VIDEO: 'Fire' is burning bright in Lions camp
SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Lions are making the most of their early-season break, using this week’s bye to reduce the crippling effect of travel fatigue.
Coach Ivan van Rooyen, speaking in the wake of his team’s heartbreaking 30-33 loss to the Stormers at the weekend, said they have a lot to be positive about – despite their second defeat in the opening three weeks.
He admitted there is still “a lot of things” his team needs to work on ahead of their four-match Australasian tour – which will see them face the Waratahs (February 28, Sydney), Rebels (March 7, Melbourne, Blues (March 14, Auckland) and Highlanders (March 21, Dunedin).
“Luckily we have a bye before we tour, so there is time to fix it.”
He said there is a “fire” burning inside the players, a desire to improve, that will only get brighter as the season moves along.
The players had Monday and Tuesday off, with two tough days of training (Wednesday and Thursday).
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Two years ago the Lions departed late – on the Tuesday and arrived late on the Wednesday – managing to beat the Waratahs 29-0 in Sydney.
However, this time the team flies out to Sydney on Saturday afternoon.
Arriving there on Sunday, they then have a full week of preparation ahead of next Friday’s showdown with the Waratahs.
“Having the bye we can afford to travel a bit earlier,” Van Rooyen said, adding: “We have the luxury of time on our side.”
The Lions have also been boosted by the return of scrumhalf André Warner.
Warner, who joined the Lions at the start of the season, missed the win against the Reds and the dramatic defeat to the Stormers due to an ankle injury he suffered in Round One – a loss to the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
Veteran Springbok loose forward Willem Alberts (biceps), Bok scrumhalf Ross Cronje (ankle), Bok wing Jamba Ulengo (calf) and Tiaan Swanepoel (hamstring) all came through the past weekend without an issue.
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