On the last training before the Soweto Derby

The last training was excellent. The players were sharp, there was a strategy there and the players were trying to carry it out. I hope we play as well as this, because it could be a very interesting game for us.

On the extra “noise” that comes before a Derby

If you’re a professional you have to concentrate on your aims and your objectives. We will try to have some fun while we’re doing it, but we’ve got to be able to feel the pressure, make a friend of the pressure and still give a performance.

On handling the competition for places in the Chiefs squad

It’s a difficult part of being a coach and making those decisions. You hear the media, you hear the supporters, you sometimes follow a gut feeling, rather than following your own logical thinking. But that’s part of being the head coach and then you take the plaudits. You’re wrong if it goes badly and the players are great if it goes well.

On facing Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates play a similar style no matter who the coach, no matter who the players. Their strategy is down to the coach. What we would do is tweak the normal strategy to try and get an edge on the day. I’m sure they will do that, it’s difficult for me to read that. We think we’ve prepared well, we think we’ve got a good idea of what their game plan will be, but there will certainly be things you have to solve on the field standing on your own two feet. Hopefully, we will identify that quickly, make the adjustments that are needed and get on with the game.