Kings Brought Down to Earth

After the EP Kings claimed the Currie Cup 1st Devision title last week against the Pumas, they travelled full of convidence to Bloemfontein to tackle the Cheetahs in the first leg of two games, hoping to gain promotion to the Premier Devision.

The Cheetahs played as if their lives depended on the result and lets be honest, it technically did. If the Cheetahs lost it would have opened a whole new can of worms regarding the Kings playing SupeRugby next year at the expense of the Lions. Ultimately the Cheetahs gave the Kings no chance as they dispatched them 53-14. Unless the Cheetahs implode spectacularly next week in the second leg and lose by 40 points without getting a bonus point, their spot in the Premier League seems to be as safe as a reinforced concrete basement in hurricane season.

The Kings placid display begged a couple of questions, if the Cheetahs handled them so easy, what is going to happen against the likes of the Crusaders, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Bulls, Sharks and Stormers just to name a couple of high class SupeRugby sides who know how to demolish strong opposition? Will SARU back their decision to let the Kings play SupeRugby pre-maturely?

After last night one thing stood out like sore thumb, the Kings will end last on the SA converence and the Lions will replace them in 2014.

I am not saying that the Kings do not have tallented rugby players to make the cut at the highest level, I am saying that they are not READY!!
They should have released a couple of young players to the five individual unions to prepare them for arguably the toughest rugby competition in the world. This should have happened 2-3 years ago, yes they have a acadamy system in place, yes they have very good coaches, but is that enough? Is Cheeky Watson going to flash his rather large checkbook to "buy" a decent team to be competitive enough not to end up with the wooden spoon?

The Kings have another shot at the Cheetahs next weekend and lets hope for their sake that they put up a better fight and show the whole of South Africa that they are indeed ready to play SupeRugby.

Till next time, be blessed.
Barry-Jo