Lions can’t afford to give ball away
THREAT: HURRICANES OMINOUS AT THE BREAKDOWNS
Joburg’s Pride under pressure to pick up points from their last two games on tour.
Despite being heavily written off, competition points will be high on the Lions agenda when they confront the Hurricanes in Wellington in their Super Rugby clash today.
The Lions have collected six points from their two tour games – against the Waratahs and the Reds – but coach Swys de Bruin said the heat is starting to build as they approach the business end of the competition.
“Any win is important now because we are edging closer to the end,” said De Bruin.
“We really want to get more points on tour and we will be going full out in this game as well as the next one against the Highlanders.”
While the Barrett brothers, Beauden and Jodie, are seen as the big playmakers in the Canes side, De Bruin believes the biggest threat could come from loose forward Ardie Savea and captain and lock Brad Shields.
“The Hurricanes have a strong presence in the ruck situation, with Savea and those guys they can make any ruck ugly,” said De Bruin.
“So we will have to be clinical in our ball possession, firstly to win the ball and the protect it, they are a powerful unit so we’ll have to remain focused.”
In that regard, Lions No 8 Kwagga Smith and flanker Marnus Schoeman in his first start will have vital roles to play on the ground in tandem with the Lions hulk Malcolm Marx.
“We will have to work on various aspects we didn’t do well in the first half against the Reds,” said De Bruin.
One could almost sense that they have to be more direct after their one-off ball-carriers were effectively isolated last week.
“We specifically worked on our intensity and our ball carrying abilities and how to protect our own ball,” said De Bruin.
“And then our decision-making, because we didn’t convert our chances and didn’t execute properly.”
Kick-off: 9.35am.
We really want to get more points on tour and we will be going full out in this game...
Lions coach Swys de Bruin