Johannesburg - They’re a star-studded side, packed with All Blacks, but the challenge of facing the Hurricanes brings excitement, rather than fear, to his players, says high-flying Lions boss Johan Ackermann.
“We respect the Hurricanes as opponents, both as a team and the individuals in it. I also respect their coaching team. They’ve got quality players in every position, they’re a team full of All Blacks, but this is a contest that will excite my players.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to measure themselves against the best,” says Ackermann.
It is, indeed, a star line-up the Lions will face in their Super Rugby match at Ellis Park on Saturday evening.
Think Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea and captain Dane Coles … all superb players who’ve done the business for the Canes and the All Blacks.
“I’ve got a lot of faith in my team and this is another opportunity for us to show how we’ve grown as a side. I’d like to think we’re full of confidence going into the game. We’ve also got game-breakers so if the pack does well and lays the foundation, our backs can measure themselves against some of the best in the game," said Ackermann.
“The players just need to continue backing themselves and trust each other.”It promises to be a major test for the Lions, who’ve already played against three New Zealand teams – winning one against the Chiefs and losing the other two, against the Highlanders and Crusaders.
“The Hurricanes are like all the New Zealand sides; they’re good with turnover ball and attack from all parts of the field, so we’re going to have to work hard to retain possession. It’s certainly going to be a different challenge to the ones we’ve recently had, against the Sharks, Stormers and Kings,” said Ackermann.
“I’m also expecting them to be sharp on defence, something assistant coach John Plumtree has spoken about in recent days.”One Lions player who’s in for a baptism of fire is young tighthead prop Pieter Scholtz, who gets a turn in the absence of the injured Julian Redelinghuys and Ruan Dreyer.
And, Ackermann has thrown the 22-year-old straight into the starting line-up. “It’s a great opportunity for him and he gets his reward for working hard and being dedicated to our structures for some time now.
“I think it’s just fair that he starts. He can get stuck in from the beginning and not feel the pressure to make a difference later on.
He’s got nothing to lose, he can enjoy the moment and later on we can always push the experienced Corné Fourie and Jacques van Rooyen into the battle.
”The other changes to the team that started against the Kings in Port Elizabeth are at loosehead prop where Dylan Smith returns and at flank where Jaco Kriel swaps places with Cyle Brink.
The Star