Set-piece showdown at the Park
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:29
The set pieces hold the key to victory for the Lions when they face the defending champion Free State Cheetahs in a crunch Currie Cup match in Johannesburg on Friday.
Lions stalwart Willie Wepener said, despite an abundance of classy backline players in both teams, the game will still be won or lost up front.
The 27-year-old Wepener, rated as one of the unluckiest players not to be in Peter de Villiers' Springbok team, described it as a "crucial game" if the Lions want to maintain their momentum - having beaten Western Province and the Blue Bulls in their last two outings.
"It is important for us to put all our structures in place and it is important in terms of our place on the Currie Cup standings," he told rugby365.com.
"We had a slow start to the season, but things are starting to fall into place for us now and the boys have come to the party," he said of the Lions' season - which sees them at fourth place on the standings, with five wins from eight starts.
The Lions front row forward said the players had taken responsibility after the early matches and every player now knows what is expected of him.
"Every player is doing his job and that makes things a lot easier," he told this website.
The Lions and Cheetahs are both coming off a mid-season break and Wepener said "psychologically and physically" the break came at a good time for the team.
"We had a few tough games in a row [defeat against the Sharks, followed by wins over Western Province and Blue Bulls]," he said, adding: "Especially the last two games against the Bulls and WP, it took a lot out of the guys. The break came at a good time and we'll have to see on Friday if we'll maintain that momentum."
He admitted that it will be a tall order against the Cheetahs, who - just like the Lions - "play with a passion".
The Cheetahs, who have won their last four matches on the trot, are also in a good position on the standings - just one place above the Lions.
The hooker said he doesn't expect either team to deviate much from their tried and test game plans - which has a strong element of attacking rugby in it.
However, no team can play without the ball, making the battle up front the key to victory.
"The most important thing is the battle up front, you can't play an expansive game if you are losing the battle up front," he told rugby365.com.
"No doubt the forwards will be testing each other before we try to give the ball air, but your set pieces are vital - the scrums and line-outs, that's where the battle will be won or lost. It is important that you lay a solid platform in the set pieces," he added.
Wepener, who has sent some powerful messages to Bok coach Peter de Villiers with his performances, was philosophical about having been overlooked in the Springbok selections.
"I'm enjoying my rugby [with the Lions] at present, we're a bunch of great guys that are together and I'm enjoying it," he said.
"I just want to play as much as I can and what happens must happen.
"If I get a chance [to play for the Boks] that will be great, but if I don't then it was not meant to be."
However, he hasn't given up hope of sometime soon getting that call from De Villiers.
"I focus every game on doing my best for my team [the Lions].
"The best statement I can make is on the playing field ... unfortunately I can't select myself."
By Jan de Koning
