Whiteley’s Lions sidestep the hype
FINE START: BUT SKIPPER BEMOANS THE SOFT MOMENTS
In-form Blues will provide a searching test at Ellis Park.
The Lions prefer to look at the bigger picture despite the buzz surrounding the team after their dream start to the Super Rugby competition. Winning all three of their matches so far, the Lions have collected 14 out of a possible 15 points and have already opened up a nine-point gap at the top of the South African conference.
“It’s important for us not to get caught up in all the hype and we just wanted to focus on what we wanted to do and stick to our processes,” said captain Warren Whiteley.
“Three out of three is a good start but we all know Super Rugby is not won in February or March so we just need to keep building.”
Facing their first Kiwi opposition this weekend in the form of the Blues who have produced inspiring rugby, Whiteley said despite their 49-35 win over the Bulls last weekend, they are far from the complete product.
“There’s still a lot to work on, there were times at the end where I thought we could have kept them out,” he said.
“There were one or two soft moments so there’s always things to work on. This week is another big one for us.
“It’s never easy going to Loftus. We had to fight for the victory and as forwards and we were very happy with the mauling. It set such a good platform for us.”
Whiteley also said the confirmation of Rassie Erasmus as Springbok coach will help everyone settle on their own future tasks.
“Rassie’s appointment brings clarity for everyone, but more importantly I think every single player is focused on performing at their unions first of all,” he said.
“But in general it brings clarity to South African rugby. But for now my focus is at the Lions first and foremost, performing there and contributing to the team.”