AUDIO: Lions lack game IQ says coach
The Lions finished their United Rugby Championship on a winning note, but there is much to digest for management after yet another failed season.
In four seasons in the URC, the Lions have failed to reach the play-offs – finishing 12th, ninth (twice) and 11th.
This past season, with eight wins and 10 defeats, it was a season of decline, despite the weekend’s fluky win.
Flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela scored well into additional time to ensure the Lions end a disappointing season on a winning note.
Outscoring Ospreys by five tries to four, the Lions won 29-28 at Ellis Park at the weekend, courtesy of Dobela’s 83rd-minute score.
Both teams finished the season outside the top 10 and another season of competing in Europe’s second-tier Challenge Cup competition.
It was the last game for Edwill van der Merwe and Marius Louw, both of whom will depart Ellis Park with a win to their names.
With nothing at stake, other than honour, the Lions returned to their all-action, expansive game.
However, despite almost 70 percent possession and territory, the home team was still trailing (5-7) on the half-hour mark, mainly the result of sloppy handling and poor option-taking.
They did have their moments and scored five entertaining tries, but for the most part, it was clear why they are not in the play-offs.
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen said the team will have a couple of weeks off for some much-needed rest and recuperation.
“It is important to heal the bodies and get re-energised and then start building for the Currie Cup,” he said of the domestic competition that will get underway at the end of July.
(LISTEN as Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen speaks about the ‘road ahead’ after another failed season – their fourth since joining the URC….)
He said they need to get the players ‘one percent better’ physically to maintain their contribution in collisions.
“Probably, our rugby IQ needs to be better,” Van Rooyen said after their win in the final round of the season.
“Because we [the players] are a little bit younger, the rugby IQ needs to improve.
“That will be a massive focus in pre-season.
“Our decision-making under pressure and skill execution needs to improve.”
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