AUDIO: Leadership got Lions out of 'deep mud'
SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The team’s leadership is what helped the Lions dig themselves out of a deep hole in the semifinal this past weekend.
The Lions became the first South African team to reach three consecutive Finals, after coming from 0-14 down to beat the Waratahs 44-26.
It has become a habit for the Johannesburg-based franchise.
In the 40-23 quarterfinal win over the Jaguares, they also conceded points in a scrappy opening quarter, while the week before against the Bulls the Lions were 0-12 down before regrouping to record a convincing 38-12 victory.
Lions coach Swys de Bruin said the Waratahs credit for the ‘wonderful’ rugby they played in the opening quarter.
“They were good at the start, they had us,” De Bruin said.
“We had to go deep to come out of that mud.”
The coach said the players put in a massive effort.
“I don’t care if you make mistakes, or this or that, but I wanted effort – especially at a stage when they started going down on their knees and their body language showed.
“We had a call and they upped it [the intensity].
“Congratulations to the decision-makers – [who made the call] to play fast and quick. [They] stuck to the plan, because when we started tapping and playing we could play Lions rugby.”
Asked about the team’s ability to come back from slow starts, the coach again praised the leadership.
“[It is] brilliant leadership from Warren Whiteley,” De Bruin said, adding: “The calling was good. They stuck to the plan and was massive for the belief.
“In the play-offs, when you are down like that and you just come back, that’s good. [It] speaks a lot of the character of the team.
“Warren is a brilliant leader, but [in] our whole spine we’ve got great leaders – they are experienced guys.
“What I love about [flyhalf] Elton [Jantjies], he makes tough calls – calls that other flyhalves wouldn’t make. But when it comes off – look at this cross-field kick at the end [for Courtnall Skosan’s try], it was just pinpoint.
“That’s what I love about the decision-makers. Ross [Cronje] when he taps and plays, Kwagga [Albertus Smith] when he is just relentless.”
The Lions will be sweating over the fitness of Springbok wing Aphiwe Dyantyi, who injured his hamstring in the win over the Tahs.
The Lions will reveal the extent of his injury at a media briefing on Monday.
@rugby365com
