Lions forwards must lead the way
They have a tough task in front of them against the starstudded Stormers
THE Emirates Lions, still rusty in their first match of the season, revealed a belly of steel in the second half and showed some mettle, despite suffering an opening loss against the Sharks.
And that iron- clad resolve will be of the utmost importance, especially upfront, when the Johannesburgbased side play the Stormers this Saturday ( kick- off 7pm).
The Stormers boast a galaxy of stars in their forward- pack, including the likes of World Cup winners Steven Kitschoff, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, and skipper Siya Kolisi, while Scarra Ntobeni, Salmaat Moerat, Juarno Augustus and JD Schickerling are waiting in the wings to show off their prowess. Mercifully for the Lions, they won’t have to deal with World Rugby Player of the Year, Pieter- Steph du Toit, who will miss the encounter as he continues his recovery from injury.
Nevertheless, it remains an intimidating line- up, whatever combination Stormers coach John Dobson chooses this week, and one that will quake the boots of even the most hardened forward pack.
There were many aspects of the Lions’ play last Friday that will require investigation and improvement: Elton Jantjies and Co were at times found wanting under the highball, while their line- outs, while solid, were unspectacular in their execution.
Their breakdown work improved as the match continued – led by the ever- growing Vincent Tshituka, and supplemented by Jaco Kriel, and generally their attacking play, missing important clinical finishing, was just above par.
On the opposite side of the same coin, their defence worked staunchly and only failed due to the brilliance of Sharks captain and World Cup hero Lukhanyo Am.
The aforementioned resolve showed a side hungry for success, and steadily believing more in themselves and their character as the encounter progressed.
And yet it was only in the scrum that the Lions enjoyed a semblance of superiority over their opposition, in spite of its final play failings, which ultimately cost them the victory. The Lions’ forward won 54% of the scrums, to the 31% won by the Sharks – according to rugbypass. com – and you’d imagine it will once again be the focus this weekend at Newlands.
Truthfully, coach Ivan an Rooyen should be confident that his charges will be able to contest during that particular set- piece this coming weekend and throughout Super Rugby Unlocked.
And even though they did initially struggle in the recent Superfan Saturday against the Stormers in that department earlier this month, there was improvement in that outing as well, and this Saturday they can go into the match- ups with the conviction that they can compete.
This past Friday Sti Sithole at times man- handled his opposite Thomas du Toit, while Carlu Sadie did mostly what was required of him at tighthead. Wiehahn Herbst deputised well- enough when he came on as a substitute, while the locks Willem Alberts and Marvin Orie combined with satisfactory intent as the backbone of the scrum.
They will all have to put in a massive shift this weekend if they are to subdue what will be arguably the most illustrious forward pack of the tournament.
Building a solid foundation, upon which the glimpsed confidence of the Lions can flourish into its full potential, will go a long way to securing the necessary platform to attack the gainline.
There can be no doubt, however, that whoever Van Rooyen chooses today in his team to face the Stormers, will have to be at their absolute best to overcome an impressive Stormers side packed with galacticos.
There can be no rust, or hint of oxidation, when the Lions finally do pack down against them.