Back to basics for Lions
The Lions may be best known for their cavalier approach to the game, but they are looking at a more 'conservative' approach on the Australian leg of their tour.
Coach Johan Ackermann, speaking in a teleconference call ahead of their Super Rugby Round Six encounter with the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday, said his team will have to re-look their approach after their poor start to the season.
While the Lions will not creep into their collective shells, his team will have to go back to basics - having won just once in five starts.
"Firstly we must get our set pieces, the scrums and line-outs, sorted out," Ackermann said from the team's training base in Australia.
He admitted that an expansive approach is the preferable style of play.
"We have seen teams like the Chiefs, Brumbies and Highlanders that throw the ball around," the coach said, adding: "There is a time and place for that.
"However, now is the time for us to get the basics right and be very direct.
Ackermann said they were bitterly disappointed with their 6-34 loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch last week - after having beaten the Blues 13-10 in their opening tour match in Albany a fortnight ago.
The Lions lost their first three matches of the season - to the Hurricanes (8-22), Sharks (12-29) and Stormers (19-22).
But last week's loss in Christchurch was, by some distance, their wort performance.
Ackermann said the mistake they made and the level of intensity they played at were the biggest disappointments and that they have to rectify against the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday.
"The most frustrating aspect for us is that we create opportunities, but didn't turn them into points," Ackermann said, adding: "According to the statistics we make more linebreaks and beat more defenders than other sides, but we don't finish those opportunities.
"That is a concern and we are constantly working on that."
He admitted that one win from give starts is obviously not the start they wanted.
"Ideally we wanted to win those home games before we came on tour. However, I won't mind if there is a turnaround from last year [when the Lions started well at home and then had a slump].
"Maybe after the poor start we can finish well."
He felt that despite the poor run at home, they could still around the season by winning on the road.
"There are still a lot of games back in South Africa that can change our season," he said - with nine of their remaining 11 games in South Africa and six of those at their home base, Ellis Park.
"However, we must focus on this tour. If we can win the next two games [against the Rebels this week and Reds next week] it can still be a successful tour.
"There is still a lot to play for and we haven't given up on our goal of having a successful season.
"We would have had less pressure if we won one or two games at home and the next two matches will determine how much pressure we will have when we return to South Africa.
"We always knew we had a very tough draw, with nine games before our first bye, which include this tour, but is part of the competition.
"The guys are building nice team spirit on this tour and that should also help when we get back home."
Ackermann said the Rebels, who have two wins from four starts, are a very good side this year - despite also sitting outside the top 10 on the standings.
"The major difference from Rebels teams in the past is that they always had a number of imports from abroad," the Lions mentor said, adding: "Now they are an Australian side that plays more for each other and there's more unity.
"They have already beaten the Crusaders and Western Force.
"In our analysis we realised they are playing outstanding rugby and were in the contest in all their matches and they never give up - they push you for 80 minutes.
"We will have to be on top of our game to get a result [win]."
Ackermann said they have identified one or two things in the Rebels' defence that hopefully the Lions can exploit, but it comes down to the fact that they must be more direct.
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