The Lions want to stay true to their running rugby identity on their United Rugby Championship (URC) European tour, but if the circumstances dictate it, they will adapt to playing tighter.
After completing an eight-try 55-21 romp of Edinburgh at Ellis Park this past Saturday, the Lions now shift their attention to the Dragons in Wales who will be their first test away from home this season. As one of the three unbeaten sides in the URC, the Johannesburg side will have a big target on their back in Europe.
According to scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys, they must be smarter in different circumstances, but that doesn’t necessarily mean moving away from what has been working for the side.
“We need to stay true to our DNA, but if the weather doesn’t allow us to play as expansive as we do at Ellis Park, then we have to adapt.”
“We need to stay true to our DNA, but if the weather doesn’t allow us to play as expansive as we do at Ellis Park, then we have to adapt,” he said.
“But we also need to stay true to ourselves and not play within ourselves, but give the guys freedom to play what is in front of them. The set pieces, well I am the scrum coach so I have to say this, it’s a big focus-point for us whether we are here (in Johannesburg) or going overseas.
“The pitches are a little different, a lot of them are 3G that side, so there must be awareness about that. But we are looking forward to this trip now and just keeping our feet on the ground.”
Your Emirates Lions touring squad🌍🦁
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) October 8, 2024
Wishing coach Cash and his team safe travels as they head off to Newport, Parma and Leinster.#ForOurCity@vodacom #URC | #HitsDifferent#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/wzyN7bvygQ
The Lions announced a 28-man touring squad yesterday with flyhalf Kade Wolhuter, who had a bright URC start in Johannesburg, excluded because of an injury. He joins Morne Brandon, Morgan Naude, Ruan Venter, Tapiwa Mafura and Siba Qoma on the sidelines. Utility backs Gianni Lombard and Richard Kriel returns from their respective injuries with young prop RF Schoeman also included in the squad.
Redelinghuys confirmed Wolhuter has a strange injury and the doctors had to go back to the books to find out exactly what it is and it’s unknown for how long he will be out.
#Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys sheds more light on the Kade Wolhuter injury and surgery of Ruan Venter ahead of their first #URC European tour pic.twitter.com/11fwCqlNrS
— Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) October 8, 2024
“It doesn’t feel like it’s long term, but we unfortunately can’t take a player over that is not ready for the first game. We are hopeful that he might join somewhere if his rehab goes well. He is a player who made a massive step-up throughout the Currie Cup and he is building with confidence
“He suits the team well and is playing lekker Lions brand rugby. It’s sad to have him a little bit injured, but it creates another gap for someone to come in.”
The feedback the Lions got on the shoulder surgery of hard-working loose forward Ruan Venter is that his operation went better than expected, but his return will take a bit longer.