Lions warned not to show weaknesses

Rudolph Jacobs

The Lions will have to be wary when they come up against the feisty Jaguares on Saturday in Buenos Aires in the Super Rugby competition, warned captain Warren Whiteley (above).

The Lions are due to depart for Argentina today and after backto-back wins over the Cheetahs and the Waratahs, but Whiteley said the Jaguares will be a “different kettle of fish”.

“If you give them a sniff and you show weakness they are a side that will expose that,” said Whiteley, who along with nine team-members, was still taking part in yesterday’s Bok camp at the Wanderers Rugby Club.

Last year the team lost 34-22 in Argentina fielding a weakened side.

“We saw it last year,” he said. “They got a sniff in the scrum, saw there was a weakness and exploited it.

“They are a side that will search for weaknesses so we will have to be on our toes.”

The Jaguares managed to unsettle the Stormers at Newlands last weekend with their physical approach and while they went down 32-25, they played for a period with just 13 players on the field.

“This week is a new kettle of fish. We know the Argentinians are a very physical side, scrumtime, maul-time and also rucktime,” said Whiteley.

“They are very physical and they will put you under pressure so we will have to be sharp.”

With centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg staying behind due to family bereavement, Lionel Mapoe could move inside next to Harold Vorster while Sylvian Mahuza could come in on the wing.

Whiteley said the way they start this weekend (kick-off 9.40pm) could be vital.

“They are a team that play on passion and the first 20 minutes of a game like that is very important because that sets the tone,” he said.

“That’s when they come out firing, especially playing at home.”

This week is a new kettle of fish. We know the Argentinians are a very physical side, scrum-time, maul-time and also ruck-time.

Warren Whiteley Lions captain