Lions pumped for Bulls
Scrum guru Lemmer says they are excited for tie against Mitchell’s men
NEW Lions forwards boss – and scrum guru – Philip Lemmer can hardly contain his excitement ahead of tomorrow’s big Super Rugby showdown with the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
“Everyone wants to beat the Lions and show what they can do, but we’re just as excited,” said the 34-year-old.
“There’s a lot of hype around the Bulls now that they’re being coached by John Mitchell and the vibe there is good no doubt. So it’s going to be a big game, like every game we play.
“This is why we play rugby … to face the best of the best, to challenge ourselves.
“It’s going to be a tough game there, but we’re all excited. The plans are in place and now it’s up to the players to execute them and to express themselves.”
Lemmer has started his Super Rugby coaching career with a bang, leading the Lions to dominant scrumming performances against the highly-rated Sharks and Jaguares. In both games his front row of props Ruan Dreyer and Jacques van Rooyen and hooker Malcolm Marx won the battles at the set-piece and they’ll start as favourites against the Bulls this weekend. Another strong showing by the Lions could set them on their way to a third straight win this season.
Lemmer said he has taken over a forwards coaching position that was already very healthy.
“Everyone here at the Lions, from the very top, to the bottom, has backed me from day one,” said the former Emerging Boks prop from 2008 and national wrestling representative. “This is a union that encourages excellence and it’s a massive honour and privilege to be a part of it, and now especially at Super Rugby level.”
Lemmer and two other Super Rugby assistant coaches to Swys de Bruin made their mark in the Lions’ junior structures and were promoted at the start of this season. The others are defence coach Joey Mongalo and backs mentor Neil de Bruin.
“I couldn’t believe the news SP Marais’ fitness could influence the Stormers’ game against the Crusaders in Christchurch tomorrow (kickoff 8.35am SA time). And it could be a heavy influence at that.
In the midst of another injury situation that will keep first-choice flyhalf Damian Willemse out of action after he suffered a haematoma to his quad against the Waratahs in Sydney, Dillyn Leyds has been named at flyhalf for their second match on tour. But it could be George Whitehead running out in the position of the general in New Zealand.
Head coach Robbie Fleck when I was offered the chance to move up to the Super Rugby team,” said Lemmer. “And the great thing is the three of us (the young coaches) all know each other so well, we trust each other, understand each other and believe in each other. And then there’s coach Swys who’s really like a father figure to us. We really are such a good fit.”
It’s one thing though being a successful junior coach, dealing with U-19 boys and even Varsity Cup players (Lemmer was also previously involved with the University of Johannesburg team) and quite another coaching seasoned Boks, like Dreyer, Marx, Franco Mostert.
“The secret is we work together, alongside each other,” explained Lemmer. “Sure, it’s different at this level, but I got the players’ backing from day one. It’s been awesome … we share so much between ourselves which is brilliant because that’s how you grow.
“At the end of the day though it’s up to the players to produce the goods on the field; all I can do is show them the right technique.” WE PACK TOGETHER: Malcolm Marx of the Lions (centre) prepares for scrum during last weekend’s Super Rugby match against the Jaguares; Lood de Jager takes charge of the lineouts for the Bulls against the Hurricanes. One thing you know for certain when the Bulls and Lions clash is the scrums will be big, powerful and full of mongrel. And both teams will know exactly how crucial it’s going to be to be the dominant force … because the team that wins the scrum battle will most probably win more penalties and enjoy greater field position; that’s the modern game. The Lions trio of Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx and Jacques van Rooyen are seasoned operators and have started the 2018 season with a bang. So far in their two games against the Sharks and Jaguares the Lions have won 15 out of 18 scrums, and that doesn’t include the penalties they’ve won in that department. The Bulls did well, too, in their only game up to now, against the Hurricanes last week, winning six of seven scrum feeds and they look a strong unit, but they’ll face an altogether different test this weekend. Referee Marius van der Westhuizen faces a big test, too, by having to make the right calls, which are not always obvious in the front row. The Lions have played a bit of a wild card this week by selecting regular No 5 lock Franco Mostert at blindside flank, and pulling in former Bulls man Marvin Orie into the second row, thus strengthening their line-out options. And with Andries Ferreira fit and firing again, the visitors to Pretoria have three excellent option to win line-out ball for them, something that hasn’t worked as well for them so far this year. Missed throws by Marx (six in total) nearly proved costly in their two previous games and the Lions will hope the department functions far better this week. For the Bulls, RG Snyman and Lood de Jager were in sensational form a week ago against the Hurricanes and they’ll be dead-keen to continue that kind of form against their neighbours, with all the locks on show in the running for higher honours later this year. Bulls hookers Jaco Visagie and the experienced Adriaan Strauss face a big test of their throwing-in credentials. The home team missed just one throw-in last week so they’ll be confident.