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Harsh words not needed, Lions coach insists

Cape Town - Lions coach Swys de Bruin says there was no need for harsh words after their defeat to the Reds in Brisbane last week.

After trailing 27-0 early in the second half against the Queenslanders, the Lions scored four unanswered tries to stage a comeback.

It was however not enough as they went down 27-22.

“We’re in the professional era and it’s not our style to talk harsh to the players. You have to use the right words after a loss like that,” De Bruin was quoted as saying by Netwerk24.

The Lions had gone into the Reds match as firm favourites, having thumped the Waratahs 29-0 in Sydney the previous week.

The men from Johannesburg tackle the Hurricanes in Wellington this Saturday and De Bruin has called for a lift in intensity.

“Our decision making also needs to be much better than it was against the Reds. We definitely didn’t use our chances against them and our execution also wasn’t good. We’ll have to be much better this Saturday. The Hurricanes are very strong at the breakdowns and they hit the rucks hard. We’ll have to be clinical to secure and hold on to possession.”

Saturday’s clash at Westpac Stadium is scheduled for 09:35 (SA time).

The Lions team will be named later on Thursday.

Teams:

Hurricanes

15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields (captain), 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 Jeff To'omaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Toby Smith

Substitutes: 16 James O'Reilly, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Ben May, 19 Sam Lousi, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Nehe Milner-Skudder

Lions

TBA

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