'Frustrated' Lions turn focus on Stormers
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Lions are ready to unload their pepped-up frustrations on the Stormers.
The Johannesburg-based franchise was left frustrated by the postponement of their United Rugby Championship match against Glasgow Warriors this past weekend.
Two matches were postponed by the URC as a result of “gastroenteritis infections”.
The Warriors were due to face Lions in Johannesburg, with Irish Ulster scheduled to play the Sharks in Durban.
A URC statement at the weekend read: “Due to gastroenteritis infections it is not possible for Ulster or Glasgow Warriors to field full playing squads.”
Following the announcement, Sharks boss Marco Masotti has blasted URC officials in a now-deleted post on Twitter – suggesting that the points should be awarded to the South African sides.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys revealed the postponement is frustrating, especially in the wake of their narrow 37-39 loss to Ulster.
#⃣WATCH as @URCOfficial CEO Martin Anayi makes a startling suggestion that @UlsterRugby and @GlasgowWarriors brought the bugs with them that caused the postponement of their games in #SouthAfrica #Rugby 🏉#RugbyUnion🌍
#⃣https://t.co/12gQlcUKCo pic.twitter.com/jKf9AMyI28— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) October 25, 2022
“It was a little bit frustrating,” Redelinghuys said when asked about the URC’s decision.
“We had a great week and wanted to bounce back after the Ulster results.
“However, you can only control what you can control. So, if you can’t play you have to enjoy the weekend and focus on the next job.
“We are still waiting to hear what’s going to happen with the results given they were the ones who pulled out the game.”
The next challenge for Lions is a visit to Ellis Park by the defending-champion Stormers.
Both teams will be desperate to secure a win.
For the Stormers, it’s a chance to return to winning ways following the end of their 16-match unbeaten streak to Cardiff this past Saturday.
And for Lions, it could be the perfect opportunity to record their first home win of the season.
The Johannesburg-based side might face a Stormers team missing some key players – given that Manie Libbok, Sacha Mngomezulu and Evan Roos all joined the Springbok training camp.
“We are really not sure who they [Stormers] will field,” Redelinghuys said.
“All we know is that they suffered a defeat on tour, so it will be another massive South African derby.
“We can’t focus on who we going to play against and who we going to scrum against because we don’t know, so you have to focus on yourself and whatever is in front of us we have to deal with that.”
He added: “Stats have shown that we do struggles against South African teams and not just in terms of results but in performance.
“Definlaty something we are aware of and we do want to correct it. Think there is no better chance than at home and change the perception.”
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