Coach bemoans ‘fine margins’
MVOVO’S INTERCEPT TRY WAS THE DIFFERENCE Whiteley’s call on kickable penalties backed by mentor.
The hopes of the Lions, finalists the past two seasons, securing a home Super Rugby play-off spot are now hanging by the thinnest of threads. While the Crusaders are assured of top position with two rounds left, there will be a fierce fight to secure the remaining seven positions ahead of the play-offs on July 20 and 21.
While they should still at least secure a wildcard spot, the Lions 31-24 defeat in Durban has thrown the door wide open with even the Australian Conference leaders the Waratahs, could move past the Lions with a win against the Sunwolves on Saturday.
But it is the surging Jaguares that the Lions should be most worried about and the only thing counting against the Argentinians is that they have a very poor record on South African soil.
Coach Swys de Bruin backed captain Warren Whiteley for turning down four kickable penalties in order to go for maul tries.
“At that stage the Sharks were on a yellow card warning for collapsing the maul so I’m supporting Wazza completely for making those calls. The big difference was really the intercept try (by Lwazi Mvovo),” said De Bruin.
“We’ll move on, take it on the chin, it was a game of margins. We are still leading the conference and have one game left, but I’ll always be proud of the boys.”
The Lions have a bye this weekend, followed by their last home game against the Bulls and could end on 46 points providing they get the full haul.
The Jaguares, on 38 points, could get 48 if they score bonus point wins at Loftus Versfeld and Durban, with the Lions hoping they would lose at least one.
The Sharks, on 32 points, could end on 42 but will have to score convincing wins at Newlands this weekend and at home to the Jaguares, and will be hoping for the Rebels to down to the Reds on Friday.
The Bulls are on 25 points and could end on 35 with a home game against the Jaguares to be followed by an away trip to Ellis Park, which likely still won’t be enough.
The Stormers on 25 points could only end on 30 but have just one game left at home this weekend against the Sharks followed by a bye and their campaign is therefore coming to an end this Saturday.