Beware wounded Bulls
CRONJE: I REALLY THINK THEY’RE GOING TO BE DANGEROUS THIS WEEKEND
Awounded bull is a dangerous animal, and the Golden Lions will not take their opponents lightly in today’s Trans-Jukskei Currie Cup derby at Ellis Park, according to captain Ross Cronje.
While the Lions received a setback this week with the news that No 8 Warren Whiteley was not yet ready to return from his knee injury, which could be a final blow to his World Cup dreams, they were given a boost on the sidelines following the extension of flyhalf Elton Jantjies’ contract by a further two years.
The high-flying Lions remain unbeaten after three matches in the Currie Cup campaign, while Pote Human’s Blue Bulls have won just one of their four fixtures thus far.
Cronje, however, insisted their recent results could not be used as a yardstick against the Bulls.
“I really think they are going to be dangerous this weekend,” Cronje said.
“They made a couple of changes and those guys will want to stick up their hands and they will be hungry, so we are expecting a very tough battle.
“It’s not going to be easy but hopefully we can come out on top.”
The Bulls announced six changes to their team and named scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl as captain
ahead of the clash, while the Lions unveiled three changes to their side.
With the Lions having relied on comeback victories in their last three matches, Cronje cautioned that they could not hope for another late escape, though he admitted it had not been a prearranged plan of action.
“We try to determine the opposition’s weaknesses and get messages from up top, which has been helping with the comebacks,” he said.
“But we would like to keep it to a level playing field until we get into our momentum.”
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen does not believe the Bulls would be a soft target at scrum time, despite being forced to move tighthead Dayan van der Westhuizen to the loosehead because of injury.
“I think they are a very proud scrumming union, while we have spent a lot of time on our scrum,” Van Rooyen said.
“So one scrum doesn’t make or break you, but we just want to keep improving and I think it will be a good scrum battle.”