the loss to Argentina last week. The campaign started successfully with a victory over Fiji, but this was followed by an unsuccessful match against Los Pumas.
Wilson cited the loss of momentum in the middle of the game as the key reason for the defeat. After Tuesday's training session in Durban, he stated: 'I think collectively we are a little disappointed with the game, especially the third quarter where we lost momentum.' He added that they analyzed both positive and negative aspects, and that their standards are constantly rising, requiring them to find ways to finish games in international rugby.
The main lesson learned from the loss to Argentina was increasing the pace when possessing the ball. Wilson noted that the team did not react quickly enough to the ball, which hindered them from winning the gain line and the contact area. This allowed Argentina to take the initiative.
The team will face serious tests against the reigning world champion, whom Wilson called the benchmark of world rugby. He emphasized that playing in their home conditions is a great opportunity for the squad. They need to match their physical strength across the entire field, as this is where they gain their dominance, and the team needs to be significantly better than last week.
As forwards coach, Wilson understands that the battle for the set-piece could be decisive. Although he is pleased with Valais' progress in this area, he expects the toughest challenge. He acknowledged that their scrum brought penalties and moments of dominance, and that tries were scored from driving lineouts. However, he believes the opposing team is the best in the world at set-pieces due to outstanding athletes in the lineout, a very powerful scrum, and a deep squad.
Captain Devi Lake remains a concern regarding physical condition after the injury sustained against Argentina, but Wilson is optimistic about his speedy recovery. Lake participated in training, which is a positive sign, and the decision on his participation will be made after observing him over the next 24 hours.
Wilson also stressed the importance of converting scoring opportunities into sustained pressure after Valais managed to score against Argentina, before immediately losing the initiative. He concluded that the team is effective when inside the opponent's 22-meter line, but now the task is to increase such penetrations and subsequently manage the next phase of the game intelligently. Against South Africa, they cannot afford to lose momentum, as they will make them pay for it.