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New Auto and General Lions recruit Jonathan Mokuena believes his team will be the surprise of the season in this year’s Vodacom Super 14, and warned future opponents that they better not take the Lions lightly this year.
Dick Muir’s side will start the competition as rank outsiders, but Mokuena believes the winds of change that have swept through Ellis Park might just work in the team’s favour.
“It’s lekker, there’s a great vibe around here,” Mokuena told Supersport.com, “The guys are hungry and usually when there’s hunger, there’s danger.
“The danger is that there’s a pride of Lions hungry to prove themselves. We know that good things await just around the corner for us and there’s a hunger in the team to not be mediocre this year. We want to push our own standards higher.”
Mokuena, who led Griqualand West to their Vodacom Cup title last year, before a stunning run in the Absa Currie Cup, sees a few similarities to his former province.
“We were in a similar position, and the vibe was the same. Half the team was new at Griquas, the same as it is here. There’s a new vibe in the Lions and that’s good.”
Mokuena may already posess the leadership qualities needed to captain a side, but he first needs to establish himself in his favoured No 8 position. This, with the quality of young loose forwards at the Lions, may be a difficult proposition, but not one that worries him.
“It’s great. I like competition, it brings out the best in me. Also, Dick made it very clear on day one that nobody will simply walk in and claim their jersey in this team. That’s the secret why we will do well. We have a big squad and everyone knows they have to perform if they are to do well.
“I’ve got to take time and set my sights on improving my game as a player. But that is where I believe I have a small advantage coming from Sevens rugby, whether it be my defence or attacking abilities, or the way I run support lines, you have to be sharper at Sevens. It gives me an edge.
“I want to make that number eight jersey mine this season. I know I’ll have to play well to get it and help the team achieve its goals. But that is what I’m aiming for.”
Mokuena is a man who loves courting success, and his words may not resonate just yet, but if he has his way, a few teams this season will be left in the Ellis Park dirt wondering just how the Lions rose from the ashes.
