Sadie would back a switch to Pro-14

A move away from Super Rugby to a Northern Hemisphere competition might not be the worst idea in the world, ace Lions prop Carlu Sadie (right) believes.

While Sport24 reported at the weekend that the union had lost the services of hooker Malcolm Marx, the Lions were focused on returning to full training on Monday, pending screening.

“If the Pro14 move happens it must happen,” said Sadie.

“We as a union, or players, would accept it, but we would no doubt miss Super Rugby because it is any young player’s goal to play in this great competition.”

Regardless of the stage they were given on which to perform, Sadie insisted they would go fullout.

“Maybe something new would be good for the game. One never knows,” he said.

“For me, the move to the Lions from the Stormers was also something new, but eventually it was the best thing that could have happened to me.

“So that’s something we might have to accept and maybe test the waters, but regardless of what they do, I just want to play and be the best player I can be, because that is why we play the game.”

Sadie added that the arrival of veteran prop Jannie du Plessis had been an inspiring move, giving the Lions squad a boost.

“Jannie is without doubt one of the most hard-working people I have met in my life,” he said.

“Any other player would also tell you how hard he works. From day one when he arrived at the union, his age of 37 didn’t hold him back. At meetings he would have a notebook and he would write things down.”

Du Plessis’ intense studying of the game provided a fine example for the rest of the squad.

“I took a lot in from Jannie on the manner in which he works. He is a massive example to the rest of us,” Sadie said.

“He has played a big role in the way he has inspired us.”