Currie Cup
Mitchell keeps Lions continuity
2010-09-30 16:15
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Deon van Rensburg (Gallo Images)
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Johannesburg - Currie Cup Coach-of-the-Month for September, John Mitchell, made only the one anticipated change to the Lions starting lineup for Saturday's decisive clash with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Mitchell, who was on Wednesday awarded for his team's impressive run of form in recent, included Deon van Rensburg on the wing with Michael Killian shifting to fullback in place of injured Jaco Taute.
Van Rensburg's place on the bench will be filled by former Blue Bulls utility back Marius Delport.
In another boost to the side, eighthman Warren Whiteley has recovered from injury, but Mitchell opted to stick with the loose-trio combination that stood their ground against the Sharks last week.
Whiteley has been included among the replacements in Johan Snyman's place, while Trevor Hall will provide second-row cover.
A great contributing factor in the team's success lies in the few changes Mitchell has made to his relatively inexperienced squad since taking up the position of head coach a month ago.
"Continuity is very handy and I guess it is something I've been working towards since I've come here, as it is important to create familiarisation and cohesion among the team," said Mitchell.
"I think it is probably the best way to create team work. It certainly helps."
In contrast to previous seasons, it has become apparent that the players who take the field for the Lions play for each other and take great pride in their performances.
But because of their poor start to the competition, the Lions have been fighting to stay in contention for a semifinal berth for the past six weeks and, according to captain Franco van der Merwe, the fear of failure has been replaced by a mood of great expectation.
"Now we actually have something to play for, and that is a place in the semis, so I think there is more excitement rather than pressure," said Van der Merwe.
"The guys are really looking forward to perform and to do well."
As for the challenge of facing a pack of forwards, who are both feared and respected by most teams in the competition, Van der Merwe said his men knew what to expect and were ready for the task at hand.
"They've always been a side that show a lot of attitude on the field and they showed that when they beat Province at Newlands, and they also showed it in last year's semifinal when they beat the Sharks," he said.
"It is going to be tough and it will always be as long as they have that attitude up front."
Teams:
Lions:
15. Michael Killian, 14. Jannie Boshoff, 13. Waylon Murray, 12.
Doppies la Grange, 11. Deon van Rensburg, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Jano Vermaak,
8. Josh Strauss, 7. Wikus van Heerden, 6. Derick Minnie, 5. Franco van der
Merwe(captain), 4. George Earle, 3. Ross Geldenhuys, 2. Martin Bezuidenhout, 1.
JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16. Edgar Marutlulle, 17.
Wayne Swart, 18. Trevor Hall, 19. Warren Whiteley, 20. JP Joubert, 21. Burton
Francis, 22. Marius Delport.
Free State Cheetahs:
15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Philip Snyman, 13.
Robert Ebersohn, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Corné Uys, 10. Louis Strydom, 9. Tewis de
Bruyn, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Christoffel Philippus Van der Walt, 6. Hendro
Scholtz, 5. Waltie Vermeulen, 4. Francois Uys, 3. Willem Petrus Nel, 2. Adriaan
Strauss (captain), 1. Coenie Oosthuizen
Replacements: 16. Skipper
Badenhorst, 17. Kobus Calldo, 18. Izak van der Westhuizen, 19. Kabamba Floors,
20. Tertius Carse, 21. Sias Ebersohn, 22. Riaan Smit