Zeena Isaacs
23 February 2007
Johannesburg — THE Lions halfbacks, flyhalf Louis Strydom and scrumhalf Jano Vermaak, will have their hands full tomorrow trying to snuff out their opposite numbers Matt Giteau and Matt Henjak on attack in their Super 14 clash against Western Force in Perth.
Giteau and Henjak have been a fearful combination on attack over the past few weeks and if they are allowed any space, they will work their magic.
This means that Strydom and Vermaak will have to close them down instantaneously to reduce the home team's attacking power.
Lions coach Eugene Eloff will also have good backup power in the form of Springbok flyhalf Andre Pretorius should Strydom battle to contain Giteau.
The Lions, however, have one of the best defensive systems in the series with only 34 points scored against them in the first three games, which will be invaluable in the stopping the home team's exciting backs.
In the only game today the Hurricanes meet the Brumbies in Wellington and tomorrow the Highlanders take on the Stormers in Dunedin and the Blues battle it out with the Reds in Auckland.
In the local clashes, the Bulls take on the Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld and the Cheetahs meet the Crusaders in Bloemfontein.
Eloff was upbeat ahead of their game against Western Force and said: "We have acclimatised well and the guys were sharp at training this week. To us being on tour is not very different from being home because the field is the same size, the laws are the same and we refuse to be influenced by external factors. We want to take the game to them, play positive rugby and do what we did in SA."
The Lions will take comfort from the fact that the home team also had to make the long journey back to Australia last week after beating the Bulls in Pretoria.
Commenting on the Western Force, Eloff said: "They play a similar style of rugby to the Crusaders. They thrive on good momentum on attack, they have a good backline and their lineouts are outstanding."
Eloff yesterday made several changes to the pack which destroyed the Crusaders and Highlanders forwards, with tighthead prop Brian Mujati moving to loosehead to allow for the return of Bertus Smit and explosive hooker Ethienne Reynecke replaces Willie Wepener.
The coach was also forced to make changes at lock after Cobus Grobler injured his knee at training earlier this week, with Gordon Gilfillan partnering Anton van Zyl in the lineouts.
Physical Springbok No8 Jacques Cronje also returns from injury and will start on the bench.
Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer has prepared his team for a serious onslaught from the brawny Chiefs players, who he suspects will shy away from the set phases and attack from across the park.
The presence of Springbok iron man Bakkies Botha should increase the number of big hits on the field.
Interestingly, Stormers coach Kobus van der Merwe hopes centre De Wet Barry will have a similar impact in midfield in their clash against the Highlanders.
The Cheetahs, in fine form of late, start their game against the Crusaders as favourites. But the Crusaders will be motivated to restore their tarnished image after their defeat against the Lions.
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