Force the Saracens of Australia
Lions coach Johan Ackermann has put a new slant on the Western Force's South African angle.
Speaking to rugby365 ahead of their final Australasian tour match in Perth on Saturday, Ackermann compared the Force to the London-based Saracens club.
Just like the Force, Sarries – affectionately referred to amongst other monikers as the Wolf Pack and Fez-Boys – this year based their success on a substantial number of South Africans.
The Perth outfit have eight South Africans on their playing roister, of which four feature regularly in the matchday 23.
Then there are the coaching influence of David Wessels and Kevin Foote, who have made a huge impact on the Western Australian franchise.
"Mixing the cultures like this is working for them, with a sound base coming from those [two] South African coaches and the players," Ackermann told this website.
"Another good example is Saracens, where [the mix of South Africans and locals] it also works well," the Lions mentor said of the European Cup finalists.
Turning back to the Force, Ackermann added: "There is no doubt those where great acquisitions for them, because they are having their best season ever. They [the SA players] have made a huge difference.
"You can see how well they do against the South African teams, because they know how the SA teams function – there are no real surprises for them."
The Lions mentor said Saturday's Perth outing will be a game where they play against a South African-type team.
"Then there are the numerous South African supporters [in Perth], so hopefully some of them will support us as a South African team – it should be an exciting game."
The other important factor for the Lions mentor is to ensure his players remain focussed and to fall pray to the 'homeward bound' disease.
"We came close against the Highlanders and we are keen for a win [on tour]," Ackermann told rugby365.
"It will be great for the morale of the team.
"The players have continued to train with commitment and vigour, even this week. So hopefully a bit of luck goes our way, but we all know how tough the Western Force is.
"They are committed and the players have shown great character. They [the Force] are back home and will be determined to get the points to stay in the play-off race.
"We seem to be getting most teams on the rebound lately, a week after they've lost.
"However, we are just as desperate for a win.
"The big challenge for us is to avoid that we have on foot on plane. I have been working on the players all week, pointing out the pitfalls for this young group [of players]."
By Jan de Koning
