Van Rooyen enthused as Lions produce fine away win
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen praised his team’s fight and work rate after they recorded a stunning 38-14 United Rugby Championship (URC) away win over Connacht in Galway on Saturday.
The Lions delivered arguably one of their finest away wins in their history and they did so with just 14 players after tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye was red-carded in the 16th minute, seemingly condemning the visitors to defeat.
Lock Darrien Landsberg’s departure in the 10th minute came as a setback but the Lions showed remarkable resolve to beat the team that started the weekend in seventh place on the points table.
The Lions ran in six tries through No 8 Francke Horn, who scored twice, loose forward JC Pretorius, centre Erich Cronje, wing Edwill van der Merwe and scrumhalf Morne van den Berg.
Flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse added four conversions.
Van Rooyen was delighted with his team’s graft and resolve.
“To see the fight, work rate, the effort; we spoke about how proud Connacht are in their work rate and effort. To see the guys having a crack in the 80th minute was awesome,” the coach said.
Van Rooyen had to scratch his head about who should make way for the Lions to have a full complement’in Ntlabakanye s banishment, the scrum after but he remained upbeat.
“From the beginning I felt we were in it with a bit of momentum and the offloads that stuck.”
What also helped the Lions’ cause was that the usually frigid Galway weather did not unleash its full might during the match.
“It was dry, which we didn’t expect but it was chilly. The wind was strong. To get the win was a blessing.”
The win advanced the Lions from 11th to eighth on the log, which gives them a fighting chance of securing a spot in the quarterfinals.
“We knew coming into these two URC games we had to get as many points as possible,” Van Rooyen said.
“It is so congested on the log. There is obviously a bit of belief
after a win like this. It is important for us to enjoy tonight, reset then travel to Wales.”
The Lions play the Ospreys in Swansea on Saturday. —