De Bruin Salutes Lions pack
DE BRUIN: FORWARDS ARE OUR BREAD AND BUTTER
Seven tries to four tells the story in Loftus Versfeld romp.
The Lions’ abrasive pack of forwards are their “bread and butter”, enthused coach Swys de Bruin after their comprehensive 49-35 Super Rugby win in the much-anticipated Jukskei derby over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The Lions maintained their unbeaten run after three matches and top of the standings on both the SA Conference and the overall table, albeit with a game in hand.
“We have said over the last few years we can only play the game we want to play if the tight phases are good,” said De Bruin.
“It’s your bread and butter and I must say on Saturday the bread and butter was good and we could score some nice tries.”
The foundation for the win was laid with two maul tries after lineouts early in the match by props Ruan Dreyer and Jacques van Rooyen, while a third followed in the second half by Man-of-theMatch Malcolm Marx. In the end the Lions outscored the Bulls by seven tries to four after being awarded one penalty try.
“Three of the tries were maul tries and gives the pack a lot of character and confidence,” he said.
But to the Bulls’ credit they stayed in touch with three penalties by flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff, while tries either side of half-time saw them draw level 21-21 shortly after the interval. But two yellow cards to prop Conrad van Vuuren and flank Nick de Jager in quick succession left the hosts vunerable and the visitors cashed in to all but kill off the contest.
“It was nerve-wracking to come to Loftus – they wait for you here,” said De Bruin.
“But I have the backing of some great coaches and have the backing of Captain Fantastic (Warren Whiteley) and he hates it when I say that, but it’s true.
“Hats off to coach Philip (Lemmer, forward coach) and (flank) Franco Mostert for executing the mauls so well it was part of the plan and it went well.
“But we will have to work on our mistakes, there were definitely quite a few things we can work on, especially in those last 10 minutes.”
The Lions’ next take on the Blues at home on Saturday, while the Bulls face the Reds in their match on the road in Brisbane.