A bold statement from Dwayne Peel, who sees the silver lining in a tough loss.
Despite the 29-19 defeat to the Hollywoodbets Sharks, a team brimming with Springbok talent, Peel believes his Scarlets side took a crucial step forward.
Tries from Marnus van der Merwe, Blair Murray, and Tom Rogers kept the Scarlets in the game, but ultimately, they fell short.
"It was a step in the right direction," Peel emphasized. "We showed glimpses of our true potential today, but there's still work to be done."
The head coach acknowledged the frustration of leaving with nothing despite their efforts, but he remained optimistic.
"We had our moments, and we pushed them hard. But a few poor executions and some soft tries conceded cost us dearly."
Peel's focus now shifts to the upcoming break and the hard work needed to prepare for the next block of URC and Champions Cup fixtures.
"It's an exciting challenge for us," he added. "We're healthy, and that's a big plus. Now, it's about refining our strategies and ensuring we're physically ready for the battles ahead."
And here's where it gets interesting. When asked about his team's physicality against the star-studded Sharks, Peel revealed a key insight.
"Physicality has always been our forte, especially during our playoff run last season. Seeing that intensity again was encouraging."
But he also highlighted the challenges posed by the Sharks' size and their formidable maul attack.
"We managed it well for the most part, but it was that final finesse, that extra gear we need to find when we break through the gaineline."
So, what's your take on Peel's assessment? Is he being too optimistic, or does this loss indeed signal a turning point for the Scarlets?
Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
