‘Bulls not easy meat’
DERBY: HIGH-FLYING LIONS APPROACH WOUNDED NEIGHBOURS WITH CAUTION
Whiteley’s charges boast an impressive home record, racking up nine wins on the trot at Ellis Park.
It’s unrealistic to ever take a team lightly in Super Rugby especially if that team happens to be the wounded Bulls, is the timely warning from Lions captain Warren Whiteley.
The Bulls are experiencing a dismal run, while the Lions have returned from a ground-breaking tour and have racked up 10 wins in 11 matches and have been unbeaten in their last nine games at Ellis Park.
“As soon as you think you are on top, a team that lies below you on the log can topple you and as a player you need to keep your feet grounded,” said Whiteley.
Just that makes the Bulls a potential banana peel at the Lions’ den this afternoon where in the excess of 35 000 people are expected.
“It basically comes down to you not underestimating anyone in this competition,” Whiteley said.
“I don’t need to mention what we have seen over the last couple of rounds, anything can happen.”
While the Lions have gamebreakers like centre Lionel Mapoe, wing Courtnall Skosan and flyhalf Elton Jantjies, Whiteley believed a big forward battle is synonymous with playing the Bulls.
While the Lions trashed the Bulls 56-20 at Loftus last year, one could expect the Bulls to be more streetwise about what makes the Lions machine tick.
“There are some members of our squad who have been where they are now and it’s difficult,” said Whiteley.
The Bulls have given left wing Sibahle Maxwane a debut while on the right wing Jade Stiglingh only made his debut last week, but experienced Bok centre Jan Serfontein has been around the block.
In the pack the Bulls also have enough firepower in captain Hanro Liebenberg, lock Lood de Jager and tighthead Trevor Nyakane.
“They are going to fight and we know that, they will be determined and we know they have quality players all around the park,” said Whiteley. “It’s going to be a helluva game and that’s what we expect.”