The message from Scarlets head coach Brad Mooar in today’s match-day programme
First of all, I’d like to thank you all for the warm welcome our family has received since arriving in the summer, it has been wonderful. The people make a location, the people make a culture and we have found everyone to be outstanding. Diolch!
The history of Llanelli and the Scarlets is known worldwide and that is something we spoke to the boys about on day one. In New Zealand we know the Carwyn James, Phil Bennetts, the Delme Thomases, the Quinnells, Ken Owens, Foxy…the list goes on. Many great men have been head coach at the Scarlets before me and I am truly grateful and honoured to be part of that story and put my shoulder to the wheel as the current custodian of the role.
This is not a one man job and I am thrilled to be able to call on a team of coaching, management, medical and performance staff who are not only outstanding at their jobs but also outstanding people. The club runs thickly through their veins and this makes coming to work even more enjoyable. We have a rich history here and I am incredibly privileged and humbled to be in this position, knowing Wayne, Stephen, Byron and Ioan have put the club in a great place. Our job is to carry on with this great work keep the Scarlets moving forward.
The players have been very engaged since I have been here; there is a great staff and the club is in a strong position. We are all extremely proud of the 15 players we now have at the Rugby World Cup in Japan and good luck to Wales in their match against Australia tomorrow.
I have been asked by many about our targets for the season. As a group we haven’t spoken about targets. What we have spoken about is winning the moment, making sure we are better today than we were yesterday and we have continued growth in all our people, that goes for staff and players alike. Ultimately, that will turn into effort, intent and execution on the field that everybody involved with the Scarlets can be proud of. Win the moments to win the games!
We want to entertain, we want goosebumps rugby with you off your seats cheering and chanting – we want to enjoy it. We also want the Scarlets to be a side that is feared home and away and you, our fans, will be a big part of making that happen. You are our 16th player every time we take the field.
We are all excited to get started against a very good Connacht side this afternoon. They are a cohesive, energised group who have enjoyed a successful pre season of results. We welcome Andy Friend and his team to Parc y Scarlets and look forward to what should be a great game of rugby.
Carpe Diem
Brad