Cagey Lions lie in wait
AWAY FINAL: TEAM BETTER EQUIPPED Ackers, meanwhile, looking to go out with a bang as his era draws to a close.
Captain Jaco Kriel believes the Lions will be more streetwise if they have to again play the Super Rugby final away from home. Kriel is however wary of talking about a possible final when they haven’t yet played their quarterfinal and have a bye this week.
“We won’t jump the gun as we still have to play the Sharks, and only then will we look at how the draw turns out. Then we will take it from there,” he said.
Kriel said last year’s away final was an eye-opener for most of the guys.
“I believe last year was a good experience for most of the guys. They know now how to handle it and have a routine. We know what sort of pressure awaits over there and what we have to do,” he said.
If the Crusaders don’t go down to the Hurricanes on July 15 the Lions will remain second and on course for a possible away final to the unbeaten Crusaders if they both go that far.
“I believe we will be wellequipped come the day. If you want to win the competition you have to beat the best which are the New Zealand sides who are in exceptional form,” he said.
Lions coach Johan Ackermann is taking charge of the Gloucester training sessions this week where he is heading after Super Rugby as his Lions tenure comes to an end.
“I try to soak everything in and it actually started before the break when I watched the guys playing the Test, looking at the stadium and thinking this is where everything started,” he said.
But Ackermann is hoping his last few weeks at the Lions will be what memories are made of.
“We have our goals, but hopefully I have a few more left at home. Time is starting to run out but it’s all special memories,” he said.