Head Coach Filo Tiatia praised his much-changed Dragons for winning ugly as they defeated Zebre Parma on home soil – and was also quick to highlight the young aces who shone under the lights.
David Richards, Anzelo Tuitavuki, Fine Inisi, Cai Evans and a penalty try ensured the Men of Gwent wrapped up a bonus point win on Halloween night.
“We are happy,” said Tiatia. “We fronted up, which was good, and a lot of young guys got exposed tonight too.
“I was happy for Brogan (Leary) who came on for a debut as an 18-year-old - he was excited around the opportunity. I thought his first carry was outstanding.
“(Sam) Scarfey played out of position, but he has got some skill sets that (Thomas) Young possesses, he hunts for the ball and is hard to move off it. I thought he was good when he came on.
“Not a young guy, but a first try in the URC for Cai Evans too, so I am super proud for him.
“There were a lot of things that were ugly. It was an ugly win, but to come away with five points we have got to be pleased.
“This result should give those young players confidence,” he added. “I challenged Evan (Minto) in the week that he was not playing Number Eight so he had a different mentality around his positional skill sets.
“It was more getting his nose in places where it shouldn’t get to. He was good.
“We had some good learnings for all the young guy who played tonight, and I am pleased with them all.”
There were a lot of things that were ugly. It was an ugly win, but to come away with five points we have got to be pleased...
