Lions under pressure to break URC losing streak

It is fair to say that the Lions will be under heavy scrutiny against the Scarlets on Saturday (kick-off 1.45pm) to record their first win of the United Rugby Championship (URC) season. Many would argue that it has been an ignominious start to their campaign - the Joburgers losing their first three games of the tournament.

The Lions have already conceded 96 points this season, with 14 tries racked up against them in the process. In return, they have struck back with only half that tally in tries to record 55 points. They currently sit 15th out of 16 teams on the URC log – a position that reflects both their winless run and the defensive frailties that have plagued them in the opening rounds.

Their most recent defeat – a 41-22 loss to Benetton – exposed a layer of irritation from pundits and fans about the current form of the team, with previous patience replaced with resignation that it will be another unsuccessful season.

Perhaps sensing the underlying tone of questioning on Wednesday, while fronting up to the media at Johannesburg Stadium, attack coach Ricardo Loubscher insisted the team – from the coaches to the players – were grafting hard every day to rectify their early-season woes.

Said Loubscher: “I can talk and say a lot of good things but at the end of the day, it is about what we do out on the field and how we perform there.

“Behind the scenes, as coaches and players, we really work hard. We understand that people are maybe frustrated with our results but there is a lot of hard work going into it. We are going to keep working hard and, hopefully, we can turn the corner this weekend.”

Much has been made in recent weeks – in search of a plausible scapegoat for the downturn in their fortunes – about the impact the recent loss in the Currie Cup final has had on the team. Some would argue that the narrow and heart-breaking 27-25 defeat to the Griquas in September has shaken the confidence within the squad.

Loubscher rejected that assertion.

“I don’t think so,” Loubscher said, on whether there is a lingering psychological effect relating to the loss.

“When we analyse our (recent) games, we are getting excited about the opportunities … Against Benetton, we created so many opportunities but what was lacking is the execution.

“We had a few cross kicks into space and it was just the execution of that; Angelo (Davids) was over the line and then just knocked on the ball; we can identify probably five-plus more opportunities after we went through the game.

“This game is about momentum and sometimes you need a one-point win just to get that confidence and momentum going. If it is not happening, it is almost like you have to restart now.

"But The energy is good. It is nice to be back and it is nice to be home.”

Loubscher also agreed that the Lions have not been at their best physically and that, too, was a major focus this week.

“There was a big discussion (about it),” Loubscher revealed. “It was not just about the Benetton game. Even for the Scarlets game, we have talked about punch.

“We feel, in terms of how we launch and where we are getting momentum, we are really happy with our physicality around that.

“Can we do better? Yes.

“Hopefully, after this Saturday, it is something we can talk about and say it was one of the positives we can take out of the game.”

Meanwhile, in team news, Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg will not be eligible to play this weekend as he continues to recover from injury. There is a possibility that he could be back in action next weekend against Ulster, bolstering his chances for a called up to the Boks’ for their year-end tour of Europe.

Nico Steyn is expected to start against the Welsh franchise, with Layton Horn his deputy. Baby Bok Haashim Pead will not be available for the match as he will be participating in the SA Rugby Under-21 Cup final for the Lions against the Sharks in Durban, also on Saturday.