Kicking coach to rescue Lions?

Johannesburg - The Lions have watched too many easy penalty and try conversions fly unsuccessfully past the goal posts and will be employing a kicking coach to sort out the team’s prowess in that department, coach John Mitchell said on Monday.

This comes after the Johannesburg squad could have won all but one of the matches they lost thus far, because of poor goal kicking.

“I’m now going to look at bringing in a goal kicking consultant for the whole province as I just feel that we need to make sure that we actually improve that area right from Craven Week up,” said Mitchell.

“And we are basically going to start that programme as soon as we can.”

The Lions mentor would not divulge who he has in mind for that position, but it does not mean he was disappointed in the overall performance of former Springbok Andre Pretiorius against the Reds.

Pretorius earned his first start this season at flyhalf in the 30-25 loss the Lions suffered against the Queensland side.

“He (Pretorius) certainly controlled the game for us, and that’s what I wanted,” said Mitchell.

The Joburgers take on the Sharks this weekend and Mitchell sees no difference between his side and the guys from Durban - in terms of desperation in the squads, that is.

“I guess we are both in the same position and in the end it will come down to the team that holds its nerve and the team that keeps its confidence and continues to play in the way it believes ..."

“For us to finish a team off (win) we are going to have to deliver at the scrums and lineouts.”

In response to the tardiness his men displayed at the set-pieces over the past two weekends, Mitchell explained: “I think it has got something to do with experience, and some players have forgotten how important the little things are ... that is a bit of our inexperience showing through.”

“It can be easily addressed ... it is just a matter of repetition.”