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Refreshed Lions believe they have recipe to beat Sharks

rugby04 January 2024 14:53| © SuperSport
By:Brenden Nel
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Ricardo Loubscher © Getty Images

While there was so much focus on the coastal derbies over the festive period, the Emirates Lions believe their decision to postpone their festive derbies has helped them reset and refocus ahead of Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban.

Assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher said the team enjoyed the fact that they had the entire Christmas and New Years period off and believes it will help them against a desperate Sharks side that have won just one game in eight this season.

The Lions lost their only derby this year, against the DHL Stormers in Johannesburg, but have been on an upward trend and have found some form in recent weeks both home and away.

Now that they have had two weeks off, Loubscher believes that it will take them to Durban refreshed and ready for what awaits them.

“It was just to get away a bit and keep our main focus as the main focus - we are ready for this week and we are expecting a good performance,” he said.

While there is some belief up north that there is somewhat of an unfair advantage for the coastal sides over the Christmas period, Loubscher said the team’s decision to postpone their festive games was more to give them a “mental break” and allow them to spend the festive season with their families.

“We can’t speak for some of the coastal teams, but for us to mentally get that break was exceptional. We had the game experience last year so this timing to have the festive season off and get a mental break with family and friends has allowed us to reset and prepare well for the Sharks game,” he explained.

'GAME MANAGEMENT KEY'

The Lions decision to host their pre-season camp in Durban may help them with the conditions and Loubscher echoed his captain Marius Louw in reiterating game management to be key.

“In Durban a big part of the game is game management and you have to hold onto your position and if you don’t find yourself on the front foot, you need to make plans and that is where the kicking game comes into play. We need to make sure we play in the right areas and build scoreboard pressure.”

The Lions won’t be reading anything into the poor season the Sharks have had either.

“We don’t want to read anything into that or their game against the Stormers. It would be the biggest mistake to look where they are sitting on the log. Our big focus is on our processes and to get our performances right,” he said.

“We had momentum after our Newcastle game and while we got the right result, we weren’t happy with that performance so the focus for us is to get 80 minutes of a good performance and put the pressure on the opposition and turn that pressure into points.”

The Lions will name their side for the clash on Friday.

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