'It will still hit me': Bok lock opens up on Highveld return
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok lock Jason Jenkins knows that altitude will be a factor as he travels to South Africa with Leinster this week.
The Irish giants will face the Lions at Ellis Park this weekend before they come up against Jenkins’ old team, the Bulls, at Loftus Versfeld a week later.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has named a largely inexperienced squad for the trip and for most of the players it will be their first experience playing on the Highveld.
Even Jenkins admitted that he will have to get used to the conditions again.
“It’s something you just have to experience. Also, you don’t want to blow it up and give it too much credit,” Jenkins told the Irish Independent.
“Once you get there and have a session or two, you sort of blow it out and get used to it – you get that second wind and you’re actually fine.
“I’d say it will still hit me. I haven’t played there for a couple of years now.
“I guess when you’re from there, you’re always training at that level and playing there, and you don’t realise the effect it has.
“I haven’t really had much opportunity to go back and see how it is until now, so it will be interesting.
“Initially, it just feels always [tough]. At Loftus, in the tunnel, there’s a big sign as you walk onto the field that says, ‘1,350 metres altitude . . . it matters’.
“That’s something to put off the opposition, but it’s all mental.
“There’s a lot of new guys there [in Pretoria], but I still know a good few of them, especially guys that have come through from a younger level and are playing consistently now at senior level.”
#ICYMI: Leinster have revealed their squad ahead of two matches in South Africa👇#URC #Leinster #Lions #Bulls https://t.co/z8l2U2O1JD
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Leinster’s ‘unspoken goal’
Leinster will head to South Africa undefeated and despite missing several international stars, Jenkins said they have big goals for the trip.
“For us, it is about keeping that standard,” said Jenkins.
“We want to stay undefeated for the season. I think it is definitely an unspoken goal amongst the players.
“Even though we already qualified and we got the home quarterfinal, these games are still important.
“You never know with injuries, Guys playing this week could make the step up into Europe [Champions Cup] or the URC play-offs.
“Everybody has got to be ready and everybody needs to know their roles.
“It is very important to take these games seriously as we do and I think that is the main focus for us in these next two weeks.”
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Additional source: Irish Independent
