Harsh reality for new boys on Super rugby block

26 November 2015 - 02:38 By Liam del Carme

The Kings and Tokyo's Sunwolves might appear to have first dibs on the wooden spoon in next year's Super rugby, but the perennially struggling Cheetahs aren't developing a superiority complex just yet. Forwards coach Corniel van Zyl, part of the pioneering team of 2006, knows what it takes not to prop up the rear in your maiden season. "It is a challenge. It isn't easy to do well in your first season," he said yesterday, although the Cheetahs exceeded all expectations by finishing 10th in the then Super14.As additions to the expanded tournament next year, the Kings, the Sunwolves and the team from Buenos Aires will have to hit the deck running - but only one of them appears on course to do so."The Argentinian team is well established," noted Van Zyl. "They will be strong. However, the team will have to travel more than any other team because they are the only team from their continent."As for the Cheetahs: "We have to be accurate and execute better. You never know. You tweak things from game to game but generally we will play the same way."..

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