Share

Another Lions-Chiefs try fest?

Johannesburg - Chiefs coach Ian Foster has not ruled out the chance of his team being involved in another try fest when they take on the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The previous time the two sides met in a Super Rugby match 14 tries were scored with the Waikato side walking away with a 72-65 victory.

"I have no problem with us scoring another 72 points in a match, but there is no way that we will concede 65 again," Foster said on Thursday.

"I don't think there will be too many games like that one last year, but you know, these are two similar teams and it will be the same referee so you never quite know."

The Chiefs and Lions are in the same boat as far as their conference standings are concerned and will be desperate to get their respective campaigns back on track.

Foster therefore knows that a positive result on Saturday could be the turning point for his team.

"I think both teams are really keen to move the ball around in play and both teams have had a few tight losses which is tough to deal with if you would like to build some momentum," he said.

"It is an important game for both teams; we are both probably playing some good rugby for large parts of games, but not quite finishing it off."

After their match against the Lions, the Chiefs will cross the Jukskei river to take on the Bulls - another side in desperate need of some momentum.

Following an impressive performance against the Crusaders last week, despite losing 34-16, the tourists arrived in South Africa with renewed confidence in their abilities.

Making a positive start against the Lions will be critical to their cause.

"You always want to start your tour with a win. It makes it a lot easier and we certainly want to turn some close losses into some good wins, so this is a big game."

Asked how he felt about his team's current form, Foster said: "We are pretty happy with many aspects, but I think it is just keeping that intensity going for 80 minutes.

"I think we've shown that we can bring a level of play you need to achieve success in this competition regularly, but we just haven't done it over an 80 minute period.

"We have just got to keep trusting what we've been doing and keep doing that right to the end." As far as their clash against the Lions is concerned, Foster is not expecting too many changes in tactics from their hosts.

"I think it will be a reasonably attacking game."

Teams:

Lions:

15 Michael Killian, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Doppies la Grange (captain), 11 Deon van Rensburg, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg

Substitutes: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 David de Villiers, 19 Josh Strauss, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Jaco Taute

Chiefs: TBA

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
North West 0
Warriors RSA 142/7
loading... Live
Titans RSA 0
Lions 142/7
loading... Live
Western Province 173/4
Boland 0
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1817 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1777 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE