‘Lions playing NZ-like rugby’
The Highlanders are fully aware what awaits them when they tackle Johan Ackermann’s dynamic Lions team this weekend.
|||If last year’s performance by the Lions didn’t make the Highlanders sit up and take notice, then the start made by Johan Ackermann’s team to this year’s competition has certainly got their attention.
Accolades from legends for the Emirates Lions https://t.co/WdSvCPsXbh
— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyUnion) March 5, 2016
While the Highlanders went on to win their first Super Rugby title last year, they didn’t manage to beat the Lions - the home team winning 28-23 at Ellis Park.
But in an exciting game it took two late penalties by Elton Jantjies to guide his side to the victory; that said, the Lions did out-score the Highlanders three tries to two.
But it’s been this year’s start to the competition by the Lions that has the Highlanders on their toes. The Lions will arrive in Dunedin for the match tomorrow having already registered two away wins - against the Sunwolves in Tokyo and the Chiefs in Hamilton, while the hosts have lost to the Blues and beaten the Hurricanes.
Home team flyhalf Lima Sopoaga told the Otago Daily Times the Lions are a team to be taken very seriously. “They’re pretty big, being a South African team ... and they’re pretty direct and run pretty hard.
History made as the Emirates Lions beat the Chiefs in Hamilton - final score 36-32 #Lions4Life
— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyUnion) March 5, 2016
“They’re a quality set-piece team, big forwards, some pretty silky backs, a nine (Faf de Klerk) who is pretty sharp as well. They tend to throw the ball around and have some fun with it. They played an up-tempo game against the Chiefs so they’ll probably come down here under the roof and expect to throw the ball around a bit, too.”
Highlanders assistant coach Tony Brown likened Ackermann’s team to a New Zealand side.
“They are a little bit like a traditional South African team but they are also trying to play like a New Zealand side - very dangerous on the counter-attack and turnover, with the ball in hand and have got threats everywhere.
“Then they have the scrum and maul threat that most South African teams have. They are going to be a massive challenge.”
Indeed, the clash under roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin should be as intriguing and as closely contested as the matches both the Lions and Highlanders played last weekend. Ackermann’s men edged the Chiefs in Hamilton (36-32) while the Highlanders beat the Hurricanes 17-16.
Both Ackermann and Highlanders boss Jamie Joseph will name their line-ups today. The match kicks off at 8.35am (SA time) on Saturday. – The Star