Lions coach Johan Ackermann will be enjoying the fact his team has a bye this week but you could almost hear the relief in his voice when he said “the bye couldn’t come at a better time.”
According to reports, Ackermann’s team have surprised all in the competition with their four wins in six games thus far and their fourth spot on the Vodacom Super Rugby log, and while many don’t expect them to be there when the competition reaches its business end, for now the Lions are simply enjoying themselves.
They know they got the rub of the green with refereeing decisions in the last two games, but the luck they created for themselves also plays a major part in the self-belief of a team that everyone has written off thus far this season.
Saturday’s game against the Reds was a special win for Ackermann and his sidekick Swys de Bruin.
Sport24
And with every week their belief keeps on going.
Ackermann is obviously hoping the team can retain the momentum after the break, but has been honest enough to admit the break, coming in week seven while other sides have had a break already, is very necessary for a side that leaves it all on the field every week.
“The momentum needs to stay and hopefully the players’ belief in each other will continue to grow,” Ackermann explains, “The biggest thing is to keep the guys fresh. Hopefully the guys who played in the Vodacom Cup came through well and didn’t pick up any injuries, I hope that these two weeks will be enough to sort out all the niggles.”
And it is important. Other than players such as Alwyn Hollenbach and Elton Jantjies who were in the Vodacom Cup last week, there are now worries about Franco van der Merwe, Coenie van Wyk and Deon van Rensburg. All three picked up injuries in the game against the Reds and while no medical report has been released just yet, the Lions are hoping a week of rehab will do them well.
The team will return close to full strength against the Crusaders in just more than a week and if ever there was a game that will test their resolve, this is it.
Already having won plaudits for their fighting strength, Ackermann is set to continue with his mantra of not talking about victories, but rather that the “players enjoy themselves”.
Just how long the success can last is anyone’s guess, but it is a ride that has their supporters crowing after returning to the competition this year after a year in the wilderness.
And with no overseas team having won in South Africa yet after six rounds this year, the Lions supporters can finally start talking about a fortress of their own.
Ackermann and his team may have used up their luck in the past few weeks, and the week off is a welcome relief for the team.
But come next week they will have to show more than simple enthusiasm and fighting spirit.
The Lions will also hope lock Franco van der Merwe is not sidelined for an extended period.
Van der Merwe left the field with an ankle injury in their 23-20 win over the Reds at Ellis Park last Saturday.
The Springbok will know more about the extent of the injury on Tuesday.
Two more players – fullback Coenie van Wyk and centre Deon van Rensburg – took big knocks against the Reds.
Coach Johan Ackermann said the trio could be out for a period of two weeks, so this weekend’s bye obviously comes just at the right time.
The Lions’ next game is against seven-times champions, the Crusaders, at Ellis Park next weekend and the rest period this week will be spent on re-energising the sore bodies after six straight games.
The Lions currently lie third on the overall log, having won four of their first six games.
Hope the injuries are not too serious.
Lions should be happy there best playmaker is not injured….Mr Berry!
Lions have one player and 15 assistants!!! The two oafs on the touch line are the cheer leaders.
2 @ Wallabie:
Frankly that coment is below the level of intelligence that you’ve displayed here previously.
You know as well as I do that there have been “home town” decisions in SR since the competition began, with the majority of them having been perpetrated by Australasian officials.
Now that the team all and sundry perceived would be the “whipping boys” in 2014 are not getting run over by all and sundry, and the ref’s have made some 50/50 calls in their favour, now every “Boots & All” expert wants to tell the world that the ref’s a cheat.
The turn for the Aussie ref’s revenge will no doubt come around sooner or later, but on the balance of things, I reckon the SA sides have been on the wrong side of ANZAC whistle blowers more than the other way around.
If you feel so strongly on the issue, petition SANZAR to re-instate neutral officials.
Wallabie is an ex Zimbo convict.
As such he is more easily confused than a chameleon in a smartie box.
Bad news from the Lions re Franco vd Merwe.
This just received via a media release:
“MEDIA RELEASE
INJURY UPDATE: Vodacom Super Rugby Week Seven
The Lions medical staff have released an injury update, following the Vodacom Super Rugby outfit’s 23-20 victory over the Reds at Ellis Park on Saturday evening.
Injury concerns relating to utility backs Coenie van Wyk and Deon van Rensburg were appeased on Monday as both are expected to recover ahead of next weekend’s clash against the Crusaders.
Unfortunately Springbok lock Franco van der Merwe sustained a severe ankle injury during Saturday’s match and was forced to leave the field.
He underwent surgery yesterday and will be out for six months as a result.
The Golden Lions Rugby Union management will do their utmost to ensure that Van der Merwe receives only the best possible medical treatment throughout his rehabilitation process.”
Cheers all.
Time to hit the road. Another late evening awaits.
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