{"id":21335,"date":"2013-07-23T18:11:13","date_gmt":"2013-07-23T16:11:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/solomons-challenge-i-dont-think-the-lions-are-a-better-team\/"},"modified":"2013-07-23T18:11:13","modified_gmt":"2013-07-23T16:11:13","slug":"solomons-challenge-i-dont-think-the-lions-are-a-better-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/solomons-challenge-i-dont-think-the-lions-are-a-better-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Solomons Challenge \u2013 \u201cI don\u2019t think the Lions are a better team.\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Announcing that Old Muirite Darron Nell had been named captain of the Southern Kings<\/a> squad to take on the MTN Lions at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday 26 July, 2013, in the first of two promotion relegation matches for the right to play Super Rugby until 2016, Director of Rugby, Alan Solomons expressed his opinion that the Lions are NOT a better team than the Southern Kings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Nell was called up after Andries Strauss broke his left hand during practice on Friday last week.<\/p>\n

\u201cDarron has done a tremendous job for us over the years in a leadership role, whenever he has captained a side he has done so successfully, and after giving the matter careful consideration we feel he is the best man to lead the side in this big game,\u201d said Solomons.<\/p>\n

Ronnie Cooke will take over the leadership of the back line as vice captain. \u201cHe has, throughout the season, had a very influential role and has played nearly every single game for us, and we are very fortunate to have someone of that ilk taking leadership of the backs,\u201d ciontinued Solomons.<\/p>\n

\u201cAndries was the one player who was not considered because of his broken hand, but it has presented a great opportunity for Shane Gates to come up to the starting fifteen,\u201d said Director of Rugby, Alan Solomons.
\nSolomons said there was a fair amount of consistency in the team that had been selected, with many pairings having played together throughout the season. The Front pack remains relatively unchanged, with Schalk Ferreira, Bandise Maku and Kevin Buys, while loose trio Wimpie van der Walt, Jacques \u201cVleis\u201d Engelbrecht and Cornell du Preez will be looking to make a significant impact in play.<\/p>\n

According to Solomons the promotion relegation matches are unprecedented as Super Rugby has never hosted a promotion\/relegation series of matches before.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis match is critical to both franchises, because the consequences of these matches are extremely serious. The winner of these two matches remains in Super Rugby and the side that loses is out of Super Rugby,\u201d said Solomons.<\/p>\n

Head coach Matt Sexton said; \u201cI think the general feeling we have is excitement, it\u2019s a huge occasion, it\u2019s like a test match or world cup final. The guys are looking forward to the occasion,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Sexton said he did not want to give too much away about the game plan. \u201cThe times where we have been successful on the score board are times where we\u2019ve been very clinical in our approach,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

When asked if discipline was high on the agenda it was significant to see every single player at the press conference nodding their heads.<\/p>\n

Supporters are requested to wear black to show their support on Friday.<\/p>\n

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In Johannesburg<\/a>, Johan Ackermann, MTN Lions head coach, also announced his team to play the Southern Kings on Friday in Port Elizabeth<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ackermann has included all three of the players returning from other franchises after their loan stints during this year\u2019s Super Rugby tournament. Elton Jantjies, Franco van der Merwe and Martin Bezuidenhout will start for the MTN Lions.<\/p>\n

The Lions will also welcome back Hendrik Roodt (German Measels) and Micheal Bondesio (Calf) from injury\/illness. Warren Whiteley will also return to the team.<\/p>\n

Only three players on the Lions team do not have Super Rugby Experience.<\/p>\n

Southern Kings Team to play the Lions at NMB Stadium on Friday 26 July 2013 at 7:10 pm:<\/strong><\/p>\n