Matt Sherratt has challenged his Cardiff backs to be brave and bold as a Friday night clash with Vodacom Bulls looms.
The Blue and Blacks take on the South African outfit following a slender defeat to the Scarlets in Round Three of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
It was an encounter where the Scarlets’ experienced players stood tall but Cardiff dominated for long periods but were unable to fully translate pressure into points.
Reflecting on the performance at Parc y Scarlets, Sherratt believes his side could have fired more shots in attack but he also called for patience with a new look side.
He said: “Our backs need to be braver, I thought we were probably waiting for the perfect opportunity and that doesn't come along.
“We were letting our forwards carry a little bit too much between the 15 metres and not backing ourselves, calling for the ball and getting us to the wide channels.
“We got to the wide channels twice with (Harri) Millard’s inside ball to Ellis Bevan for a try try and then obviously it was more a bit of individual with Cam Winnett’s crossfield kick and Cabango scores a wonder try.
“So the two times we got it there, we managed to get 12 points out of it. We just need to be braver and get it there more.
“We've got a fairly new nine in terms of Ellis Bevan. It was his first start against Benetton. We've got a brand new 10. We've got a brand new 10 on the bench in Arwell. Obviously Willis came in late. Max Clark is new to the club, Beetham and Winnett are young boys, Millard’s probably playing out of position - he’s a 13 playing on the wing.
“People are going to have to be patient. It's going to take a bit of time. All the effort and the fight stuff that I've talked a lot about is things that it doesn't matter how long you've been at the club, you can show that.
“Attack is, a bit more timing and understanding people's movements and understanding systems, so it's not something that comes as quick as defensive stuff and the kick chase stuff really. We'll keep going with that and I'm sure it'll show in the next week or two.”
The Bulls have won two of their three games this season and arrive at the Arms Park having won both previous encounters between the sides in the URC.
They are renowned for their power and forward strength but Sherratt is wary that they have threats all over the pitch and an all round game.
Sherratt added: “There’s more to them. Where it's easy with the South African teams is we say they're physical and they've got a good set piece, but they've got some pretty good backs as well.
“They have got a balanced game, but in essence, they have got a power game to go back to.
“We're going to face a real physical challenge, they’ve got big forwards and they've got good attacking shape as well to get their forwards one on one tackles.
“So 100% the physical battle will be there. But as I said, they've got some exciting outside backs as well that they can use to test your edges.”