Rugby
Leopards to continue working on their attack─── MORGAN PIEK 08:45 Tue, 26 Mar 2024
“The disappointing fact for me is that I don't think we fired a shot attacking wise. That's something that we need to take on board. I coach at the attack, so I need to coach that better.”
The Leopards face another big challenge on Saturday when they host the Toyota Cheetahs in Potchefstroom during round two of the SA Cup.
Last week the Leopards endured a tough outing in Kimberley in round 1, where they lost 88-0 to the Griquas.
The Leopards showed some glimpses of what they are capable of, however, they hardly asked any questions of the Griquas defence and while this has been a focus, they want to revisit it in the lead up to the Cheetahs game.
The Cheetahs in turn started their campaign with a 38-7 win against the Boland Cavaliers, but they too have a lot of work-ons in the week that one will be to have a little more patience with ball in hand.
The Leopards coach, Matt Proudfoot, told OFM Sport that while the Griquas defence was superb, the attack is a big work-on and they have to apply more pressure with ball in hand.
“I thought for 25 minutes that we punched really well,” said Proudfoot.
“We know where we are physically and it's going to be a long process to get our guys to a physical level where they can compete longer and longer against teams that play in a higher division than us.
“I was really impressed with the Griquas defence, it was exceptional. I thought their intensity in the double-hit, their fold, their width and their line-speed was really exceptional. It was high quality work, so I was really impressed with the way they defended.
“That probably was what made me most disappointed in our team, was we had opportunities in the first half, in their half to apply pressure and we didn't. So, I think that was the biggest learning for us.
“We know where we are physically now and where we've got to work at and I think it's something where we've got a good plan in place to do.
“The disappointing fact for me is that I don't think we fired a shot attacking wise. That's something that we need to take on board. I coach at the attack, so I need to coach that better.”
Saturday’s match between the Leopards and Cheetahs at Olën Park in Potchefstroom will kick-off at 15:00.
Morgan Piek OFM Sport
