Lions ready to fight to the end

Johan Ackermann and his men are fighting to stay in contention for a place in the semi-finals of the 2016 Currie Cup. Photo: Gavin Barker

Johan Ackermann and his men are fighting to stay in contention for a place in the semi-finals of the 2016 Currie Cup. Photo: Gavin Barker

Published Sep 24, 2016

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Just over a month ago, the Lions were on top of the world, preparing for their first Super Rugby final, and that was just a few months after they’d gone unbeaten in 12 matches on their way to lifting the 2015 Currie Cup trophy.

Now coach Johan Ackermann and his men are fighting to stay in contention for a place in the semi-finals of the 2016 Currie Cup.

They take on the winless EP Kings in Port Elizabeth today (5.10pm), knowing that only five points will be good enough to keep them in the hunt.

Right now they’re out of the semi-final mix and still have to face the Sharks in their final league game next weekend, but the good news is that that match is at Ellis Park, where the Lions haven’t lost in two years in the competition.

But first things first. They must pick up their first away win of the competition today to give themselves an outside chance of featuring in the play-offs.

In their six matches so far they’ve yet to win on the road, losing to Griquas (30-24), the Blue Bulls (31-17) and Free State Cheetahs (37-29).

But Ackermann’s men are sure to stop the rot on the road as the Kings are hardly a force in the competition. They’ve taken back-to-back 50-point hidings and haven’t won a game in six outings, propping up the nine-team points table with a solitary point.

The sixth-placed Lions are sure to pick up the required points, especially as they’ve been boosted by the inclusion of Springboks Julian Redelinghuys and Malcolm Marx in the starting team. And with Super Rugby mate Dylan Smith alongside them in the front row, expect a mighty big effort from the Lions pack.

Kwagga Smith will lead the side for the first time, taking over from Ross Cronje and Howard Mnisi, who have shared the duties until now.

Ackermann says he wants to expose as many players as he can to captaincy.

“The fact is that Warren (Whiteley) and Jaco (Kriel) will only return to us from their Japanese clubs just before Super Rugby next year. I’m not sure what condition they’ll be in and they may also need some rest, so we’re going to need as many leaders as we can get at that stage,” explained Ackermann.

“It’s important that we identify new leaders and I believe Kwagga is a good choice for us. He leads by example and isn’t unfamiliar with the pressures of rugby at the highest level. He’s also a good decision-maker,” said the coach of the Sevens star.

Saturday Star

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