Graham
07-06-2009, 18:29
supersport.co.za
:shark2::SharksLogo0760::shark2:
When the final whistle sounded on their 26-24 win over the Vodacom Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday, it brought to an end what the British and Irish Lions management have always considered to be the first phase of their tour.
Coach Ian McGeechan made it clear from the outset that he would use the first three games primarily as a chance for players to get a game and a feel of the Lions jersey, and it was always going to be a challenge for them.
“I think we came out of it okay, we know that the games will get progressively tougher from now on,” said McGeechan.
“It was our goal to give everyone a start, and it was a good challenge for the players. We didn’t win as well in this game as we did in midweek, but it was still good for us to come out with a win. Remember, we have not played together before this tour, and the combinations are still only finding each other.
“We know we got ourselves into a good position in this match, and it is a bit disappointing not to have completed what we started. But the breakdowns were a lottery and they took all the momentum out of the game.”
After the Lions won so easily against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg in midweek, they needed a good test. McGeechan agreed that it may be good for his team that they were pushed at Vodacom Park.
“It is true that it is in the closer games that maybe you learn the most and this one was always going to be the tightest and toughest of the first three matches,” said McGeechan.
“It was always going to be tough to throw together players who were playing in the same team together for the very first time, but the key is how we now develop in the next three games building up to the first test.
The Lions play the :SharksLogo0760: in Durban on Wednesday before travelling to Cape Town for the match against Western Province. The last mentioned might yet prove the most testing of the pre-series games as WP ran into a bit of form as the Stormers towards the end of the Super 14 season and they have more continuity in selection than the Sharks, who will be without ten Springboks.
With the Newlands match coming a week before the first test, and with a large crowd sure to pitch up at a venue where there is no test against the Lions, it may be the perfect dress rehearsal.
:shark2::SharksLogo0760::shark2:
When the final whistle sounded on their 26-24 win over the Vodacom Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday, it brought to an end what the British and Irish Lions management have always considered to be the first phase of their tour.
Coach Ian McGeechan made it clear from the outset that he would use the first three games primarily as a chance for players to get a game and a feel of the Lions jersey, and it was always going to be a challenge for them.
“I think we came out of it okay, we know that the games will get progressively tougher from now on,” said McGeechan.
“It was our goal to give everyone a start, and it was a good challenge for the players. We didn’t win as well in this game as we did in midweek, but it was still good for us to come out with a win. Remember, we have not played together before this tour, and the combinations are still only finding each other.
“We know we got ourselves into a good position in this match, and it is a bit disappointing not to have completed what we started. But the breakdowns were a lottery and they took all the momentum out of the game.”
After the Lions won so easily against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg in midweek, they needed a good test. McGeechan agreed that it may be good for his team that they were pushed at Vodacom Park.
“It is true that it is in the closer games that maybe you learn the most and this one was always going to be the tightest and toughest of the first three matches,” said McGeechan.
“It was always going to be tough to throw together players who were playing in the same team together for the very first time, but the key is how we now develop in the next three games building up to the first test.
The Lions play the :SharksLogo0760: in Durban on Wednesday before travelling to Cape Town for the match against Western Province. The last mentioned might yet prove the most testing of the pre-series games as WP ran into a bit of form as the Stormers towards the end of the Super 14 season and they have more continuity in selection than the Sharks, who will be without ten Springboks.
With the Newlands match coming a week before the first test, and with a large crowd sure to pitch up at a venue where there is no test against the Lions, it may be the perfect dress rehearsal.