Newport looking to get off the mark as they face All Whites

TY Morris was away last weekend as reigning champions Newport were beaten for the second game in a row at the start of the defence of the Super Rygbi Cymru title.

- ROB COLE

But now the Black & Ambers head coach is back in situ he is not panicking over the loss of his side’s opening two games.

He would, however, like a win against Swansea today.

“There are no panic stations because we've lost our first two games. We aren’t far away and we're creating chances, so I’m feeling quite comfortable,” said Morris.

“Maybe other teams are raising their game against us because we are the champions.

“What I do know is that a number of other clubs have got stronger and are better prepared for this season than last.

“The SRC is tougher now than it was, although our processes, training methods and game plan haven’t changed.

“We just need to settle back into what we became used to doing last season.”

As well as missing their head coach last weekend in the 28-24 defeat at Aberavon, Newport were also without their inspirational skipper Ben Roach.