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Rugby

Keith Wood pessimistic about South African Pro14 sides chances of improving any time soon

Last weekend, Leinster became the first of the Irish provinces to experience an away trip to Sout...



Keith Wood pessimistic about S...
Rugby

Keith Wood pessimistic about South African Pro14 sides chances of improving any time soon

Last weekend, Leinster became the first of the Irish provinces to experience an away trip to South Africa when they faced Southern Kings at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

The South African sides have struggled away so far and it wasn't much different at home as Leinster came away from that match with a 31-10 win.

Next up for Leo Cullen's side on Friday is a match against Cheetahs and from the six matches so far for the two new additions to the Pro14, there has been just one win for the South African sides and a combined minus 131 points difference.   

Keith Wood pessimistic about South African Pro14 sides chances of improving any time soon

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Speaking on Wednesday Night Rugby alongside The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley, former Ireland captain Keith Wood told us that he agreed with former Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan's point that bringing in Cheetahs and Southern Kings into the fold had come too quickly.

"I think Eddie's point is correct that it was rushed and that people could see the merit of having them in but not in after meeting three or four weeks before the start of the season," he said, before continuing.

"Not after the Kings had disbanded their team. They were gone and out of existence for two weeks and then they had to start again from scratch and then go and play. That's a hard call for them and they're going to suffer and I think Gerry said we'll see them getting better over the year. I'm not so sure about the Kings. I think it's a makeshift team from players that don't play Super Rugby and they're going to suffer and suffer quite badly for the year.

"Cheetahs, once they're not playing two competitions, they may be better but they'll also be tired and the idea of trying to play two competitions over a two month period of time is going to be very, very taxing on their resources in the months immediately after that. So I think it's rushed, it's uncomfortable to watch."

However, he did feel the Pro 12 "needed some energy" and a "bit of a boost" and "additional revenues coming in".

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