In the upcoming URC match against DHL Stormers on Saturday, Santiago Cordero, the Argentine international, is set to grace the pitch in Connacht’s colours for the first time. According to Head Coach Pete Wilkins, the 30-year-old fullback/wing player, who had a full week of training last week, is ready for the selection, a testament to Cordero’s diligent efforts to regain his peak form.
Sadly, the update on Irish international Mack Hansen isn’t as encouraging. Despite being close to achieving full fitness, his shoulder isn’t prepared for the physical demands of a match, with Wilkins saying it’s still a week-to-week assessment involving contact testing in relation to tackling, breakdown work, and ball carrying, coupled with physiotherapy sessions and continuous rehabilitation.
Unfavourable news rolls in regarding Connacht’s scrum-halves as well. Matthew Devine’s appearance is uncertain, while both Caolin Blade, suffering a rib injury, and Michael McDonald are also awaiting evaluations. Further bad news comes in the form of injuries to Tiernan O’Halloran, Denis Buckley, Shane Bolton, JJ Hanrahan, Eoin de Butléar, and Diarmuid Kilgallon being ruled out.
On a brighter note, 24-year-old backrow Cian Prendergast is back in full training after a thumb injury and is likely to hit the pitch against the South African team. Connacht urgently needs a victory to keep its hopes alive in the URC knock-out stages.
Wilkins has communicated to the players that the playoffs begin this week and their performance will be crucial. Achieving two victories would instil confidence in them about reaching their desired level, whereas a single win would leave their fate depending to a great extent on other teams’ outcomes, which has not been favourable up to now. Hence, the upcoming weekend is a make-or-break situation for them.
The team’s spirits were significantly dented by the severe loss to Munster last week, something Wilkins admits they can’t disregard. The players are in need of a morale boost following this setback. However, the high stakes of this week’s match, pitting them against a top team that emerged victorious in the previous year’s semi-finals, brings with it layers of complexities. Accompanied by their Springboks, and given this is the last home game at Dexcom Stadium and the Clan Stand, along with a ceremony for departing players post-match, there is a mix of positive and negative buzz around the match.
However, Wilkins believes that ironically, this backdrop might make the mental preparation for the match simpler, as long as the team remains completely engrossed and focused on the rugby aspect of the upcoming week. Through thorough training, physical preparedness, and a clever game plan, they can channel their energy effectively. Distracting narratives could result in energy scattering in various directions.
He emphasises the crucial need for Connacht to capitalise on the opportunities to gain the ball. Tackling statistics imply massive energy consumption, specifically in the first 30 minutes of the games. Thus, taking advantage of opportunities, whether that’s catching long balls, executing lineouts efficiently, ensuring successful kicks to touch or avoiding dropping the ball, could help exert pressure on the opposition rather than just persistently defending against attacks. This strategic approach will prove critical against the Stormers.