VIDEO: Lions to spring a surprise to turn the tide
VIDEO: Desperate times call for desperate measures and the Lions might spring a surprise on the visiting Cardiff at home at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Speaking to the media after training on Wednesday attack coach Ricardo Loubscher hinted that the Lions might just play around with their dangerous backs to boost their attack.
The Lions are in a desperate race to shake their 11th spot in the standings and somehow maneuver their way into the play-off spots.
Indications are that flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse, a big boy who doesn’t shy away from contact but also a great spreader of the ball, might move to inside-centre at some stage of the game.
With the likes of Sanele Nohamba, Quan Horn, and Gianni Lombard in the mix, all of whom are quite comfortable in various positions in the backline, the Lions might just shake things up a little in a desperate attempt to score the maximum amount of points against Cardiff, a team 12th on the URC log.
“Having Sanele and Jordan, and even Gianni – we have playmakers that can play No. 10 and No. 15,” Loubscher explained.
“Jordan can also back up as a No. 12. It’s about making sure in the backfield we’ve got the right players that can give us kicking or running options.
“Our view is that we have Sanele there who has been really good for us over the last few games.
“But Jordan at 12 will bring something different with his physicality, his kicking, but also his playmaking skills.
“So, I think whether it’s from the first phase or general play, it is a good thing to have another playmaker there to get us over the gain line or maybe to shift the ball to our wings.
“And from there we can decide whether we want to have a go, or to kick behind them.”
Loubscher also cautioned that the Lions could not take this game against Cardiff lightly. Despite their position on the table, they have managed to amass 11 bonus points.
Losing only two games by more than seven points, they are still a real threat and complacency will be the death of the Lions.
In Thinus de Beer Cardiff has one of the top points scorers in the competition (fourth) with 108 points.
He is a flyhalf with a very accurate kicking boot and the Lions should steer clear of conceding any unnecessary penalties as the South African will punish them.
De Beer has earned his corn since arriving at Cardiff, starting all 19 games for them this season. Remarkably, he has been on the field for all but 82 minutes of the campaign.
“We’ve certainly got our money’s worth out of him,” said Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt.
“He’s been excellent. What you see in terms of his effort out there is a reflection of what he does in the week.
“He’s been a great addition to the club on and off the pitch.”
