Merlin League champion coach talks about the final triumph
With East Rand United’s astonishing Merlin League final win against rivals Brakpan still fresh in memory, the Advertiser caught up with charismatic coach Derick Sampson, to establish how the team turned it around after seemingly being down-and-out halfway through the thrilling match.
United trailed 34-14 during the break, with Nigel extending their lead to as much as 51-28 midway into the second half, before the seemingly impossible became possible.
The Advertiser asked:
Coach, you were down and seemingly out at half-time, with the score at 34-14 in favour of Nigel. Take us through what was going on inside your head at that stage?
We didn’t panic, we always believed we could do it. The intention was to win the game from the bench, not the start. We were prepared for Nigel and it bore fruit for us; we selected our starting 15 very carefully. Guys who normally start were on the bench. We believed.
Did you think you were going to come back?
We knew they were going to get tired. I told the guys before the game that all we had to do was to keep within touching distance: to trail by five to seven points to give ourselves a good chance to win the game. We just needed to be within reach and I think we did just that. The guys who started the match just had to lay a foundation for the substitutions to finish the job.
What was the half-time message?
Defend well and communicate within our defence. Make the right decisions at the right time. We found ourselves making wrong decisions during the first half, like mistimed passes and making inside runs instead of outside runs, where our strength lies. I also emphasised ball possession and retention because they (Nigel) also played a running game. I told the guys that we must surprise Nigel and attack from deep.
The Nigel fans were shouting and they told us we don’t belong in this league – and they were right – we don’t belong in this league – we belong up.
You were still chasing the game when you made the game-changing substitute of taking Willie Meyers off for Dustin Losch, what was the logic behind the substitution?
We needed to put a faster guy in that position, because we saw Nigel were getting tired. We needed fresh legs and, as you saw, we scored two to three quick tries after the change.
Take us through your emotions when that final whistle was blown…
It was like a dream.
When Marcus (Leonard) ran 65 plus metres and we were trailing 51-49 at that stage, I saw we had three players on the overlap and I started running in celebration.
It’s still a dream.
What would you like to say to your players for this performance and their performances throughout the season?
We showed big match temperament. We showed courage. We were the only team that had a chance against them. They were the favourites. We didn’t fear them, we had their number.
Congratulations to my players for giving it their all. I’d also like to thank our sponsors, Phakisa, for all that they’ve done in taking care of the players: doing things like booking a lodge for them, which made them look and feel professional. Phakisa made it possible for us. We worked hard – if we can increase our support for next year, we’ll become the biggest club on the East Rand. We select rugby players, not quota players.
Any comment for the team’s managing staff?
I’d like to thank the management and the rest of the coaching staff who supported me as their head coach to win a league trophy.
Last, but certainly not least, what message do you have for the Reiger Park community and the die-hard East Rand United fans?
In the last 10 to 15 minutes of the game, our fans were shouting ‘Hier kom a ding’ (here comes something). It became louder and louder and the team responded to the cry of our fans. They were great! – @SabeloBoksburg
United sets up dream final with Nigel in Merlin League
East Rand United win Merlin Legaue
