Lions to open flood-Gates

Lions rugby fans at Ellis Park. File Photo: Gavin Barker

Lions rugby fans at Ellis Park. File Photo: Gavin Barker

Published Apr 23, 2016

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Johannesurg - Can the Kings handle the pace and power of the Lions? That’s the big question ahead of Saturday’s Super Rugby derby in Port Elizabeth (5.10pm).

Johan Ackermann’s Lions have been South Africa’s form team this season, mixing power up front with skill and flair at the back, a combination that’s brought the Joburg team five wins from seven outings, including victories against the defensively strong Sharks and Stormers in the last fortnight.

They’re up against a team that has leaked on average six tries per game so Ackermann’s men will be licking their chops at the prospect of taking on the men from the Eastern Cape.

They’ll be hoping to produce another strong performance, one which will hopefully bag them five log points and cement their place at the top of their conference.To achieve that, Ackermann’s men will have to guard against complacency and becoming too loose and adventurous.

They’re going to have to be as clinical as they were against the Sharks and Stormers, with the foundation laid up front and leading that charge will be none other than underrated lock Franco Mostert, pictured, who enjoyed a stellar showing against the Capetonians last Saturday.

Mostert, who has no regard for keeping his body without bruises, is one of the unsung heroes in Ackermann’s team, but week in and week out he delivers the goods, something he says comes naturally to him.

”My older brother always told me not to be scared of anything. I don’t mind getting stuck in and taking contact. Getting physical has never bothered me and I’m happy to give 100 percent every time.

”Mostert adds that the “fear” of losing his place in the starting team drives him to another level.It’s the reason why he’s not prepared to sit out and take a break, something Ackermann considered doing this week.

”I want to play … I don’t want to leave the door open for a youngster to come in and grab his chance.”While I’m young enough and fit enough, I’ll keep going.”It’s that attitude of the Lions players that has got them into the position they are.

Ackermann said he considered rotating his locks – the other one being Andries Ferreira – but that the forced changes in the front row prevented him from bringing in the likes of Martin Muller and Lourens Erasmus as well.

”With Malcolm Marx and Julian Redelinghuys already out I needed some stability in the tight-five,” said Ackermann.”I’m confident the guys coming in (Corné Fourie, Armand van der Merwe and Ruan Dreyer) will do the job for us.

”Also, Cyle Brink, who gets a chance in place of Jaco Kriel, who will be used in the second half.”In spite of the changes made by the Lions boss, it remains a powerful and impressive-looking side, with plenty of skill at the back and fire-power sitting on the bench.

The Lions will be a confident bunch going into the game and they’ll certainly look to exploit what appears to be a somewhat unsettled Kings side, which shows nine changes from the team that lost to the Bulls two weeks ago.

The Kings, with a player like Shane Gates back in midfield, will ask some questions of the Lions’ defence, but those queries are not likely to be as challenging as what they had to deal with from the Stormers.

But it’s defensively where the home team will have to step up if they’re to be competitive over the 80 minutes.All indications are the Lions will bag the five points, but to do that they’re going to have to play another smart game of rugby and stay focused throughout.

The Star

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