Lions not fazed by chasing pack
TRAVELLING WON’T AFFECT THE HIGHLANDERS After suffering two consecutive defeats on tour, Joburg’s Pride are desperate to sign off in style in Dunedin.
The heat is building in the South African Super Rugby Conference and the Lions are well aware that the Sharks, Stormers and Bulls are busy catching up.
But, said Lions coach Swys de Bruin yesterday, they are not allowing too much time to dwell on that before their final tour game this weekend against the Highlanders in Dunedin.
“If you are game for game looking at what the others are doing then you don’t focus on our own progress. The fact is that they are closing the gap,” said De Bruin.
“But they still have to face one another and also play against the Jaguares, so we’ll just have to ensure we get on course again.”
The coach added that after losing their last two games they could still make the tour a successful one with a win at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.
“A win against the Highlanders will make it a successful tour especially after the guts the guys showed against the Hurricanes,” he said.
“We lost that game but there were plenty of effort. That counts for a lot. We haven’t won there in their new stadium, in fact I don’t think any SA team have won there.
“But it will be a massive challenge and we are looking forward to it.”
De Bruin said however they are not looking at the travel factor as an added advantage after the Highlanders had to return from Durban last weekend.
“We only travelled shortly before the first game on tour against the Waratahs, so you can never count on that,” he said.
“But it’s amazing how that second week of the tour in SA those sides battle as well.
“We are waiting for them here and are as ready as we can be. I really don’t think their travelling will make much difference.”