Not completely satisfied, but for many reasons their best performance of the season.
That’s how Lions boss Johan Ackermann described his side’s 40-17 win against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
The victory lifted the Lions to seventh in the standings and keeps alive their hopes of reaching the Super Rugby playoffs for the first time.
Ackermann’s men ran in four tries to the two of their hosts, earning a vital bonus point in the process, and dominated the contest from start to finish. For once, the Lions didn’t need a second half miracle to bag the points – as has been the case on so many occasions this season.
They led 23-3 at the break and sealed the deal with an equally productive second half.
“We managed the game well from the start and we cut out the mistakes that cost us the previous week so in that regard it was the most complete 80 minute performance,” said Ackermann.
“We were a lot more accurate in our execution and overall it was a good performance. For a change the half-time talk was quite different to what it’s been,” he added.
“The challenge to the players going into the game was to keep the ball for longer periods, build phases and put pressure on the opposition. We wanted quick ruck ball, something we didn’t get against the Brumbies, and the players delivered the goods.”
Ackermann, though, wasn’t completely satisfied.
“The Cheetahs got a heel against the head at one stage and we also still missed the odd line-out, while we weren’t able to stop their driving maul (resulting in Boom Prinsloo getting his team’s two tries). So, we’ll keep working hard, but we’re back on the horse after what happened last week.”
He said the most pleasing aspect of his team’s performance was how well they responded after going down to the Brumbies. “The guys could very easily have become des-pondent. Their attitude though was great and they took a big step in the right direction. Away games are never easy and against a team like the Cheetahs, who’re very unpredictable, you can easily lose the plot. If you’re not focused 100 percent on the task at hand you can come horribly unstuck.
“So, it’s pleasing that the players were able to produce an accurate performance when it really mattered. It’s been a good season so far but there’s still a lot to play for. We’re still in the hunt and that’s a big positive.”
The Lions next face the Waratahs, at Ellis Park; the men from Sydney moving to second on the overall log after their bonus-point win against the Crusaders.
Ackermann is expecting to be without key hooker Robbie Coetzee for the match against the defending champions. Coetzee will appear before a judicial hearing tomorrow for a dangerous tackle during Saturday’s game. The Bok tourist was yellow-carded for the hit, but is expected to cop at least two to three weeks on the sidelines.
“It was an unfortunate incident and I know it’s unlikely he’ll be available for at least this week’s game,” said Ackermann. “Robbie’s a solid player and his set-pieces are really good so it’ll be a big blow to us. But we’ve got good back-up in Akker van der Merwe while Malcolm Marx or Mark Pretorius will come into the squad”. - The Star