Cornered Lions to show some pride

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee believes that the off-field difficulties will make the Golden Lions a tougher prospect this weekend.

The Johannesburg union are currently dealing with a number of challenges in the wake of their relegation from Super Rugby last week, but Coetzee believes that the situation may make the Currie Cup clash at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday a tougher prospect for his side.

"It is tough times but that does not take anything away from how good the Lions team is and how well they can play.

"Tough times often bring a team together rather than pull them apart, and we have respect for the Lions team we face this weekend," he said.

Coetzee said that although the union is currently grappling with some important issues off the field, the Currie Cup champions still pose a significant threat on the field and added that his team will have to be clinical, especially in the set-pieces.

"The fact of the matter is that they are going through a tough time at the moment in terms of the future of players, and I have great respect for that.

"I think they have a good team that is well-coached and a happy team, and the union must sort out the other issues.

"They have got a very good set-piece. They have a fantastic scrum, you saw against the Sharks how powerful they can be, they have got a great line-out and intelligent backs," he said.

The Western Province coach has been boosted by the inclusion of Siya Kolisi and Juan de Jongh in his side this weekend, while Duane Vermeulen will continue to work himself back to full fitness by stretching his playing time out to an hour.

"I pushed it already last week, he [Vermeulen] was supposed to play for 30 minutes, but fortunately it went well and we are definitely looking at 60 minutes this weekend," he said.

Despite these positives, Coetzee knows that they will have to be at their best if they are to beat what is actually a very settled Golden Lions side at home.

"There is no team that goes there and wins easily, I have said it before in Super Rugby too - this Lions side has been unfortunate to have lost closely, they lost yes, they only won three games in Super Rugby, but the majority they lost within seven points.

"That same group of players are playing together again in the Currie Cup, so we have got to pitch up, play well and make sure that we take the opportunities we create this weekend," he said.

By Michael de Vries