Backs Coach Matt O’Brien admitted that Dragons RFC’s agonising 24-22 defeat to Cardiff at a sold-out Rodney Parade on Boxing Day was a “difficult one to take”.
Dragons had led 15-0 after first-half scores from Wales internationals Aaron Wainwright and Rio Dyer however poor “discipline in the middle 30 minutes of the game” allowed Cardiff to get back into the match.
Dragons retook the lead through a try from Rhodri Williams, another who represented Wales in the Autumn internationals, however, Evan Lloyd’s late try gave Cardiff the win.
“I thought we did some good stuff in the game,” said O’Brien, “but it’s a case of so near but so far.”
“There were definitely some decisions we made around our discipline which cost us.
“The more games you win, the more of a habit it becomes. In the end it's a difficult one to lose.”
The game marked Dragons co-captain and Matt’s brother Angus’ hundredth appearance for the club, with the fly-half running out with his two children in front of a sell-out crowd before the game.
“It's a great milestone for him and obviously the family are really proud of him,” said Matt O’Brien.
“I thought he played well tonight and I’m just gutted he wasn't on the right side of the result.”
Next up, Dragons travel to a Scarlets side who also suffered a late defeat of their own at the Swansea.com stadium last Saturday.
While Dragons only have a six-day turnaround, Scarlets will have 10 days to recover, however O’Brien is sure the players will be raring to go.
“We’ll see how the boys’ bodies pitch-up on Saturday morning at training and then probably go from there,” said O’Brien.
“There’re some battered bodies in there, but there's a lot that we did that was good tonight and the boys will be really keen to get back on the field come New Year's Day.
“Against the Scarlets we’re probably going to have to get most things right if we’re going to beat them.
"There were a lot of good things which we did but there's one or two opportunities that we were really, really close to getting today which I've got in in mind.
“In the professional game, recovery is massive and if you've got a few more days to recover, then it can only be a good thing, but on the flip side of that, the boys will be champing at the bit to get back out there.
“A New Year’s Day derby is enough to get rid of anyone's aches and pains if they want to get back out there.”
There were definitely some decisions we made around our discipline which cost us. The more games you win, the more of a habit it becomes. In the end it's a difficult one to lose...
