For many, an Auto & General Lions
Super 14 win against Crusaders on Saturday sounds impossible. But the assurance from the Lions in New Zealand is that they will go all out to not only redeem themselves after last week’s drubbing, but to win in Christchurch.
“We really look forward to the match,” coach Dick Muir said about the clash against the best team in the history of Super Rugby.
He pointed out that the Lions had lost against a Waratahs team that was ‘red hot’ and had done a few things poorly.
Muir also underlined that the home side had some new structures and personnel – and their unexpected defeat against the Reds in the second round will no doubt give the Lions confidence.
The Lions, even at their very best, looked vulnerable in many areas. But the fact is that they have been competitive in all four their matches before last week’s 73-12 drubbing to the Waratahs.
If the Lions can improve their defence, they will have gone a long way to rectifying the unfair perception that they are simply cannot fodder – and if they can also finish their opportunities which have cost them at least six tries so far, they will be a handful even if they don’t win.
- While the Stormers and the Bulls will be under scrutiny after their respective surges to the first two places on the Super 14 log, this weekend has the added bonus of a derby at Newlands where the resurgent Cheetahs will try to halt the Stormers’ climb on Saturday.
Coming back from a disastrous tour to Australasia last year the Cheetahs did a few things right and fared better at home – and then reached the final of the Currie Cup.
This year, they have already clocked two
Super 14 wins – and they will be keen to continue that with an away win as well as a victory against the Reds next week before they leave on their four-match overseas tour the following week.
But can they?
The Cheetahs deservedly beat the Hurricanes at home two weeks ago before their bye last weekend. The very impressive Stormers smashed the self-same Hurricanes last weekend. And in that difference, one would suggest, the outcome of Saturday’s match is locked up.
But as the Stormers have promised to deceive earlier this year, so they can do again. And equally, so can the Cheetahs lift themselves.
The Stormers should win. Their defence has been immaculate; their play at the breakdown impressive as were their lineouts; their backs have come to the party with the quicker service of Dewalt Duvenage at scrumhalf; and all that remains is a scrum that is constantly solid.
A week or two ago one would have said the scrum is the Cheetahs’ strength, but the Hurricanes exposed them to some extent in this facet a fortnight ago. And ultimately it will be these imponderables that will decide the outcome.
- The Bulls have been vulnerable on defence, and if they show the same lack of application in this facet on Friday night against a Hurricanes side that must be hurting after two defeats from two in their South African outings, the Bulls’ unbeaten 14-match run at Loftus will be gone.
However, they have also showed the world that the perception that they are simply a dour kicking side is devoid of truth.
Playing the new rules to their own benefit, scrumming much better than last year, and with confidence abounding they are the team to beat. But they must beware that the confidence does not become over-confidence or even arrogance.
From an enjoyment point of view, one can only hope for another try from Gerhard van den Heever like last weekend; good support and interplay between forwards and backs; and a backline that continues to take the right options as they have done virtually throughout.
The match could be the true gauge of how their scrum is going after some let-downs last year – and this could be the facet that will give an indication of just how they will be to beat further on.
- The Sharks defy belief. They are good enough, but not good enough to win.
The senior players have to been setting the standard or example, and until this happens, they will remain in the struggling category – even if they win, which they should do on Saturday.
The Highlanders are lucky to be fourth from the bottom, and will be tired after their flight back from South Africa. A first win should go the Sharks and with it a move up on the log.
- The Blues are at home to the Brumbies on Friday and the Western Force host the Waratahs in Perth on Saturday.
The Blues, languishing near the bottom, cannot afford a third loss in five matches. Should they not grasp this opportunity at home, their season could be gone if a place in the semi-final had been their aim.
The Brumbies, on present form, should win this match and do so comfortably against a team that hasn’t really put two good halves together despite their obvious potential.
Even at home, the Western Force’s performances to date indicate that they will go down again against a Waratahs side that looked very good against the Lions – and four from six will put the New South Wales side in a strong position and right up there with the leaders.
Fixtures:Friday March 19 (SA times, home teams first): Blues v Brumbies, 8.35am; Bulls v Hurricanes, 7.10pm
Saturday March 20: Crusaders v A&G Lions, 6.30am; Highlanders,v Sharks, 8.35am; Western Force v Waratahs, 1.10pm; Stormers v Cheetahs, 5.05pm (Reds and Chiefs, byes)
