Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Final Is Like Playing The First Game Of The Season

 

Vodacom Bulls fullback and playmaker Willie Le Roux believes Saturday's URC final at Croke Park at 18:00 (SA Time) will be close and said his advice to the younger players this week is to treat the final like any other game this season.

"Finals are decided by fine margins, whether it’s home or away, they come down to one moment, one mistake or one piece of individual brilliance. Everyone says it’s mission impossible, but we’ll have to wait and see."

"I just try and advise the younger guys, telling them it is like playing the first game of the season."

"You might lose a few battles, but you might also win them. That’s just the little things I try and tell the guys."

"Do not put it (the final) on a pedestal and make it that much bigger. Then you will go into your shell and won’t want to try stuff and run from your own half."

"We got here by taking chances, if we see an opportunity, we take it, and that’s what you must do in these big games as well, whether you make a mistake or not."

"Try and get your hands on the ball and do as much as you can. Try getting yourself in as many battles and have no doubts afterwards."

"It’s about putting yourself in as many battles as possible. And if you lose a battle, it’s about getting back up and putting yourself into another one, and having no doubts afterwards."

"We’ve enjoyed ourselves this season, playing for one another. It’s gotten us to the final, and it’s about doing the same thing that we’ve been doing the whole season. There’s no need to put additional pressure on ourselves, we’re playing for our brothers and our friend that we lost."

"Retiring his Cornal Hendricks jersey this season, having Moodie play in the No. 24 jersey and the photos of Hendricks on our numbers, reminds us who we are playing for. I think everyone here knows our bigger purpose, so now it’s about going out there and doing it and not just talking about it."