Warren Whiteley has called on his Lions teammates to show ‘urgency’ in everything they do when they host New Zealand’s Auckland Blues in a Super Rugby match at Ellis Park tonight (7.15).
The Lions go into the game on the back of a bye and before that they lost to the Hurricanes, who put 50 points past them at Ellis Park.
It was arguably the Lions’ most disappointing performance in two seasons, the visitors from Wellington dominating all aspects of play, especially the breakdowns where they won plenty of ball.
Having had two weeks to think about how they got it so wrong, Whiteley desperately wants his players to set the record straight and ensure the Lions get back to winning ways as quickly as possible.
“The word urgency comes to mind for this game,” said Whiteley this week.
“It’s going to be extremely important over the 80 minutes - urgency to the breakdowns, urgency to work hard off the ball and, urgency in defence.”
Whiteley stressed the breakdowns would be the key area of the game.
Both the Lions and Blues depend on quick, front-foot ball that can be used by the backs, with both having great runners and game-breakers out wide. Take them out of the game - as the Hurricanes did to the Lions - and half the battle is won.
“First, we have to make sure we secure our ball at the breakdowns,” said Whiteley.
“If we can do that and prevent them (the Blues) from getting turnovers it will help our defence -unlike what happened against the Hurricanes.
“Also our ball-carriers have to beat their man, but they also have to hang on to the ball. It’s all about ball security.”
So coach Johan Ackermann is expecting a far more determined and focused performance from his charges. Besides him demanding more urgency and intensity at the rucks and mauls, he’s also made it clear his players need to jack up their decision-making.
Against the Hurricanes, two loose passes were intercepted by the visitors and the tries scored from those gifts put the Lions on the back foot.
“We’re going to have to show far more composure than we did last time out,” said Ackermann this week.
“We need to be more patient and composed when we’re in the strike zone and we need to make better decisions, especially regarding when to pass and when not to pass.
“Generally, I want the players to up the intensity across the field and show greater accuracy in executing our game.”
That will depend largely on who gets the upper hand up front but with Julian Redelinghuys and Malcolm Marx back in the front row for the Lions, expect a more physical and aggressive showing by Ackermann’s pack. However, they’ll be up against some formidable opposition in the Blues with the likes of Jerome Kaino and Charlie Faumauina leading the forwards.
Also, Ross Crone will have to produce a strong game at No 9, while Elton Jantjies will be under some scrutiny after a rather disappointing performance against the Hurricanes.
When he’s on song the Lions look almost unstoppable and he’ll be keen to regain the form he showed up to the last game.
If the weather’s good, this should be a cracker-jack affair. Both teams love running with the ball - and on top of that, there’s plenty at stake.
A win for the Lions will put them well in charge of the Africa 2 Conference, while defeat will heap the pressure on the players in the coming weeks.
For the Blues a win would edge them closer to being in the play-off mix among their fellow New Zealanders.
lIn Bloemfontein, the Cheetahs host the Southern Kings (5.05pm). Both teams are out of the running for the play-offs and are simply playing for pride. - Saturday Star