Lions to keep ’em guessing

When you face the Lions in Super Rugby you never know quite what to expect of them or when they will tweak their versatile game plan.

This is the mindset they will take into today’s clash against the Blues at Ellis Park, said Lions backline coach Neil de Bruin.

The Lions should be wary after Blues coach Tana Umaga recalled veteran flank Jerome Kaino and named powerful All Blacks Sonny Bill Williams and Rieko Ioane in midfield.

“They played really well the last two matches, if you look at the scores, it was against really good opposition and very tight. So for us it will be a good barometer, but we have to be the best that we can be,” he said.

“It’s about winning at the end of the day and whatever it takes to get over the line, so hopefully more of the Lions brand will be great.”

After their third straight win against the Bulls last weekend, De Bruin said however they might have to tweak their approach slightly against a team like the Blues.

“Each team is different and we prepared accordingly. It’s never the same mould, so we have looked at a couple of opportunities and where we can still improve,” he said. “It’s not really major changes, but we do have different player profiles, to change a little bit to the way we play against them.”

While it was the turn of forwards like lock Franco Mostert and hooker Malcolm Marx’s last weekend, more opportunities could come the way of backs like centres Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Lionel Mapoe and electrifying young wing Aphiwe Dyantyi (above).

“The way to counter them is to not give them too much ball, not making too many mistakes. It’s about being clinical for us, not giving them opportunity to play,” said De Bruin. Kick-off: 5.15pm Also see Pages 43, 44 & 45