Hendrikse drops back into pocket of confident form
IT was lekker to see the drop goal back in vogue, even if it was just for a weekend.
First it was Springbok Damian Willemse who coolly slotted two droppies against England, and a day later Jordan Hendrikse of the Emirates Lions did the same.
The significance of those scores regarding importance can obviously be argued, but both were important nonetheless.
Much like Willemse’s strikes, Hendrikse’s drop goal created some much needed scoreboard pressure, helping grind down the Dragons in the Lions’ United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against the Welsh franchise last weekend.
Yesterday, the 21-year-old admitted that he has been practising them this week as well.
“Of course, of course ... you have to,” he said with a chuckle in an interview with Independent Media.
“It was all about confidence and our forwards give you that. If you feel you are on top of your game, you always want to back your ability.
“We probably went through numerous phases (against Dragons), plus-minus 15, and we weren’t going anywhere. So, it was all about backing my ability and early calls from Sanele (Nohamba) that I moved into the pocket.”
Hendrikse was Man of the Match last weekend, and knows that he must build momentum on that performance, if he is to stay as the incumbent flyhalf at the Lions. There is some fierce competition for the No 10 jumper with teammate Gianni Lombard after all, and the young flyhalf is not assured of starting against Scarlets this weekend.
“It is very hotly contested between us,” Hendrikse said, regarding the tussle for the starting berth at pivot, “which is nice.
“It pushes both of us at training and on gameday to firstly, have the opportunity; and to play our best for the team.”
Hendrikse's fate, regarding the starting XV, will be known today when head coach Ivan van Rooyen names his matchday 23 – but, other than rotation or injury, there seems to be no reason not to entrust the Young Turk again against a Scarlet outfit that are deep in the doldrums.
The Lions managed to finish strongly against Dragons, albeit in a scrappy display, finally claiming an important home victory. This week, in URC action, they will have the opportunity to repeat the feat against another Welsh-franchise at Emirates Airline Park on Sunday (kick-off 1.30pm).
A desperate Scarlets will then be an excellent litmus test to see if they have developed this week by applying what they have practised. Hendrikse and Co have identified those failings, especially in the backline, and have been toiling away at their base to correct them, while also hinting at a possible gameplan.
Explained Hendrikse: “The week before Dragons, we struggled a bit in terms of execution as a team in terms of our plays.
“That did not give us the confidence to play the ball wide as we normally do. We kept the ball close to our forwards, and we are grateful to them for their dominance and winning the set-pieces.
“That played into our hands. “This past week, the main focus was execution – getting the handing up, getting the skill level up – to give us that confidence going into this weekend, so that we can move the ball around to run them off their feet.
“We are focused on ourselves,” he added, “but we honestly believe that the Scarlets performance against the Stormers (a 36-19 loss) was not their best ...
“Obviously, you prepare for what you can expect from them, but our main focus is dominant set-piece, take our opportunities and move the ball around, which we have been working on very hard this week.”