Lions poised to maul Crusaders
The line-out has been one of the team’s strengths
The line-out has been one of the Lions’ most potent weapons in Super Rugby, and it stands to reason that they see aerial superiority as key to their success in the final against the Crusaders on Saturday.
Lock Marvin Orie is one of the men tasked with soaring above the opposition‚ but he recognises that the peak facing them this week towers above all they’ve faced this season.
“They are a fantastic line-out team‚” Orie said yesterday about the Crusaders’ jumpers. “They’ve got two All Blacks locks. The line-out is one of their strengths‚ as is their scrum.
“We’ve got a lot of fire-power in our lineout as well. Our captain is one of the best loose forward jumpers in the country‚ and the world. We’ve got Malcolm [Marx] and we’ve got Franco [Mostert].”
The Lions do not just have the greatest line-out return in the competition‚ they are also most likely to profit from it.
They deploy their driving maul from the line-out‚ and few teams have been able to repel it effectively. They are joint top try scorers, along with the Crusaders‚ and a high percentage of those tries have come from deploying the human caterpillar as slow poison to the tryline.
The Lions’ dominance in the set pieces of late has gradually taken its toll on their opponents. All too often‚ however‚ it has been part of a rearguard action after handing the opposition the initial advantage on the scoreboard.
“We still have a few challenges. The way we’ve been starting is something that we have to address‚” acknowledged Orie.
Even when they have fallen behind, the Lions have played with assurance and belief.
After a mid-season slump, the timing of the return of some experienced hands has helped their cause immeasurably. “A lot of the guys coming back from injuries have been fantastic for us.
Orie said: “Malcolm‚ Warren‚ Aphiwe [Dyantyi] and Courtnall [Skosan]. I think Elton [Jantjies] is playing fantastic rugby as well. We got a few key players back.
“The composure they bring to the team is fantastic.”
The opportunity to play in a Super Rugby final is something that a few years back looked well out of Orie’s reach.
“The move to the Lions was the best thing I could have done for my [rugby] career. I’m grateful to be part of this team,” said Orie.