With all the emotion surrounding their last week and the loss of their teammate Hyron Andrews, the 10bet Lions have admitted they haven’t set themselves specific goals, as they normally would on a tour of this nature.
The Lions played their first Investec Champions’ Cup game against La Rochelle last Saturday, something that was meant to be a celebration in itself, but was overshadowed understandably by the shock death of Andrews 24 hours earlier.
Now they have to refocus and face table-topping Edinburgh this weekend in Scotland, followed by Glasgow Warriors next Friday - with both their opposition teams still unbeaten in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this season.
Scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys admitted that while they would normally have a goal of how many points they want to get out of the tour, as they would any tour, this tour is a very different thing altogether and as such they are just taking it as it comes.
“We have our goals for the team. It was like playing the Champions Cup, but it was our first Champions Cup game as well. There were a lot of firsts last week,” Redelinghuys said.
“Now we have to refocus on the URC and then play Edinburgh and Glasgow, two teams on tour just before the November break. For the URC, it's two tough games for us. We're under no illusions as to what will be needed for this and to get the focus for this week.”
Redelinghuys added that while the team is still processing the grief of losing Andrews, in a way there was some form of closure within the team ranks that will allow them to focus on their next two games before returning home to be with Andrews’ family and take care of the funeral arrangements and have time to grieve properly.
“I must say, because last week was handled so well, I think to a certain extent there was closure. And with that, there comes a refocus. Our boys are really determined to have a good season and we know touring is a big part of a successful campaign for the season. We haven't toured well.
“That is a point that has been made to the group. The last two seasons, we've had a couple of draws, but we haven't had victories as much as we wanted to. So we know there is a focus on us to travel well this year if we want to give ourselves a good chance. So the focus has been on it.
“Like you said, it's different circumstances, tough circumstances to get that focus. But I've been really proud of the boys. When it's boots on, it's switch on. When it's walk through time or meeting time, it's then to switch on, be really present, be really connected and do the job at hand while still being really respectful to the circumstances.”
And now that they will face Edinburgh and Glasgow, the Lions are just looking to get as much out of the two games as they can.
“We want to win or target games or any of those. We know we need to get points on tour. We know we need to do whatever we can to get points. We said these two teams we're facing, I think, are the only two unbeaten teams, if I'm not mistaken.
“We are under no illusions as to what it will take from us. We're not going to say we're going to aim for five points this weekend and five points next weekend. We want to get as many points as we can get out of these two games. And just focus on what we need to get done on the day to give ourselves the best chance.”
Back home the Lions are in contact with Andrews’ family to help with support and funeral arrangements when the team gets home.