Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen was particularly proud of his team’s game management in difficult circumstances in the 38-14 United Rugby Championship win over the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The home side’s tries came courtesy of PJ Botha, skipper Francke Horn, Edwill van der Merwe, Richard Kriel, Jarod Cairns and Gianni Lombard.
The Sharks answered through late consolation tries by Ethan Hooker and Siya Kolisi. The score at halftime was 19-0.
A deluge in the first half make conditions tricky but could not put a damper on a dominant Lions performance.
Rowan Callaghan
“I’m unbelievably proud of the work rate, performance. It’s probably the best we’ve played in the sense of game management plus understanding how we want to play for the circumstance, for everyone,” Van Rooyen said at the post-match media conference.
“We put a huge emphasis on work rate this week. They showed against the Bulls that they are fit, they are tough, they are quick, so I’m really proud of the effort.”
While he was full of praise for the performance, he felt the last five minutes, when they allowed the Sharks to score, had brought his players back down to earth.
“Obviously disappointed in that, letting them back in. We’ve changed the way we’ve trained the last month, so it’s important to keep on focusing on that, focusing on what’s working for us. Make sure we get the small things right. I can promise you we won’t be complacent,” Van Rooyen said.
Asked the reason for the improved defensive performance of late, the Lions mentor admitted it was a big work-on.
“It wasn’t the fact that we didn’t work on it hard enough. We didn’t work well and smart enough in the system. I think we’ve been pretty clear on the expectation in the system.
“The guys have responded very well and the decision-making has really improved there. That obviously complements the defence then,” he said.
For skipper Horn, getting off to a great start had been key against their rivals from the coast.
“Whole week we spoke about a good start,” he said. “Last week we were 17-0 down after 10 minutes. And to see that type of intensity and physicality the first 10 minutes was really rewarding. And then to score two tries obviously is rewarding for all that amount of work.
“I think the playmakers, especially the backs, put us in the right areas of the field and we got away almost every time with points, so really proud of that effort.
"There was just a feeling of hunger and focus. Credit to the guys, they really played well today.”
Van Rooyen expects the Sharks to bite back in next weekend’s return match at Kings Park Stadium in Durban.
“They’re a proud team and we know they’re going to fight back with everything that they have … Just mentally they’re probably going to be 10, 15% better anyway. It’s a big, big week in prep for us,” he said.
The bonus-point win was the Lions’ third consecutive victory over the Sharks in the URC. They had started the day in 12th, while the Sharks were in fourth.