Lions Orie excited to welcome Stormers
When it was put to him that the unbeaten and bang in-form Stormers are salivating at the prospect of coming to Ellis Park on Saturday‚ Lions lock Marvin Orie said: “Does that mean they are excited? Then ‘exciting’ for us is an understatement.”
Orie said it had been a tough couple of days for the Lions. “Our coaches have been working us hard. It is now up to the players to bring the excitement come 3pm on Saturday.”
Orie is as versed at getting under the opposition’s skin as he is throwing his weight around in the tight loose.
The lock is perhaps at his best riling South African opposition, but stressed that his motivation before each game remained the same.
“In South African derbies there is something different to playing the overseas teams.
“I’m not saying there isn’t motivation playing overseas teams, but this is a derby. The Stormers have been playing well and we’re on an upward curve‚ so it is exciting.”
On that score, the reputations in the opposing team matter little to him.
“I think, as a rugby player when you start to measure yourself and motivate yourself depending on who you are playing against‚ you are venturing into dangerous territory‚” he said when asked about the prospect of playing against a Galactico such as Pieter-Steph du Toit.
“That doesn’t really change for me.”
Though the Lions eked out a win against the Reds last weekend‚ they have a few areas that require urgent revision.
The scrum is the most pressing need‚ but they also lost the odd line-out‚ albeit in very greasy conditions.
“We strive for 100% in the line-outs every week. Will we get it? I don’t think so. But we strive for it,” said Orie.
Fullback Andries Coetzee contends much of last week’s splutter against the Reds was due to the weather throwing them a curve ball.
“We are hoping for a sunny day on Saturday‚” he said optimistically. That way the Lions may be able to play a quick tempo game and increase their chances of becoming the first team to record points against the Stormers this season.