Acclimatisation key for Lions
The biggest focus for the Lions now is not the Hurricanes, but getting over the long flight to New Zealand.
|||Johannesburg - The biggest focus for the Lions now is not the Hurricanes - not that they’ve ever concerned themselves much with the opposition - but getting over the long flight to New Zealand.
Johan Ackermann and his charges started their preparations for Saturday’s final today after arriving in Wellington, via Sydney, late yesterday (SA time).
Ackermann said it would be important to stick as much as possible to their weekly schedule.
“Routine is very important and we’ll keep to it as much as possible,” he said on the eve of the team’s departure.
“Of course, we have to factor in the flight but the guys won’t get any fitter now, or less fit, so the next few days will be about sleeping well and recovering from Saturday’s game and the flight to Wellington.”
That does not mean the Lions won’t get onto the training field in the next few days.
“We had a good outing against the Highlanders but they scored a few late tries against us, mainly because we made some mistakes, like turning over the ball, so there’s always something to work on.
“We also need to keep the bodies active so there will definitely be training this week.”
The last time the Lions went to New Zealand they came from Singapore after playing against the Sunwolves in round one, but Ackermann says this trip is much better.
“It’s a difficult flight going from Tokyo, to Singapore, to Auckland. The players don’t know the route and while we won in Hamilton, it wasn’t a nice trip.
“I’m hoping the players settle a lot quicker this time and get focused as soon as we start our preparations. We have 80 minutes left of our season.”
If the Lions do pull off a first victory in a final for a visiting team, they’ll have beaten all five New Zealand sides this year. But it’s not something the first-time finalists are thinking about.
“It’s not an impossible task but the Hurricanes are the favourites and let’s not forget they put 50 (points) on us when we hosted them earlier in the season. They’ve just beaten a quality Chiefs team as well so it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
Jaco Kriel, who’s led the team in Warren Whiteley’s absence this season, said that while it is “amazing” to know the Lions are in the final and he is in the “best period of his life”, a huge task awaited his men.
“We’re all a bit emotional knowing we’re a win away from lifting the trophy. And yes, these three years we’ve spent together as a team have been unbelievable, just how we’ve backed each other and enjoyed the journey, but a huge challenge awaits us.
“The Hurricanes are a great side and they didn’t top the log for nothing ... (but) I don’t know if there’s ever been a more satisfying period in my life ...”
The Star