Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Date: Wednesday, 3 June Kick-off: 1810 BST (1910 local time)
Coverage: Live text commentary and score updates on BBC Sport website; second-half commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live
Shaun Edwards says the Lions must step up their defence if they are to beat South Africa in the Test series.
The Lions limped to victory over a Royal XV in the opening tour game and Edwards says he wants a big improvement against the Golden Lions on Wednesday.
"If we leak more soft tries I will be very upset," said the assistant coach.
"We hope to be on the money this week because we need to be. You're not going to win a major series if you're letting in three tries against the Springboks."
The Lions camp is still smarting from the opening tour match in Rustenburg last Saturday, which saw the Lions going 18-3 and 25-13 down before battling back to win 37-25.
And the Wales assistant coach says the Lions have been working hard on their line-out defence ahead of the second game in Johannesburg.
"It was obvious we weren't able to defend the drive," added Edwards. "The defensive lapses on Saturday were partly the result of the players not having played for four or five weeks.
"Our second half was better and we've worked hard on our defence this week. Our defence at the line-outs will be better as we hadn't really worked on that before last Saturday's match.
 |
606: DEBATE
3rdgrandslamcoming
|
"But we won't be able to afford any lapses come the Tests. We must play for 80 minutes on Wednesday.
"The only way to put it right is on the pitch in the next game.
"Our defence has to improve. The players are an extension of me on the field. I'm with them in spirit and I take it personally when people score against us."
Edwards also revealed that comments from Springbok fans had given him a spur for the rest of the tour.
"A few South African people have asked what I do with the Lions," he added. "I said I am the defence coach and a few of them wished me good luck, adding that I might need it, which does add a little bit more motivation.
"If you can't handle the pressure, you shouldn't put yourself up for the job. I am well aware of the expectation."
Edwards said the players did have some excuse for their display against the Royal XV but insisted that they will be afforded no such luxury on Wednesday.
"By the time of Wednesday's game, we have been at altitude for nine days and I have been told that, after eight days, you should be feeling a bit more comfortable," he added.
"We can't go into this game with any excuses. We need to put a marker down and play for the full 80 minutes.
"I thought that for the last 20 minutes on Saturday we played very well and showed a lot of spirit. But we have to do that for 80 minutes because, if we have any chance against the Springboks, you can't have any lapses."
|
You have got to take a Lions chance when you can. Another tour might not come around, especially when you are as old as I am
Lions lock Nathan Hines
|
The Lions will be looking to quickly bounce back from their shaky start, which saw them contemplating their first defeat in an opening tour game since 1971.
The management team have been true to their word and made wholesale changes from the Royal XV contest, as they look to give every player a full match in the opening three games.
Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll, who has already won the Six Nations Grand Slam as well as the Heineken Cup with Leinster this year, will partner Jamie Roberts of Wales in midfield.
Full-back Rob Kearney, wing Ugo Monye, flanker Tom Croft and lock Nathan Hines will all be making their debuts while Ireland's David Wallace moves from number eight to the open-side flank.
Scotland second-row Hines will be making his first appearance in the same week that his side Perpignan play in the French Championship final against Clermont Auvergne.
However, the 32-year-old says he has no regrets about going on tour with the Lions.
"I will have another chance next season to win the French title," he said.
"You have got to take a Lions chance when you can. Another tour might not come around, especially when you are as old as I am.
"Perpignan were understanding, not extremely joyful, but understanding.
"I hope they go out and win. It would be great for the club, the players and the town because they have been waiting for it for a long time."
The Golden Lions, who have Saracens-bound Ethienne Reynecke and Ernst Joubert on the bench, have beaten the tourists six times in 16 matches in their previous guises as Gauteng Lions and Transvaal.
However, their last victory came 41 years ago against a Lions side featuring current tour manager Gerald Davies.
British and Irish Lions team to play the Golden Lions:
R Kearney (Leinster and Ireland); T Bowe (Ospreys and Ireland), B O'Driscoll (Leinster and Ireland, captain), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues and Wales), U Monye (Harlequins and England); S Jones (Scarlets and Wales), M Phillips (Ospreys and Wales); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues and Wales), L Mears (Bath and England), P Vickery (Wasps and England), N Hines (Perpignan and Scotland), A-W Jones (Ospreys and Wales), T Croft (Leicester and England), D Wallace (Munster and Ireland), J Heaslip (Leinster and Ireland).
Replacements: R Ford (Edinburgh and Scotland), E Murray (Northampton and Scotland), S Ferris (Ulster and Ireland), A Powell (Cardiff Blues and Wales), H Ellis (Leicester and England), J Hook (Ospreys and Wales), S Williams (Ospreys and Wales).
Golden Lions side:
L Ludik; M Killian, J Boshoff, D la Grange, D Noble; A Pretorius, J Vermaak; L Sephaka, W Wepener, G Muller, B Mockford, W Stoltz, C Grobbelaar, F van der Merwe, W Alberts.
Replacements: E Reynecke, J Van Rensburg, E Joubert, T Clever, C Jonck, W Venter, E Rose.
- buy generic cymbalta
- buy cheap cilais - buy generic cilais
- buy viagra no prescription - buy generic viagra
- order citalopram - buy generic celexa
- buy generic lexapro - buy escitalopram online
No comments:
Post a Comment