Lions admit 'calculated risk' could backfire
SPOTLIGHT: The Lions hope that giving their ‘fringe players’ a run will rekindle the flagging energy levels of the team.
The Ellis Park-based outfit heads out to England this week to face Newcastle at Kingston Park in a Challenge Cup Round Two encounter.
Newcastle made a statement when they beat Lyon Olympique Universitaire 23-14 at the Matmut Stadium de Gerland in a Challenge Cup Round One outing.
The Lions, who face the Stormers in Cape Town next week, sent their ‘B-Team’ to England.
Forwards coach Barend Pieterse admitted the pre-planned move carries an element of risk with it.
From the Lions starting XV that lost (18-26) to Benetton this past weekend, only flank Jarod Cairns was named for the trip to England.
The only bench player, from the Round One loss to the Italian visitors, who is ‘rested’ and stayed at home is lock Darrien Landsberg.
“When we started with our planning in pre-season, it was part of our planning,” Pieterse said ahead of the team’s departure for Newcastle upon Tyne in England.
He explained that the short turnaround, travelling back on the Sunday, necessitated leaving the bulk of the matchday squad at home.
One or two of the changes were the result of ‘injury niggles’, but by and large, it is a tactical ploy to ensure they have a rested squad for the festive season derby in Cape Town.
“We are certainly not underestimating Newcastle, especially not after their impressive win over Lyon this past weekend.”
No.8 and captain Francke Horn headlines the list of ‘injury niggles’, struggling with a problematic shoulder, but it is ‘not serious’.
“He would not have toured anyway,” the assistant coach said, adding: “Franco Marais was on the shortlist to tour, but he rolled his ankle.
“While none of the niggles are serious, with such a short turnaround, it makes sense to keep them at home for rehab.”
After wins over Scarlets, Ulster and the Bulls, the Challenge Cup loss to Benetton – having also suffered a URC loss to the Italian outfit earlier in the season – the mass changes create a risk of the team losing any cohesion on continuity they may have built up.
It could lead to a similar nose-dive as last season.
“There will always be that risk that we could lose momentum,” Pieterse said.
“Some of the stuff that worked for us last year is not working for us now.
“Maybe, just changing it up a bit will work for us.
“You can see the way they trained, there is a fresh energy,” he said about the build-up to the Newcastle face-off.
“We are positive it will go the other way, have a positive impact, this time.”
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