Soften them up, hopefully keep them in check, and then hit them hard in the second half when jet-lag sets in. That’s the plan anyway.
The Lions are desperate to hit back after their reverse to the Bulls – their first defeat in five games – when they host the unpredictable, but extremely dangerous High-landers in a Super Rugby match at Ellis Park tomorrow, with coach Johan Ackermann banking on several key factors to help them achieve their goal.
Jamie Joseph’s men are coming off a big win against the Sharks, but the fact the visitors have flown all the way from Dunedin, on the south island of New Zealand, this week and are playing at 3pm could favour the Lions in what is expected to be an open, high-paced game.
Ackermann has made several changes to his side for the match, the most significant being in the backline where Ross Cronje and Marnitz Boshoff get starts, as does almost forgotten centre Alwyn Hollenbach. The Lions boss is hoping to hit the Highlanders hard in the second half when he can bring on Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies and centre Howard Mnisi, who’s been sensational from off the bench this season.
“That’s the idea ... one part of it,” said Ackermann yesterday when discussing the changes he’s made to the side. “We’re hoping for the bench to step things up in the last half hour. Hopefully we get the impact we’re looking for ... we’re back at home after all and the game’s at 3pm.”
But first things first, Ackermann and Co will want to make a strong, positive start to the game. “The guys in the starting team need to give us the platform so the guys coming on can play with freedom.”
Captain Warren Whiteley said making a strong start would be vital. Against the Bulls last week, the Lions conceded two early tries and had to play catch-up rugby for the bulk of the game.
“The first 25 to 30 minutes wasn’t good against the Bulls so we need to make a better start this time,” said Whiteley. “We played some good rugby against the Bulls, the interplay between backs and forwards was good and we scored some great tries, but we were inconsistent in our scrums and line-outs.
“We need to find that consistency this week, and that starts with a good opening to both the first half and the second half,” said Whiteley.
To further boost his team’s chances of winning what is now a vital game for the Lions, Ackermann has opted for two loose-forwards on his bench – Robert Kruger and Ruaan Lerm – while the replacement front rankers – Jacques van Rooyen, Armand van der Merwe and Ruan Dreyer – are all very mobile and have the ability to change the course of the game.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders team is unchanged from last week. “They’re in form, they’ve got confidence and they can hurt you if you give them turn-over ball,” said Ackermann. “They’ve got three world class players in Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Malakai Fekitoa, but their flyhalf (Lima Sopoaga) is also in great form. They’re a team who’ll produce a number of All Blacks this year, so it’s going to be a nice test for us.” - The Star