Lions must up game to snare Jaguares

The Lions will have to produce more than their A-game if they are going to get a maiden Super Rugby win in Argentina against the Jaguares on Saturday night, coach Swys de Bruin said.

The Lions kick off their campaign in Buenos Aires‚ a city where they have tasted defeat in all three of their previous meetings.

“They are a very‚ very good team. We will have to take our A-plus game if we want to beat them‚” De Bruin said on the eve of his team’s late departure via São Paulo on Wednesday morning.

Given their defeats in the Argentine capital, the Lions opted to change things up in their preparations and by flying out later than usual they are hoping to re-enact historical precedent that has worked for them.

“The big change is that we are flying on a Wednesday and not a Saturday or Sunday as done previously.

“We finished practising the bulk of our stuff at home‚” De Bruin‚ who suggested that previously the Lions were not afforded the privacy they would have liked, said.

“In the past we practised there. It was difficult because people would stand and watch.

“You feel as if you are under the magnifying glass. We decided to finish everything here. We will have a light flush-out session there on Thursday.”

Flying closer to kick-off has in recent times paid off for the Lions.

“Last year, we also flew out later when we went to play the Waratahs‚” De Bruin about the Lions’ 29-0 win said.

“The big thing is if you do your homework on a Monday and a Tuesday and then fly over then you would have ticked all the boxes.

“That’s why we’ll again give it a go‚” De Bruin said.

However, he admitted the losing two forwards in the build-up to the game was far from ideal.

Flanker Kwagga Smith was ruled out through injury.

“We also lost Stephan Lewies with a pectoral muscle injury. The doctor told us they’ll both be ready to play against the Stormers.” –