Swys' defensive switch works wonders for Lions

Emirates Lions coach Swys de Bruin praised his team’s defence in their historic win over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Saturday night.

De Bruin admitted after the 25-16 win – the team’s first ever in the Argentinean capital - that at one point it was too humid to play attacking rugby, and a change of tactic – to back the defence paid off dividends.

“We were very blessed. If people knew how wet the ball was, and the fact that it was 34 degrees when we went out on the field, we knew our defence needed to take over, and we tackled them backwards like I haven’t seen for a long time. We are very satisfied with the win tonight, it was a pity we couldn’t get the bonus point but we will take the win.

“Defence shows the commitment and the character of the guys and it was wonderful to see. The ball was wet and it was difficult to play an attacking game, so we realised we needed to back our defence. At halftime I challenged them on defence and not on the attack because it was so difficult to play. So it was one of those things that if you win it in any way then you are very happy and the guys showed a lot of guts in this win,” De Bruin said.

With six debutants for the team, the Lions were relentless at the breakdown and on defence, not allowing the Jaguares the momentum they craved to turn into points, and with the home team over the goalline twice, and twice turning the ball over metres before it, it was a superhuman defensive effort, with loan player Carlu Sadie putting in an inspired performance. Marnus Schoeman’s terrier-attitude on the field didn’t go unnoticed either.

“I am so happy for them and every debutant did well when they came onto the field. Our youth structures are strong at the Lions and if I look at the way they put their hands up. Also a guy like Marnus, who scored the tries, he is the type of guy that when a team needs him he comes through. Carlu Sadie scrummed well how good was he? But we must realise it is the first game and there are a number of challenges that lie ahead,” De Bruin added.

Captain Warren Whiteley said the team felt they were “lucky” in the second half, but would relish their first victory in Buenos Aires.

“The Jaguares when they get quick ball they are extremely dangerous, and their runners are direct, quick and strong. I think we were good at breakdown time, and made some good decisions there. A couple of guys got good turnovers and we managed to slow down their ball in key areas of the field. Very proud for the boys and we have a big one next week, so recovery is very important for us now, and to travel back to South Africa and then focus on the next game,” he said after the game.

“Overall we are happy with the performance. We have struggled over the last couple of years here, and we are really pleased, particularly with our scrums, we did really well and got some crucial turnovers there. Defensively we were very good and got some crucial turnovers in the second half, the Jaguares put a lot of pressure on us and perhaps we were a bit lucky but I am really proud of the boys, a lot of the guys are making their debuts tonight, so overall really pleased with the win.

“We knew in this type of game, especially here, it is really physical. The game is won up front and the Jaguares like to keep the ball in hand. They are very direct, and their forwards come around the corner, and they carry hard. Especially in that second half they held the ball for a lot of phases and put us under pressure. We were probably a bit lucky to get those turnovers when we did, but very proud of the guys and the attitude and resilience that we showed.”

Whiteley said this was his team’s best performance in Argentina, not just because the scoreline favoured them.

“We were quite pleased with the way the game played out and this was probably our best performance here in the past couple of years. The Jaguares have gotten the best over us in the past few years. Tonight I was very happy, setpiece wise we were really happy with our scrums, but our lineouts were not as good as we would have hoped and we will work on that. But overall really really happy, we fronted up good, we made some crucial turnovers, especially in the second half when they put us under pressure. I’m proud of the guys, it is not easy coming here, that is for sure.”

The Lions head back to prepare for a showdown at Newlands with the DHL Stormers, who are walking wounded after their defeat at the hands of the Bulls and will want to bounce back strongly.