Defining match for Swys’ Lions

COACH: HIGHLANDERS A DIFFERENT PROPOSITION AT HOME

New hooker Robbie Coetzee has massive boots to fill.

The Lions could reach the crossroads of their Super Rugby campaign when they face the Highlanders in Dunedin today in their final tour game. Trying to avoid a third straight defeat on tour, the Lions’ win ratio could drop to just 50% should they go down again after losing five of their 11 games.

But Lions coach Swys de Bruin said it is important not to read too much in the Highlanders’ 38-12 loss to the Sharks in Durban last weekend.

“They are definitely a character team, they are not a good away team if you look at their record,” he said.

“But they have a brilliant record in Dunedin, so that will make the challenge so much bigger, but we are ready for that.”

While the Lions have loaded their pack with three locks to start and five props in the match 23 De Bruin said it’s important to nullify the threats of the Highlanders in the wider channels.

“The Highlanders have the All Black fullback (captain Ben Smith) and then the No 10 (Lima) Sopoaga is also an All Black even though he is not a starter, so their spine is very good,” he said.

The Highlanders might be without star All Black No 9 Aaron Smith, but on the right wing the bulldozing Waisake Naholo could be a real threat to Lions sensation Aphiwe Dyantyi.

“But we are not looking at them too much because it takes your eye off the ball. We are looking if we can get any points out of the game and then play the Brumbies next week at home,” he said.

The biggest question mark hanging over the Lions performance is whether hooker Robbie Coetzee can make up for the big loss of injured Springbok star Malcolm Marx.

“I don’t want to look for excuses but that wind was incredibly strong in Wellington, with the kicking and the handling,” said De Bruin.

“So the lineouts weren’t easy for Robbie and he hasn’t had a lot of game time and he worked very hard this week on his throw-ins, so I’m confident.”

Kick-off: 9.35am.

I don’t want to look for excuses but that wind was incredibly strong in Wellington.

Swys de Bruin Lions coach