Two-try wing hero Rio Dyer has paid tribute to the Rodney Parade faithful for cheering Dragons RFC onto derby day success admitting: “We can’t thank you enough.”
Dyer links up with Wales this week on the crest of a wave having scored two thrilling tries during the 32-25 BKT United Rugby Championship victory over the Ospreys at Rodney Parade.
Early in the second half, Dyer showed his finishing prowess as he dived in one-handed at the corner after a lovely in-out shimmy.
Then, four minutes from time, came the game’s pivotal moment. With Dragons down to 13 men after a double sin-binning, he made a great read, plucking Nicky Smith’s pass out of the pair to pull off the interception and race home from 60 metres.
Reflecting on the bonus point victory, Dyer was quick to point to the impact of the crowd had on proceedings.
“To get a home derby win is amazing, but I don’t think we could have done it without the crowd,” said the 22-year-old from Rogerstone.
“What they bring to us boys, the chants, everything, it just gives us that extra boost. You can’t thank the fans enough.
“The atmosphere was unbelievable. I looked at the clock after about 60 minutes and my legs had gone, but the crowd just gives you that extra boost. You’re doing it for them.
“We were disappointed last week (losing to Cardiff), we should have got a result,” he added.
“So, we came out, worked hard, and put on a performance. Everyone was incredible and we kept our composure.”
Dyer links up with Wales this week for the autumn internationals against New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and Georgia.
It won’t be Dyer’s first time in camp as he was one of a group of young players called up before this summer’s tour of South Africa to bolster training numbers and appear in a warm-up match.
“That week and a half was definitely an eye opener to what’s in store,” he said.
“It gave me that little extra boost of thinking how I need to develop my game to be at that top level, to be able to be at the Principality Stadium and put in performances.
“I’ve watched a lot of the boys in the squad growing up, seen them on the TV when I was a kid in my teenage years. It’s a case of realising I am now in the situation I have been watching.
“When I went in there in the summer, it wasn’t like I felt uncomfortable. Everyone was welcoming.
“They were kind to me even though I was just a visitor. They are a good bunch of boys and make you feel welcome.”
On the challenges that lie ahead over the next month, he said: “It’s obviously going to be high intensity, but it’s also about doing the little things well consistently. That’s what sets you apart. You can do it once or twice, but you have to keep doing it throughout the 80 minutes.
“It’s all about becoming the best player I can. It’s just striving for that. I am still young, so I have still got loads to learn.
“These couple of weeks will be that opportunity to take that straight into my stride. The camp will make me learn a lot of things.
“It would be amazing to get a cap, but the only way I am going to do that is by bettering myself. It will come when I am ready.”
What they bring to us boys, the chants, everything, it just gives us that extra boost... You can’t thank the fans enough... The atmosphere was unbelievable...
