LIONS FACE TOUGH TASK IN NEW ZEALAND
Adjusting to conditions and time zone a priority – Kriel
ADJUSTING to conditions and to the time zone in New Zealand will be a priority for the Lions ahead of Saturday’s Super Rugby final against the Hurricanes.
The South African side jetted out from the OR Tambo International airport on Sunday night and took a connecting flight from Sydney‚ Australia‚ to Wellington yesterday morning.
The side needs to immediately put behind them their historic 42-30 semifinal win against last season’s champions‚ the Highlanders‚ at Ellis Park on Saturday.
“[Saturday night] was just amazing‚ the guys were emotional‚ but we have to reset‚” Lions loose-forward Jaco Kriel said. He stood in as captain for the side in the absence of the injured Warren Whiteley in the semifinal.
“We now need to adjust to sleeping patterns and all other challenges ahead.”
The Lions are well aware of the Herculean task that awaits them on the Pacific Ocean island of New Zealand.
Their opponents have enjoyed great form this season‚ finishing above the Lions as the top side on the log at the end of the round-robin stages of the competition.
“It does not get any easier. The Hurricanes were on top of the log‚” Kriel warned.
The Lions’ match-up with the Hurricanes this week means that the side will be facing their third Kiwi opposition in back-to-back matches after beating the Crusaders in the quarterfinal before the Highlanders on Saturday.
“To get three New Zealand sides in three playoff games is not the easy route‚ but we will work hard‚” Kriel said.
Lions coach Johan Ackermann said that sticking to the same training routine his charges have got used to this season and plenty of rest would be key for the side this week.
“We would like to keep the same routine‚” the coach said.
“The moment we can settle [in New Zealand] we will stick to the same routine.
‘ The moment we can settle [in New Zealand] we will stick to the same routine