Whiteley still wary of wounded Crusaders

13th on the combined points table at a time most would have expected the roles to be reversed.

This season the only similarity between the sides is their preference to be clad in red and black but Whiteley believes the Crusaders will eventually show their true colours.

“They may not have been up to their usual standards but they are a quality side. History tells us that sooner or later they turn the corner. We must make sure that doesn’t happen against us on Saturday.”

They are indeed master negotiators of the bend. Somehow when derailment seems imminent the Crusaders restore their campaign to the playoff track.

But the Lions have reason to be optimistic. They come off a bye while the Crusaders would have travelled from the second-most-remote Super Rugby base for visitors to Johannesburg.

Whiteley is hoping the bye did not break their stride. “We want to build on that momentum but we looked at it and saw the first six games as phase one and the second phase after the bye. We then go on tour as phase three.”

The Lions may have made a flying start but Super Rugby demands sustained effort. Whiteley wants to see that in an 80minute context. “We need more matchday consistency. We either start poorly or we let teams in at the end. We must also stop letting in soft tries,” he added.

Although he would have preferred one or two more bonus points, Whiteley is satisfied with his team’s start. The more relaxed atmosphere that coach Johan Ackermann has created has drawn a positive response from the players.

“We have a family atmosphere. We have built genuine friendships and camaraderie. You can see that on the field. What we may lack in attack and defence we make up for with the culture we have created . . . Marnitz Boshoff’s kicking at goal and our tactical kicking has helped a lot too.”