Ackermann to 'trust his gut' on selection posers
Ackermann is caught between a rock and a hard place – having to decide if he will rest some key players for the play-offs, or send his A-team to Argentina.
The table-topping Lions will face a vastly-improved Jaguares side in the final match of the league phase of the Super Rugby competition and they will, before kick-off next Saturday, know exactly what is required to ensure they finish top of the competition's totem pole.
However, with four New Zealand teams within four points (a win) of the Lions on the standings, it is likely only victory will suffice for the men from Johannesburg.
The Lions (on 52 points) are being pursued by the Chiefs (51 points), Crusaders (50), Highlanders (48) and Hurricanes (48).
However, those four teams are scheduled to meet each other earlier in the day – which will eliminate at least two from the Lions' equation.
The seven-time champion Crusaders are at home to the Hurricanes, while the defending champion Highlanders host the Chiefs.
Long before Saturday's dramatic final round can play itself out, Ackermann must make a call on who will travel to Buenos Aires for what the Lions coach described as a 'must-win' game, as they want to finish first on the log.
While he will be following his gut, Ackermann said he must "trust all his players".
"I have to trust that [players like] Ross [Cronje], Akker [Armand] van der Merwe and Corné Fourie can do the job," the coach said, when quizzed about the selection poser.
"Somewhere Lourens Erasmus must be entrusted to play in his role."
The players most in need of a break include the Springbok halfback combination of Elton Jantjies (No.10) and Francois de Klerk (No.9), flank and current captain Jaco Kriel, lock Franco Mostert and prop Julian Redelinghuys.
One or two other key players – new Bok wing Ruan Combrinck, centre Lionel Mapoe and hooker Malcolm Marx – could also benefit from avoiding the arduous trip to Argentina.
Bulls coach Nollis Marais, fresh from his own team's demise at the hands of the Jaguares in Buenos Aires just over a week ago, said the travel factor is the biggest challenge.
He felt that the Lions have more depth in their squad than the Bulls do and could probably get away with resting some key players.
"The problem with Buenos Aires is that the travel there [including a five-hour stop-over in Brazil] is 26 hours," Marais said.
"Then you must hope it doesn't rain," he said of the monsoon-like conditions the Bulls experienced during their 11-29 loss in Buenos Aires just over a week ago.
"It is also difficult to travel back and play," the Bulls mentor said, adding: "The [South African] teams only arrive back on the Monday and then the team's preparation only starts on the Tuesday.
"The Jaguares remain a difficult side to beat in Buenos Aires."
Ackermann will announce his tour squad on Wednesday, when the team departs for Argentina will also be revealed.
@rugby365com
