The NSW Waratahs are determined to reap some much-needed rewards from the South African leg of their Super Rugby campaign, but are wary about their first tussle with the Kings.
Six points off sixth spot after last week’s loss to the Bulls, NSW need to win in Port Elizabeth early Sunday (AEST) to stay in the finals race.
The second-last Kings have lost six of their nine games in their first season, but are unbeaten against Australian teams, with wins over the Force and Rebels and a draw against the competition-leading Brumbies.
“They are very strong with their driving, mauling play,” Waratahs assistant coach Daryl Gibson said of the Kings.
“They have a very good fly-half who can kick penalties and has a very good kicking game.
“We’re certainly very wary of what they can do and respectful of the fact that they have beaten Australian teams.”
The Waratahs will be looking for their first win in South Africa in four years after eight straight losses.
With the Kings boasting a high percentage goalkicker in five-eighth Demetri Catrakilis, NSW have been working on improving their discipline after Bulls pivot Morne Steyn booted six penalties against them in Pretoria last weekend.
The Tahs have also focused on rectifying their lineout after losing several of their own throws to the Bulls.
“We’re still very disappointed with not coming away from the Bulls game with any points at all, so we’ve sharpened our focus around making sure we leave Africa with some points,” Gibson said.
“We really want to come away from this game with some rewards from the tour.”
Both teams have made one change on the wing, with Peter Betham replacing Tom Kingston for NSW and the Kings teenage speedster Sergeal Petersen coming in for Michael Killian.
Gibson is impressed with the continued development of Israel Folau, who scored a breathtaking solo try against the Bulls and set up another with a line break.
“Every game, he seems to get better and better and understand it more and more,” Gibson said of Folau.
“He’s getting rewards for working hard.”
Folau is looming as a contender for the Wallabies team for next month’s three-Test series with the British and Irish Lions, with Gibson saying the announcement of the touring squad has generated plenty of interest among the Waratahs.