Lions need to pounce on Blues
Ackermann’s team need to take advantage of their hosts high risk, low reward style of play in their bottom of the log clash in Auckland
THEY’VE lost three on the trot but have shown against the Hurricanes, Sharks and Stormers they can stand up physically to the best in the Super Rugby competition. It’s now a matter of being mentally tough, too.
The Lions will feel they should have won their two home games so far – against the Hurricanes and Stormers – after dominating those contests, so while we’re only in week four there will be a feel- ing that already they’re behind the eight-ball.
And now Johan Acker- mann’s charges have to contemplate a four-week trip in Australasia, starting with the Blues on Saturday.
If the Lions are to have a chance of getting their first win they’re going to have to put behind them the disappointments of the last three weeks, but making matters just a little more tricky is the fact the Blues are just as desperate as the Lions.
It’s a bottom-of-the-table clash, with the sides the only ones yet to register a win this year. The Blues have lost to the Chiefs, Stormers and Cheetahs – their last game in Bloemfontein one they’ll feel they should have won.
Ackermann knows his team will be up against a side that is hurting right now.
“I’ve said from the start of the competition any team can beat any other team this year. There’s far greater balance in the sides and not much between them.
“The Blues’ matches haven’t gone their way, but they’re a quality side, with a strong pack and dangerous runners at the back. They’ll be desperate to also win this weekend.
It’s going to be a big contest, especially in the opening exchanges,” said Ackermann yesterday.
But, because of the Blues’ eagerness to run from all parts and at times throw risky passes – as seen against the Cheetahs last weekend – they will always give opposition team’s opportunities to turn over ball and counter-attack.
“There will always be a chance against them,” said Ackermann. “I know if we can get ahead by half-time, the pressure will be on them in the second half.”
Both teams will also be fully aware that the last time they met – in Joburg last year – it was the Lions who came out on top, winning 39-36.
Unfortunately, for Ackermann he’s had to change his front row – so impressive again against the Stormers – after Schalk van der Merwe picked up a stomach virus on the team’s arrival in New Zealand earlier this week.
In his place comes Corné Fourie, the Pumas prop who made such big strides last season and again has impressed off the Lions bench in 2015.
Ackermann said it was an opportunity for the youngster to stake a claim for the No 1 jersey.
“He has shown he can make a difference when he comes off the bench; now he needs to show us what he can do from the start.”
The only other change is at scrumhalf where Ross Cronjé returns at the expense of Faf de Klerk.