Boss Dean Ryan admitted it was not satisfied with the try bonus point win over Zebre – and urged his players to hold themselves to account to get better.
Dragons opened the Guinness PRO14 season on home soil with a 26-18 win at Rodney Parade courtesy of tries from Jordan Williams (2), Jamie Roberts and Elliot Dee.
But Ryan was left frustrated by a ’14-point’ swing before the break when the home side went from knocking on the door of the line to conceding to hand Zebre a lifeline and way back into the game.
A cagey second half ensued and although Dragons wrapped up maximum points it was another opportunity missed for Ryan.
“I’m not very satisfied,” said the Director of Dragons Rugby. “For 35 minutes we had a lot of control and some clinical moments, like the kick to the corner, when we have got to get something out of that.
“We end up under our own sticks which is remarkable. We have got to really analyse what is going on in those moments because we had them against Leinster and we had them again today.
“Although we had control of the game it forced us into a cagey game in the second half when we should be surging away.
“I think i was a game that was easy for us to move through the gears and really show what we can do in the second half.
“We keep dragging ourselves down and making it a tighter contest than it needs to be.
“We’re not satisfied and that is what we need to be if we want to keep pressure up internally,” he added.
“Twelve months ago I think we celebrated anytime something happened. Things have changed now and if this group wants to get better it needs to hold itself to account.
“Today was about us raising the bar and sadly when we got there, and the moment when the game can really swing in your favour, we weren’t able to take it.
“The try from Zebre before the break changed my half-time talk, let’s just say that.
“There were two or three things that I thought we could have done different tactically. But that was on the back of us scoring seven, taking more risk and it would have blown them away.
“But when it is a 14-point swing you have to go back zero again. You have to work hard for your yards again, it makes everyone more cautious.
“I don’t think a telling off is the right thing. But I do need to hold the attention of why it is happening because it is happening regularly and it’s not about our rugby.
“We’re two games in, we’ve got five points and I’m annoyed with five points. That sounds pretty good to me.”
Twelve months ago I think we celebrated anytime something happened... Things have changed now and if this group wants to get better it needs to hold itself to account...
