AUDIO: Exciting times for 'young' Lions
CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Patience and concentration are the two key areas for the Golden Lions to work on this week.
New Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen dismissed the suggestion that his team’s porous defence could be an issue when they face the Blue Bulls in Pretoria this coming Saturday.
The Lions, with 10 Under-21 players in their matchday squad, recorded a 62-41 win over Griquas this past weekend.
Despite scoring nine tries, the Lions leaked five in a game where defence was not at a premium.
The first half was tightly-contested, with the visitors taking a slender one-point (20-19) lead – despite scoring two tries to the hosts’ three, thanks to two penalty goals by George Whitehead.
But two tries in quick succession by the Lions after the break – and another four as the match progressed – sealed the victory for them.
Van Rooyen did not regard defence as an issue.
“There was a lot of excitement for the first game [of the season], so you can expect some errors,” the coach said.
He said their biggest areas of concern would be the lack of “patience” on attack and defence.
He said it was their first game together as a team and the players now have a better idea of what is required.
“No, I won’t call it an issue at all,” he said of the team’s defence, adding: “Like I said, we’ll work hard on patience.”
Both Van Rooyen and captain Ross Cronje said there is great excitement in the camp, surrounding the young talent coming through.
“It is exciting to work with the players we have. It is the first step – now it is about working hard for the next game.”
Cronje said there were times when the Lions “went to sleep” against Griquas and that’s when they were “punished” by the visitors.
“I do believe this team can play for a full 80 minutes,” the Springboks scrumhalf said, adding: “The talent, especially with the youngsters coming through, is amazing.
“It is quite an exciting time for the Lions.”
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