Lions bank on Kwagga’s X-factor
ACKERMANN: SOME SIDES WANT TO MAKE A STATEMENT
Coach makes five changes to his team to take on the Force.
The Lions are bracing themselves to become a target for teams Down Under wanting to make a Super Rugby statement. Lions coach Johan Ackermann, who yesterday named five changes to his team to face the Western Force in Perth tomorrow, said they are geared for such an approach.
“We know we are facing sides who want to make a statement like the Kings when talk of relegation emerged,” said Ackermann.
“And we are playing two sides (the Force and the Rebels) whose names have specifically been mentioned as possible candidates to fall out, so they won’t lack motivation, they will come for us.”
The Lions recalled their firstchoice front row, named flank Kwagga Smith in the place of the injured Jaco Kriel, while at scrumhalf Faf de Klerk will start with Ross Cronje being rested nursing a sore leg.
In the final change, Sylvian Mahuza starts at rightwing in the place of Madosh Tambwe who returned to the SA Under-20 squad.
Captain Warren Whiteley will star in his 75th Super Rugby match.
“It’s not difficult to motivate or prepare this team, any tour is always difficult but it’s about us and our performance and the guys will pride them on that,” Ackermann said.
“We have our own goals we want to achieve, so we won’t focus too much on the opposition. We are professional and respect all our opponents.”
While Kriel’s knee injury is a big loss to the side, Ackermann is excited at what Smith could add to the Lions game.
“The injury to Jaco opens up the door for Kwagga to start,” said Ackermann. “He brings a lot of experience from Sevens and is a good player in his own right.
“He has that X-factor in the loose and plays towards the ball, while Cyle Brink comes on to the bench and he had a massive season in Super Rugby last year.
“Cyle was in a lot of the games and can play six and seven and bring a lot of uniqueness in his style of playing,” Ackermann said.