Both those attributes come to the fore as he issues one last rallying cry to ‘Team Ponty’ in the lead up to the last, and the biggest game of the season, tonight at Sardis Road in the Premiership Play-Off final against Llanelli (KO 7.35pm).
A historic league and cup double is the glittering prize that is within touch following eight hard months of competitive rugby, with the one remaining task of overcoming an in form Llanelli team in the Premiership Play-Off Final.
The magnitude of the challenge is not lost on the Ponty head coach. “This is a big game to look forward to, it has all the ingredients of being a classic” said McIntosh.
“Both teams like to play at tempo and are attack minded. We are hoping that the balance of forward power and the ability to put width into our game will see us through. Llanelli come into the match on a high, and it could go down to the toss of the proverbial coin in rugby terms, right to the wire.”
This will be a fourth close encounter between the two adversaries this season, with Ponty so far having won the previous three, home and away in the league, and home in the British & Irish Cup quarter final. As McIntosh appreciates, previous form will count for little on the night.
“The three matches against Llanelli have been real tough battles. We have played consistently well through the season, while Llanelli are a team capable of raising their performance for the big occasion.
“We are confident of our ability – yes, and know that if we play our “A Game” then we have the capabilities to win, but never losing our awareness of the threat that Llanelli pose.”
In issuing his battle cry to ‘Team Ponty’ McIntosh does so not only to his players on the pitch, but to the loyal band of supporters who have given their backing throughout the season, and to the wider Valley communities beyond.
“The Ponty support has been phenomenal this season” said McIntosh “and will be again in the Play-Off Final. That support extends beyond the thousands who will be present at the ground, to those watching on their TV sets in Pontypridd and in the towns and villages up and down the Valleys.
“These are the communities that have produced our players and which our players represent. That widespread support will be channelled into the crowd at Sardis Road on Thursday night, loud and passionate. It means a lot to us and hopefully we can repay that loyalty with a winning performance.”
