Dragons Coach Tiatia Praises Team’s Resilience Despite 24-10 Defeat to Leinster
NEWPORT, Wales – Dragons coach Phil Tiatia expressed pride in his team’s determined performance despite a 24-10 loss to reigning champions Leinster in a BKT United Rugby Championship match at rodney Parade on Saturday. While a late try from Leinster’s RG Snyman denied the Dragons a potential losing bonus point,tiatia highlighted his side’s defensive strength and growing confidence.
the Dragons, despite the defeat, demonstrated meaningful fight, leading at halftime thanks to a try from Matthew Screech. The match saw a tense second half with pivotal refereeing decisions questioned by Tiatia, occurring while the Dragons were within seven points. This loss comes as the Dragons continue to build under Tiatia, aiming to establish themselves as a competitive force in the URC.
“I saw it differently to the officials,” Tiatia stated, referring to the late-game calls. “In the context of the game, it was at a key time when we were close and seven points behind.” he acknowledged Snyman’s decisive try, adding, “The big fella then took his opportunity down to the edge and scored in the corner.”
Tiatia was especially pleased with his team’s scrum dominance and defensive efforts, noting they “held them up numerous times over the line.” He stressed, “I am disappointed for the players…they had more dominance at the scrum, but we stayed in the fight defensively.” He also emphasized the need for improved clinical finishing, stating, “We’ve got to keep growing around being clinical and taking our chances.”
The Dragons sustained some injuries during the match, with Seb Davies a concern and Ryan Woodman suffering a dead leg, though he is hoped to be fit for the upcoming match against Perpignan. tiatia also praised the debut of young hooker Wills Austin, who stepped in due to injuries to James Benjamin and Elliot Dee. “We should celebrate Will coming on,” Tiatia said. “Definitely a different level for him, but he was great. He has come in on short notice…He is a good learner and picked up things swift.”
