Head Coach Filo Tiatia hailed the Rodney roar a partisan home support inspired his Dragons to a dramatic 38-26 victory over Scarlets in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Elliot Dee (2), Anzelo Tuitavuki, Rodrigo Martinez, Huw Anderson and Robert Hunt ensured maximum points for a topsy turvy game were the lead repeatedly switched hands.
Roared on by 7,163 fans the Men of Gwent got the job done and Tiatia was delighted with the way the fans and players combined to secure a crucial victory.
“You could hear the crowd and they were fantastic,” he stated.
“They love this group of men, but also this group of men want to play for their fans.
“It was awesome watching our Gwent people go to work with their voices. They inspired the group to stay in it.
“I was pleased with the second half,” he added. “I felt we applied a lot of pressure and had all the possession and territory in the first half, but we were releasing it and giving the ball back.
“I thought their breakdown work defensively was good, they managed to spoil our framework and foundation, we couldn’t get quick ball.
“We have learnings, but I am proud of Rhodri (Williams) with 150 games and the guys finding a way to win the game for him as well.”
Dragons now face Ospreys on home soil on Friday (October 9) and Tiatia admits his squad need to recover and regroup well as they bid to make it back-to-back home wins.
“There is lots to grow, lots to improve, but to come away with the points at home was important,” he said.
“We’ll review what we have learnt and then get ready for next week.
“Derby games are special. Now we recover well with a short turnaround, ready to go again next week.”
It was awesome watching our Gwent people go to work with their voices. They inspired the group to stay in it...
