Lions won’t get the travel blues
SCHEDULE: EARLY DEPARTURE FOR SYDNEY WAS IDEAL
Attempting to resurrect their season, the Lions have downplayed the challenging travel factor and dreaded jet lag ahead of their Super Rugby tour opener against the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday.
Coach Ivan van Rooyen was set to name his team today for the clash, with the Lions hoping for a bright start on tour after losing two of their three games thus far in the competition.
Van Rooyen said there were specific reasons for changing their travel arrangements compared to two years ago when they beat the Tahs 29-0 after a late departure.
“The biggest change as far as the travel arrangements was the fact that we had a bye last week, so we could really afford this time to go a bit earlier,” Van Rooyen said.
“The previous time – in 2017, if I remember correctly – we left on the Tuesday and arrived there late on the Wednesday evening.”
While the Lions were likely to take some confidence after winning their last five games against the Tahs, the men from New South Wales had won the previous six.
Both teams, however, had undergone changes in coaching staff and playing personnel since they last met, and with the Lions in 10th spot and the Waratahs lying stone last, both sides were eager for points.
Van Rooyen hoped they could take advantage of their earlier departure, having arrived in Sydney on Monday.
“In 2017, that was also the kind of tour we had back then, doing the tour that way, but it (a late departure) might be a concern in the second week,” he said.
“We are lucky this time to have time on our side.”
The Lions, meanwhile, confirmed yesterday that they were in the middle of talks with Springbok flank Kwagga Smith in an attempt to lure him back to the den.
Smith, currently playing in Japan, had been linked with a move to the BlitzBoks and the Sharks.