Stumbling Lions ready to get back into the race
The new Lions mentor has likened his team to a champion hurdler who had a few stumbles – a team that will soon bounce back and regain its best form.
"We are sixth on the standings, a clear indication that we are behind the eight ball," De Bruin told rugby365 in an interview ahead of their trip to Newlands and an encounter with Western Province on Friday.
He said they will not deviate from the process that has brought them so much success in recent years.
"We can't afford, with this group of players, to look too far ahead," he said, adding: "Many of the players were with us [in Super Rugby].
"Many of these players did not get a lot of game time and now they do get game time.
"They know what we expect of them and they know how the Lions play. It is just a matter of time then things will come right."
He said Springbok legend Victor Matfield, the new forwards coach, has fitted in nicely.
"I believe we have a decent team and good depth."
He said it doesn't matter who the opposition is, they are going to work on improving their own game and not getting caught up in countering the opposition or looking at the tournament standings.
"We want to do well in the Currie Cup, but we also want to prepare the players for Super Rugby."
He said Matfield has brought "his own spice" to the line-outs, that will not change the way the Lions have played for the last five years.
"It [the Lions' expansive style] has brought us a lot more success than failures.
"If you are a good hurdler and then suddenly stumble over a hurdle or two, you don't just change your style."
By Jan de Koning
@king365ed
@rugby365com
