Snook says Simbas repechage squad is ‘taking shape’

The national rugby 15s head coach Ian Snook says his team taking shape despite a few knocks sustained during Saturday’s friendly match against Romania A in Bucharest.

Snook admitted the Simbas had been rusty as they went down 36-5 at the Ghencea Sports Complex in the Romanian capital ahead of their World Cup repechage match against Canada on Sunday.

“I would suggest the knocks happened because it was the first hard hit out for some players since August when we played in the Africa Gold Cup,” Snook told Citizen Digital.

In his assessment, the New Zealander said the test clash was overall beneficial to the team and added they had enjoyed two successful training sessions in Steaua Bucharest afterwards.

“It was a good exposure in Romania and it would have been better if we had about three or four of these games under our belt.

“The defence is much improved, the backline is showing plenty of promise but we have sort out the set pieces beginning with the scrum.”

Simbas are currently at the Bucharest airport and will fly to Marseille via Frankfurt ahead of their World Cup repechage round robin tournament against Canada, Germany and Hong Kong.