'There is only so much a coach can do'
REACTION: The Lions players will have a hard look at themselves in the mirror after their latest defeat in the United Rugby Championship.
The Johannesburg side went down 10-32 to the Stormers at home on Saturday. It was their fourth defeat in a row to South African opposition in the last few weeks.
Ivan van Rooyen’s team were poor in most areas of the game, particularly in defence where their weaknesses were exposed by the Capetonians.
“There is only so much a coach can do in terms of systems and the defensive system,” said Lions captain Jaco Kriel after the match.
“If you miss a tackle, it is not a system or the team, it’s between you and the other guys.
“In terms of missed tackles I think the guys must take personal responsibility and we must pride ourselves and be better.
“Losing four games in a row is never easy and I think with any team or business, the morale will be a bit down.”
Van Rooyen said turnover ball remains a big problem for his side.
“If you look at the context sometimes, it starts with ineffective rucking and losing the ball and then forcing us into scramble defence,” said Van Rooyen.
“Then it just stresses us even more, whether it is first phase or simple attack.
“Because we conceded so much turnover ball it really put the system and the individual under stress and then to miss 20 [tackles] is never ideal.
“I don’t think there was a considerable decline in the effort or the physicality there. I think today [Saturday] was how we conceded that turnover and then that put us under stress.”
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Van Rooyen said they will be looking at the Stormers’ turnaround after their defeat to the Lions in December for inspiration ahead of their away fixture against Irish giants Leinster.
“Speaking to Dobbo [John Dobson] after the game he described a similar to what I am feeling. I had a good discussion with him around how they felt then [after the 19-37 defeat] and how they are feeling now,” said Van Rooyen.
“I think that is a good example that it is fixable and after we gave them a good hiding there they haven’t lost since then.
“We have to take the positives from what is working and we have to fix it through training and our responsibility and through honesty and one or two personal changes.
“It’s a great challenge to play Leinster in Ireland. If you look at the record, they are the most successful side.
“Even though they are playing without 12 or 13 Ireland players, I still think they are the in-form team in the competition.
“The best way to learn is to experience it first-hand and there is probably not a lot of people in today’s squad that has played against teams of that calibre.
“It’s a great challenge for us and a great opportunity for us to go out there and really fix what we need to fix.”
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