Hungry Lions call on young flyers to bury Brumbies under tries
THE Lions have made their intentions known ahead of facing the Brumbies in a Super Rugby match at Ellis Park on Saturday: they want to score more tries.
Coach Swys de Bruin’s men lead the way in the competition for number of tries scored (58) – 17 more than the next best SA team, the Bulls – but they’re still not satisfied.
Following their disappointing tour of Australasia where they only won their first game – 29-0 against the Waratahs in Sydney – and lost to the Reds, Hurricanes and Highlanders, De Bruin has opted to bring new energy to the team.
For tomorrow’s match he’s picked flyers Sylvian Mahuza and Madosh Tambwe on the wings, and inside them rookie Aphiwe Dyantyi will get a run for the first time in midfield. Next to him will be attack-minded powerhouse Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
“Lionel Mapoe has a bit of a groin injury and Harold Vorster has the flu so we’re going with these guys this week. We want to have a go and get some more tries in the bag,” said De Bruin.
“We scored a lot of tries on tour, even though we didn’t win as much as we would have liked, but we want to keep scoring tries.
“I’m excited about Aphiwe at 13; it’s a position he loves and has played in before. He’s a massive talent and our plan will be to get the ball to him as often as possible on Saturday,” added the Lions boss, who up to now has only used Dyantyi on the wing.
Also back in the mix is No 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, while on the bench scrumhalf Ross Cronje is back to add depth.
“It’s great having Ross back after so long,” said De Bruin about the Springbok scrumhalf who missed the tour to Australasia. “He’s a leader in the team and will help relieve the pressure that had built up in that position.”
The Lions are desperate to hit back at home after copping three defeats in a row in Australasia and allowing the other teams in the SA conference to catch up.
But De Bruin isn’t too concerned about what’s gone down lately.
“This is a tough competition where anyone can beat everyone on a day. If you’d told me at the beginning of the competition that in week 12 or 13 we’d have 31 points and be conference leaders I’d have taken it. I’m happy where we are at the moment. We’re in the fight and that’s all that matters.”
Flyhalf Elton Jantjies will make his 100th Super Rugby appearance tomorrow after making his debut in 2011.
Meanwhile, regular captain and No 8 Warren Whiteley is yet to be considered for action after aggravating a knee injury on the eve of the team’s departure to Australasia five weeks ago.
According to De Bruin, Whiteley is “around the corner” from playing again. “We hope it’s soon,” said the Lions boss.
Kick-off tomorrow is 5.15pm.