Lions ready for catfight
ORIE: EXUBERANT CHEETAHS TEAMS IS PLAYING WITH A LOT OF FREEDOM
The Golden Lions can ill-afford any kind of complacency when they host the Free State Cheetahs this afternoon in their next Currie Cup challenge at Ellis Park, despite the contrast in the two teams’ fortunes in this year’s competition.
The Lions are still unbeaten after a big win over Griquas and a narrow escape against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, while the Cheetahs have suffered three straight losses.
But after defeats of 34-12 to the Bulls and 32-0 to Western Province the Cheetahs showed plenty of fight before going down 33-29 to the Sharks last weekend.
For Lions captain Marvin Orie this game presents another opportunity to take their progress one step further, while he could further develop his leadership skills after making his captaincy debut at Loftus.
“It’s a big privilege for me to captain this team,” said Orie.
“We got off to a fantastic start with two wins in a row, but we still have a few areas where we need to improve on.”
While the Lions boast experience at the back, it’s up front where youngsters like flankers James Venter and Len Massyn, as well as lock Rhyno Herbst, are busy earning their stripes, while on the bench, explosive SA Under-20 centre Wandisile Simelane is a star in the making.
But Orie echoed the sentiments of his coach Ivan van Rooyen this week by saying the Cheetahs players are playing with the exuberance of young players and they are playing with freedom, while the Lions at times were poor on defence at Loftus.
“Most of our training sessions have centred around the areas where we have struggled in the last game against the Blue Bulls,” said Orie.
The lock admitted he hasn’t captained a side in a while, at least not since his junior days at Blue Bulls.
“But I’m a relaxed kind of guy and captain, while it’s fantastic for me to have guys like Lionel (Mapoe), Courtnall (Skosan) and Andries (Coetzee),” he said.
“They make it much easier for me – for me it’s important to ensure my game is up there and that I lead by example.”
Kick-off: 4.20pm.