DRAGONS head coach Dai Flanagan has called on his side to “go after” the South Africans after their morale-boosting derby win against the Ospreys.
The Rodney Parade club got their United Rugby Championship campaign up and running with a 20-5 triumph in Newport.
After four losses on the spin, the Dragons took the spoils by making the most of a red card for Ospreys winger Mat Protheroe in the 28th minute.
They led 13-5 at the break thanks to a well-taken try by Bradley Roberts and then sealed the spoils through Wales wing Rio Dyer in the final quarter when the visitors were down to 13 after Luke Morgan’s yellow card.
Now they aim to back that up with a double-header in South Africa, taking on the winless Sharks in Durban and then the Lions in Johannesburg.
JOY: The Dragons celebrate Rio Dyer's try (Image: Huw Evans Agency)
“We have always looked forward to South Africa with the good weather and the fast tracks, and we can look forward to it even more now,” said Flanagan.
“If we can reproduce the attacking performance that we did against the Ospreys, with a bit more accuracy, then we can score points. It’s an opportunity for us to go out there and go after teams.”
The Dragons wasted a commanding position in the final quarter when going down to defeat to Edinburgh on opening day and then produced a shocking performance when beaten by Cardiff.
Heavy losses to Irish heavyweights Munster and Leinster made the Ospreys clash a vital one, and Flanagan was delighted by the way that his squad took the spoils.
THREAT: Dragons back rower Aaron Wainwright on the charge (Image: Huw Evans Agency)
“I asked the group to take the shackles off because we looked like we were playing within ourselves. I said to ignore the results, let everyone else talk about them,” he said.
“I know that they had the red card but we moved the ball and we were dominant with our speed and tempo. When we are brave and back ourselves, it’s a joy to be a part of this.
“I was a little fearful [when missed chances to kill the game off] because winning is a habit and so is losing, so it’s nice that the boys expressed themselves and got a good result at the end of it.
“The pressure can be massive because the players read everything that is written and you would be naïve to think that they didn’t.
“They are good people in that changing room that are so desperate for success, so it’s nice that we can give a little back with that victory.
“Those post-match feelings are why we do it, why we put up with all of the stress, late nights and the times when we don’t speak to our families too much after losing.”
The Dragons fly to South Africa on Tuesday and are likely to be without Wales lock Ben Carter, who suffered a hamstring injury in the first quarter.
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