Lions will have to do it all again
ORIE: WE MUST FINISH THE JOB AGAINST THE CHEETAHS
De Bruin’s ‘kids’ within touching distance of semifinal.
They have their foot in the door but this weekend they have to finish the job against the Cheetahs, according to Golden Lions lock Marvin Orie. Orie was named Man-of-theMatch in last Sunday’s 29-20 Currie Cup win over Western Province, but to qualify for the semifinals they will have to repeat their heroics on Saturday.
“The boys worked very hard to get the result and hopefully we can take the momentum forward from here,” said Orie.
Orie, who was born in Cape Town 24 years ago and went to Tygerberg High School, played for the SA Under-20s in 2012 and 40 games for the Blue Bulls from 2012 to 2016, before joining the Lions family at the end of last year.
And Orie believes head coach Swys de Bruin’s youth policy is starting to reap rewards.
“We have got a lot of youngsters in the side, but that’s just a reflection of what is happening at the Lions,” he said.
“We were obviously very happy with the result, but we have to work hard again this weekend, though.”
The hand of forward coach Victor Matfield was obvious as Orie destroyed the Province lineout.
“It’s always tough against Western Province, they are a real quality side,” he said.
And after the rain and hail storm it was the Lions who kept their composure better.
“I think the coaches always told us to keep our focus as it could possibly rain, but we needed the result and we are all thankful to have pulled it off in the end,” he said.
Province skipper Chris van Zyl said they made life very difficult for themselves and now they have to do the job this weekend against the pace-setting Sharks.
“It was extremely disappointing, we really wanted to win there on Sunday,” said Van Zyl.
“If we still want to secure a home semifinal we simply have to beat the Sharks away from home, which will obviously be a massive challenge.”
Springbok wing Ruan Combrinck underwent shoulder surgery yesterday.