Cardiff Rugby coach, Corniel van Zyl, said he was “still angry” after Friday night’s defeat to the Scarlets, but stressed that the focus has already turned to a swift response in the Boxing Day Derby against the Dragons.
Speaking following the loss at Cardiff Arms Park, Van Zyl reflected on a performance that created plenty of opportunities but ultimately lacked the cutting edge to convert pressure into points.
“Very angry,” he said. “It’s just a case of lost opportunities. To be fair, there was a lot of positive stuff – the amount of chances we created was good to see. They had a plan, we had a plan, and ultimately the result showed their plan worked better than ours. But it’s over now, so we move forward. The turnaround is very short.”
With little time to reset before the festive derby, preparation has been condensed, but Van Zyl was encouraged by how the squad responded in training, believing minor adjustments could have a significant impact.
“I was pleased with today’s session,” he explained. “We looked at things in the meetings and then applied them on the pitch, which was good. Sometimes it’s just small tweaks that make a big difference, and I believe that’s the case. The short turnaround is challenging, but we knew about it a long time ago, so we planned for it.”
One of the major positives to emerge from the Scarlets game was the return of key personnel, with Taulupe Faletau, Liam Belcher and Johan Mulder all back in action after spells on the sidelines.
“It’s obviously good to have those players back,” Van Zyl said. “Taulupe was out a little bit longer, Liam a shorter period, and Johan for three or four weeks. It’s good to have the squad healthy and a bigger pool to select from. It’s a challenge to select the team, but that’s a good challenge to have.”
Turning attention to the Dragons, Van Zyl acknowledged their recent upturn in form, while dismissing any focus on historical records between the two sides.
“We don’t really look at previous results,” he said. “Especially after last week. It’s about making the crowd and the supporters proud of the performance we put out. Friday was frustrating, but now it’s about getting back to what we do and focusing on that.”
The Cardiff head coach also reported no major new injury concerns, noting that a few knocks picked up against the Scarlets were managed through to full-time.
He also highlighted the contribution of winger Mason Grady, who produced a strong display and took his try well after a difficult spell disrupted by injury.
“I’m pleased for him,” Van Zyl said. “That finish in the corner wasn’t easy. He’s had a tough run of injuries, but he’ll grow into it more and more. Especially at this time of year, the aerial battle is big, and his size can be a real benefit.”
With frustration still fresh but confidence in their preparation intact, Cardiff now turn their attention to Boxing Day, aiming to put things right in front of their supporters as the East Wales derby arrives at the Arms Park.