Warren Whiteley has told his Lions team-mates to put his injury behind them and focus only on topping the Super Rugby log in the coming weeks.
The inspirational Lions captain was this week ruled out of the game for up to six weeks after suffering a shoulder injury while playing for the Springboks against Ireland. It is a huge blow to the franchise who lead Africa Conference 2 and are second overall among the 18 Super Rugby teams.
With three rounds of action remaining, the Lions are in a position to win their conference and finish first overall, something that will boost their chances of going all the way in the competition.
A win against the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday would just about secure them top place in their conference, with games to spare - against the Kings and Jaguares - but Whiteley says there’s more to play for than that.
“The focus is only on the Sharks right now; that’s the next step for this team,” he said after hearing he would miss out on the run-in.
“We’re going all out to win every game we have left, to finish in the best possible position.
“We’d love to play at home in a potential quarter-final and semi-final and maybe a final. That’s the aim.
“If we can finish the round robin fixtures with the most points and top the log we’ll give ourselves the best chance of winning the trophy.”
That is why Whiteley is so disappointed he will not be part of his team’s matches against the Sharks, Jaguares and Kings.
“You know ... we’ve worked for the last three to four years to be in this very position ... to be in with a shout of finally playing in the knockout rounds.
“Everything comes down to what happens in the next month or so ... and I’m not going to be a part of it; that’s disappointing,” he said.
Whiteley, who has led the Lions to nine wins in 12 matches, hurt his shoulder in the second Test against Ireland at Ellis Park and then aggravated the injury in the final Test in Port Elizabeth last weekend.
“It was in my very first carry ... I fell awkwardly on it and I knew instantly it was done.
“I’ve got an amazing team around me though, a great squad of players and coaches, my family ... the support is fantastic. It doesn’t help to have negative thoughts, so I’m looking forward to supporting the players and helping them in any way possible to get to those play-offs. And, who knows, maybe I’ll still get a shot at it.”
Lions boss Johan Ackermann has named fellow Bok loose-forward Jaco Kriel as his captain, but he’ll name Whiteley’s replacement at No 8 only on Thursday.
“We’re a team that’s never ever relied on individuals and I know that whoever the coach picks will step up and do the job. Remember in our last game, against the Bulls, Elton (Jantjies) was out, but Marnitz (Boshoff) came in and delivered for us.
“Everyone in this Lions team knows their role and what’s expected of them and I’ve got full faith in every one of them that we’ll finish this campaign strongly. Jaco (Kriel) is a phenomenal player and human being and he’ll get the best out of his teammates. Nothing will change.” - The Star