The Lions’ defence and discipline will be firmly in the spotlight when they take on the Blues at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues have made the most clean line-breaks thus far this season, with 22, but last weekend the Vodacom Bulls showed how great “in your face” defence could derail the Aucklanders’ attacking prowess.
And looking back at the results between these two teams, the Blues have always scored a lot of points against the Lions – on average 37 per match, which is the most points they score against any other team in Vodacom Super Rugby.
With a tackle success rate of 88%, the Lions’ defence is pretty solid, but they will have to improve their discipline otherwise they could find themselves on the back foot for most of the time. No team has conceded more than the Lions’ 41 penalties this season, and they also lead the stakes in terms of yellow cards, with three.
Interestingly, two survivors from 2006, when the Lions recorded their first and only victory over the Blues, will be in action this weekend – they are Willie Wepener and Tony Woodcock. Was it not for injury, the Aucklanders could’ve had three, with Jerome Kaino and Keven Mealamu also still in action.
The teams are:
- Lions: Coenie van Wyk, JW Jonker, Deon van Rensburg, Stefan Watermeyer, Courtnall Skosan, Marnitz Boshoff, Faf de Klerk, Warren Whiteley (captain), Willie Britz, Jaco Kriel, Franco van der Merwe, Franco Mostert, Julian Redelinghuys, Robbie Coetzee, Schalk van der Merwe. Replacements: Willie Wepener, Corne Fourie, Ruan Dreyer, MB Lusaseni, Warwick Tecklenburg, Ross Cronje, Elton Jantjies, Ruan Combrinck.
- Blues: Benji Marshall, Frank Halai, George Moala, Pita Ahki, Charles Piutau, Chris Noakes, Piri Weepu, Steven Luatua, Luke Braid (captain), Patrick O’Connor, Tom Donnelly, Patrick Tuipulotui, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons, Tony Woodcock. Replacements: Tom McCartney, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta’avao, Liaki Moli, Jordan Manihera, Bryn Hall, Simon Hickey, Jackson Willison.
Lions v Blues
- Date: Saturday, 15 March
- SA Time: 15h00
- Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
- Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)
- Assistant referees: Christie du Preez (South Africa), Francois de Bruin (South Africa)
- Television match official: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
All fixtures (South African kick-off times):
Friday, 14 March:
- 08h35: Chiefs v DHL Stormers – Hamilton
- 10h40: Rebels v Crusaders – Melbourne
Saturday, 15 March:
- 05h35: Hurricanes v Toyota Cheetahs
- 08h35: Highlanders v Force – Dunedin
- 10h40: Brumbies v Waratahs – Canberra
- 17h05: Cell C Sharks v Reds – Durban
- 15h00: Lions v Blues – Johannesburg
Bye: Vodacom Bulls
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