Assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher has laid down the law: it's crunch time for the Lions as they gear up to take on the might of Benetton in Treviso this coming Saturday. Riding on the back of their recent narrow miss against Zebre, the Lions are tweaking their strategy, sharpening their claws, and eyeing the try line with renewed vigor.
"We dissected the Zebre match with a fine-tooth comb," Loubscher revealed. "We're crafting the right moments and finding our openings; now we just need to nail the execution." The team's performance, despite the loss, had its silver linings, displaying bursts of brilliance that Loubscher believes are core to the Lions' ethos.
"It was pleasing to see the tries we scored, that speaks to our DNA. But you can’t just run from everywhere, it’s about being smart and building the right platform."
Benetton, however, is no pushover. Known for their structured gameplay and physical prowess, they are a formidable force in the URC, decked with international talents who know how to crank up the defensive heat. "They’re a quality outfit with a lot of internationals. Defensively they bring huge fight, they try to hold you up, slow you down and force mistakes. They play a Test-match style of rugby," Loubscher praised, highlighting the challenge ahead.
The tactical battleground will be dominated by game management, with Loubscher emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities. "Our game management will be crucial, we have to make sure we are getting into the right areas and then taking our chances," he pointed out.
The Lions' lineup has been jazzed up with the return of scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, fresh from the Rugby Championship. Loubscher was upbeat about the impact of his return: "It’s just nice to have him back, he brings a different energy and leadership. He’s hungry to perform and help us get a good result."
As the Lions prepare to lock horns with Benetton, all eyes will be on whether they can transform their tactical tweaks into a triumphant performance on the field.
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Assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher has laid down the law: it's crunch time for the Lions as they gear up to take on the might of Benetton in Treviso this coming Saturday. Riding on the back of their recent narrow miss against Zebre, the Lions are tweaking their strategy, sharpening their claws, and eyeing the try line with renewed vigor.
"We dissected the Zebre match with a fine-tooth comb," Loubscher revealed. "We're crafting the right moments and finding our openings; now we just need to nail the execution." The team's performance, despite the loss, had its silver linings, displaying bursts of brilliance that Loubscher believes are core to the Lions' ethos.
"It was pleasing to see the tries we scored, that speaks to our DNA. But you can’t just run from everywhere, it’s about being smart and building the right platform."
Benetton, however, is no pushover. Known for their structured gameplay and physical prowess, they are a formidable force in the URC, decked with international talents who know how to crank up the defensive heat. "They’re a quality outfit with a lot of internationals. Defensively they bring huge fight, they try to hold you up, slow you down and force mistakes. They play a Test-match style of rugby," Loubscher praised, highlighting the challenge ahead.
The tactical battleground will be dominated by game management, with Loubscher emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities. "Our game management will be crucial, we have to make sure we are getting into the right areas and then taking our chances," he pointed out.
The Lions' lineup has been jazzed up with the return of scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, fresh from the Rugby Championship. Loubscher was upbeat about the impact of his return: "It’s just nice to have him back, he brings a different energy and leadership. He’s hungry to perform and help us get a good result."
As the Lions prepare to lock horns with Benetton, all eyes will be on whether they can transform their tactical tweaks into a triumphant performance on the field.