Skipper Kahn Fotuali'i led by example as he helped the Ospreys to a big derby day victory over the Scarlets yesterday, claiming his second successive man of the match award, but he stressed that the win was down a good team performance with the whole group understanding and implementing the game plan.
Fotuali’i was his usual influential self as the Ospreys blew away their rivals from across the Loughor Bridge, and although the team missed out on a try bonus, he insisted that the win was all-important.
“First and foremost we went out there to win” he said.
“We knew it was going to be tough. The scoreboard shows quite a big score line in our favour but it was pretty tough.
“We would have loved the try bonus point which didn’t come in the end, but all credit to the forwards for their efforts and the backs for putting us in the right areas. When the forwards produce something like they did tonight it allows Biggs to put us in the rights areas to play in, putting teams under pressure.
“Everybody who’s taking the field understands the game plan and that’s crucial as a unit. There were 23 out there tonight but it takes a whole squad to understand the game plan and to implement it.
“Like all derbies it got a bit niggly and stuff but I was telling our boys we’ve got to stay in the game. We had to keep our heads, try and play as a team, and put pressure on them, which we did.
“It’s a very important win for us. We can build a bit of confidence within the group after two good wins. Like I’ve said before, the boys being on the same page makes it a lot easier for us as a group. We’ve just got to keep raising the bar, keep enjoying ourselves.
“It comes down to team performance, it’s all about the team. We can all play well together, and it’s all credit to the boys tonight for a good team performance.”