Lions chasing a 'big five' trophy
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:01
Jaco Taute: A Lion(s) cub... but with plenty of bite. (c) Gallo
The Lions are determined to add the scalps of the 'big five' of the Currie Cup competition to their recent triumphs, as they continue their rebuilding process.
On a three-match winning streak - following victories over the Cheetahs, Pumas and Leopards - the Johannesburg-based outfit are now embarking on what they feel is the most crucial part of their 2010 season.
Following a winless Super 14 season, the arrival of New Zealander John Mitchell has not just ended their losing streak, it has also brought about some drastic personnel changes.
However, all the hard work could be undone if they lose momentum in the next month.
Lions forwards coach Johan Ackermann, speaking to rugby365.com ahead of Friday's home game against Western Province, admitted that they are entering a crucial time of the season.
"With all respect to the Leopards and Pumas [the last two teams they beat] - and they were great victories for us, because they are tricky teams - but we now face the 'big five'," Ackermann said.
He was referring, of course, to their games against WP, Griquas (both at home), the Blue Bulls (away), Sharks (at home) and Free State Cheetahs (away).
"This is the real test that awaits us," the Lions forwards coach emphasised. "We haven't achieved anything yet."
Ackermann was quick to play down any talk of the Lions targeting the play-offs and said it was far more important that they continued the rebuilding process at the union.
"I have seen [head coach] John Mitchell mentioning that we have a chance [of reaching the play-offs], but we just want to see improvement from one week to the next," the former Springbok lock said.
"We are facing all these top teams in succession and it is important that we make progress, because in the first half of the season it didn't go well against those teams."
Asked what aspects of the Lions' game must improve most, Ackermann spoke of the need for "an 80-minute effort".
"Those teams dominated us in the second half of the games, so we are looking for an 80-minute effort and enforce our own game plan.
"We produced solid performances in the first half against them, but often after the break the players panicked a bit and made too many unforced errors."
He admitted that the lack of experience, the result of head coach John Mitchell's youth policy, contributed to the team's second-half collapses.
Ackermann said he hoped the youngsters would have learnt from those earlier games.
"Indeed, what we want to see from them is a more mature performance - that they don't panic when we get behind on the scoreboard.
"We often resorted to individualistic play when the going got tough.
"Against the Cheetahs and Pumas we came from behind [to win] and that is what we want to see more often, that the players trust each other and perform as a team."
By Jan de Koning
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