VIDEO: Now Lions have a 'sound base' to build from
The Lions may still be winless in 2022, but they have finally shown glimpses of the team they can be.
Leinster surged four points clear at the top of the United Rugby Championship standings, beating the Lions 21-13 at the RDS Arena at the weekend.
However, the final margin is what resulted in the upsurge in belief in the South African franchise’s camp – given that most bookmakers had them down to lose by 25 points or more.
With a tackle success rate that shot up from 75 percent (in their 10-32 loss to the Stormers) to 90 percent and conceding just eight penalties, the ‘attitude’ and desire to play of the players were the most marked difference from their performances in the previous month’s domestic derbies.
“We managed to get square on – setting up quicker – and the [improved] attitude was evident to see,” coach Ivan van Rooyen told @rugby365com in his assessment of the trip to Ireland.
He admitted they pride themselves on their physicality in the set pieces and described it as a game of ‘muscle versus speed’.
“During patches in the game we managed to put Leinster under pressure in the set pieces,” Van Rooyen said.
Admitting that ‘initially’ Leinster caught them unawares with the speed of their restarts and general play.
“We adapted well, but it is great for the guys – especially the youngsters – what the intensity and speed of the URC is,” the coach added.
“I am proud of the character and proud of the way the team fought for 80 minutes.
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The skipper, Jaco Kriel, said while the scoreline will mean the players will start having a belief in their ability, the key is now consistency.
“We had a shocker against the Bulls,” he said of their 10-34 loss in the Trans-Jukskei derby back in January, adding: “We bounced back really well [losing just 13-21 in the return match a week later].
“However, we can’t go good-bad-good-bad.
“In this match, the players really stood up for each other.”
He spoke of the “massive” energy the young players brought to the team.
“The way they played, the way they communicated and the enthusiasm they had.”
He added that going away, on tour, for a week contributed to their performance.
“The team was buzzing,” he told @rugby365com.
“It is good to experience the vibes and mentally it makes a massive difference in the team if the guys are enjoying each other’s company.
“Then, when you cross the four lines [go onto the pitch] you have to switch on and earn each other’s respect.
“The guys pulled together and now the challenge is to build from here.
“We must believe that we are good enough.”
The good news is that specialist lock Reinhard Nothnagel has recovered from his injury and will be available when the Lions start the home leg of their campaign against Cardiff at Ellis Park on March 13.
Simon Dionisio is another second row forward returning from injury, while young Lunga Ncube made his URC debut against Leinster – easing the second row concerns considerably.
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