Lions expect onslaught
DE BRUIN: THE SHARKS WILL THROW EVERYTHING BUT KITCHEN SINK AT US
Both sides’ bench expected to play huge role during their much-anticipated Super Rugby clash at Ellis Park.
The Lions will have to brace themselves for anything and everything when they open their Super Rugby campaign against the recharged Sharks at Ellis Park this afternoon.
This is the opinion of Lions coach Swys de Bruin after the Sharks added new spark and unpredictability with the inclusion of wing Makazole Mapimpi and flyhalf Robert du Preez.
“The Sharks will bring a big physical battle, but apparently they have also trained with a bit of flair, so we expect anything from them,” said De Bruin.
With a crowd in the excess of 30 000 expected, the Sharks have named players like No 8 Dan du Preez, flyhalf Curwin Bosch and wing Kobus van Wyk on the bench to neutralise the Lions dreaded last-20 minute total onslaught.
But De Bruin believes in loose forwards Hacjivah Dayimani and Pumas loan player Marnus Schoeman on the bench, they have two explosive players to counter just that.
“Hacjivah is one of our great young players and deserves an opportunity,” said De Bruin. “He can play No 7 and 8 and has the pace to play wing as well, he is a good guy to have on the bench.
“Marnus is somewhere between a Jaco Kriel and a Kwagga Smith. I’m not exactly sure precisely where but I’m very excited about him being in the squad.” Skipper Warren Whiteley didn’t believe they are underdone after playing just one warm-up match.
“A lot of our senior guys have already played a lot of rugby, probably more than any of the other provinces,” he said. “Elton Jantjies has played four or five games, my- self included, Lionel Mapoe and Sous (Franco Mostert).”
Whiteley said he believes their recent pre-season game in Secunda gave him the confidence that they will hit the straps quickly.
“The Boks who played a lot of rugby the end of the year, so for us that warm-up game was really important in Secunda,” he said.
Whiteley said towards the end of that game they really started to get some good rhythm going.
“The first 20 minutes took us some time, but for 60 minutes of that game we really started to find our rhythm, hitting our straps, so preparation has really gone well,” he said. Kick-off: 5.15pm.
Rudolph Jacobs
Prop Jacques van Rooyen, one of the unsung heroes in the Lions team, has walked a long road since being plucked out of club rugby almost six years ago.
Today Van Rooyen (right) starts in his 50th Super Rugby game for the Lions against the Sharks and coach Swys de Bruin said Van Rooyen’s nickname “Policeman” was probably based on a misunderstanding.
“Jacques is typical what we stand for at the Lions,” said De Bruin. “He came here in 2012 from where he was spotted playing for Police in Pretoria.
“He said he was a “policeman” though he actually sold policies. But with his loyalty – he leads our prayer groups – it’s just fantastic to have him in our system.”
The 31-year-old Van Rooyen is very upbeat about facing the massive 130kg Thomas du Toit of the Sharks who will now only focus on tighthead.
“They have always been a good scrumming and mauling pack, so we know it’s going to be a big challenge,” said Van Rooyen, who captained the Lions in the Currie Cup last season.
“Thomas is a big, strong boy and I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a big battle.”
Van Rooyen credited the Lions’ new forward coach Philip Lemmer for making the forwards a tighter unit.
“He is very passionate, every day we get a little speech to boost us, to motivate us, and he works very hard during his off-time as well,” said Van Rooyen.
“He would talk to me and say ‘How about this, maybe we can tweak that’, it’s all about the small little details.”
Van Rooyen said it was his best career move to join the Lions family all those years ago.
“It’s just a privilege to be at this union. Great bunch of guys around you, to do the lineouts, scrumming and mauling together and they help me to look a better player,” he said.
“With guys like Malcolm Marx scrumming next to you and Warren Whiteley on the field managing everything, it’s a great calibre of players here.”