Lions treading lightly
SUNWOLVES: WE HAVEN’T BEATEN THEM YET, CAUTIONS COACH ACKERMANN
Joburg’s Pride out to secure 11th straight win to move within touching distance of Crusaders on overall Super Rugby log.
Arriving with the wrong mental attitude at Ellis Park this afternoon against the Sunwolves in their Super Rugby clash would be the worst mistake the Lions could make.
Even though the Lions are alongside the Crusaders the two top dogs in the competition, Lions coach Johan Ackermann said they will have to be mentally in the right place.
“Yes, the Boks have won the series against the French, but we haven’t won Super Rugby and we haven’t beaten the Sunwolves this year yet,” he said.
With 10 Boks in their starting lineup the Lions are still expected to cruise to their 11th straight win, but Ackermann said it is necessary not to belittle the Sunwolves, who will be captained by former Lions No 8 Willie Britz.
“The reality is that as a team they like to play at a high intensity,” Ackermann cautioned.
“So we have to keep it up for 80 minutes, their players won’t lack motivation playing against a side leading the conference.”
Ackermann said they have a process in place where the returning Boks have been managed to create a smooth transition.
“But when you analyse the Sunwolves they can score tries even though defensively they had a few problems,” he said.
“But if we arrive with the wrong attitude and don’t respect them, they can punish you.”
Flank and captain Jaco Kriel, who has taken over the leadership from the injured Warren Whiteley, put all his faith in Ruan Ackermann, who is replacing Whiteley at No 8.
“We won’t change much of our team dynamics in regard with the way we want to play with Warren not there,” said Kriel.
“Ruan brings different expectations and he is a dynamic player in his own right, but personally I might have to play more to the ball,” said Kriel, who captained the Golden Lions to Currie Cup glory in 2015.
A bonus-point win today will see the Lions close the gap on the Crusaders on the overall log to two points, with both teams having one match left. The Crusaders face the Hurricanes in Wellington in their final group match, while the Lions travel to Durban to face the Sharks in two weeks’ time.
In the curtain-raiser the Golden Lions will host the Pumas in the quarterfinals of the SuperSport Challenge. Kickoff: 5.15pm. Also see Page 46.