Defensive woes are ‘no quick fix’
MONGALO: LIONS’ SYSTEM WILL TAKE A WHILE TO SETTLE
Orie, Fourie set to win fitness battle and face the Cheetahs.
With defence almost taking a back seat during their Currie Cup campaign, Golden Lions defence coach Joey Mongalo said yesterday the reality is so much more complex than what meets the eye.
The Lions have scored 14 tries in their two wins over Griquas and the Blue Bulls but also conceded 10, five in each game.
“If we look at the bigger picture, and how rugby should be played, everyone wants to see big scores like that, but if I talk about defence coaches all around the world, you don’t want to see scores like that,” he said.
“Over a time you would hope the energy and synergy would work better, when Hans Coetzee was here he used to say the tackle is king.”
Mongalo added that they have been studying the Cheetahs this week on how they managed to make the Sharks sweat last weekend with their second-string outfit.
“The Cheetahs will have a lot of hunger and desire being their second side, a guy like (flyhalf) Louis Fouche has quite a boot on him and he is experienced,” he said.
“He has had Super Rugby campaigns with the Bulls and a key part of their make-up and we will have to be aware of that.”
Conceding various turnovers from counter-rucks last weekend against the Bulls, Mongalo said people look at that and ask what’s wrong with their defence.
“But it’s a breakdown thing as each team attack you differently. It’s a wisdom we will take into the next game with us as others would have seen the Bulls getting some reward from that.”
Mongalo said because they work in a system with a lot of youngsters they are trying to see where those tries originate from. All four of the Bulls’ tries in the first half was when they had the ball in hand but couldn’t exit.
“One of the areas is the tackle rate but then a defensive system takes a while to settle. We have only had two games.”
The Lions reported yesterday that captain Marvin Orie and hooker Corne Fourie both suffered concussion last weekend but are expected to be ready, while prop Johannes Jonker has an arm injury and will have to undergo a late fitness test.