Lions take a page from Rassie’s book with hybrid-player approach
REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has adopted a Rassie Erasmus-like approach, building a squad littered with hybrid players and utility options to ensure they are fit for purpose ahead of a gruelling season.
The first glimpse of that approach came this past weekend when his side defeated the Ospreys 35-19 at 10Bet Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
The Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) Round Two triumph added to their season-opening win against defending champions Leinster.
Springbok utility back Quan Horn started the match on the bench before coming on in the 60th minute.
Rather than replacing Boeta Chamberlain in his preferred position, fullback, Horn slotted in on the left wing in place of Erich Cronje, who left the field with a niggle.
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Horn has been used in various positions over the past season, having also played flyhalf for the Springboks against the Barbarians in June.
While it worked out in his team’s favour, Van Rooyen admitted the move wasn’t pre-planned but ultimately served Horn’s development.
“It wasn’t necessarily pre-planned,” he said.
“If everything was fine, we wanted to see if we could get Boeta [Chamberlain] to 10, just to get him a bit of reps there, and then Quan to 15.
“Unfortunately, with Erich [Cronje] having a bit of a niggle, we had to move someone to the wing. Both JC [Pretorius] and Siba [Mahashe] were active cover for the wing, but again, with Ruan Delport having to go for an HIA, we had to put Quan on the wing.
“The team guy that he is, he didn’t even blink to go there. I know he’s also an option there for potentially the Boks, so it’s all good development for him.”
Van Rooyen also suggested Mahashe and Pretorius could be used in different backline positions in the future.
He believes having players who can perform in different positions and fulfil whatever role the team needs is where the modern game is headed.
“I don’t want to use the word hybrid, but I believe it’s gonna be the nucleus of rugby going forward.
“Guys being able to play different positions, fulfilling different roles and whatever the team needs in terms of: are we going full momentum, then you put guys in different positions, or are you going X-factor if there’s space out wide.
“Locks [four, fives] should be able to play seven. Eights should be able to play six, and six should be able to play eight.
“We’re fortunate with someone like JC and Siba; we honestly believe they can play wing and centre if they had to for us.”
On his wing options, Van Rooyen said he’s pleased with how Cronje and Kelly Mpeku are holding the fort.
Mpeku scored a brace against the Ospreys, and Cronje crossed the whitewash for his third try in two matches.
The versatile duo have capitalised on the absence of Angelo Davids and recruit Daniel Kasende, who are both out injured.
“They’re just consistent with X-factor and toughness, and both of them can play centre,” Van Rooyen added.
“We were really excited to see Daniel Kasende as well, and we believe he’s in that frame of mind where there’s enough pace to hurt you and grit to be a game breaker.
“I think both of them have, for the last season, evolved and grown nicely. Aerially, they are both moving forward nicely, and we know they’re good defenders.
“We know they can beat players, and they are good bankers currently for us.”
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