By Max Drinkwater-James
Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan was full of praise for flanker Taine Basham after a great individual performance. The Dragons were beat 33-30 by the Sharks at Rodney Parade after an 84th minute game winning try from Fez Mbatha broke Dragons hearts.
The Dragons showed signs of promise against the Sharks spending a large amount of the game ahead.One man for the host who stood out was Taine Basham. The flanker was exceptional in defence and attack.
“He’s all action, wasn’t he?” Flanagan said “It’s a start for Taine now isn’t it so he’s got to do it from here” said Flanagan when asked about Basham’s performance.
Another player who stood out for the home side was starting scrum half Rhodri Williams. “He was excellent, Rod. I think with Dane, Rod, Che, and Morgan, we’ve got a really good depth at 9, At the moment, Dane took his chance in preseason, and Rod’s taken his chances tonight.” Flanagan said, when asked about Williams’ impact on the match.
Flanagan was also quick to point out the team atmosphere and the desire within the dressing room.“ They’ll push each other. They’ll continue [chances] all for them. Hopefully, you have game time. And so when they get it, they’ve gotta keep it,“ And that is the measure of the changing room now, if you look for the players out, then when they’re back, they’ve gotta run their way back into this team.”
Flanagan was also quick to make his feeling clear regarding any refereeing decisions. “I said, I’m not confrontational in any way. I’ve got a good relationship with the referees,He showed me the ball in the line, and he is a good ref. So it’s just tough to take when you have a couple of apologies from the referee the week before, and then some 50/50’s.” Said Flanagan.
The Dragons now face the Lions in their next URC fixture.
