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JOHANNESBURG – Lions captain Warren Whiteley is hoping his team will be able to add a ruthless element to his arsenal as he heads to the Super Rugby playoffs for the third year in a row.
The finals scored the highest number of tries in the competition – 77, with the Crusaders – and put six points after the Bulls in their last round-robin match last Saturday. But with the dangerous and unpredictable Jaguares coming in the last eight at Ellis Park this weekend, Whiteley wants his team to step up even more. "I really think we can be more ruthless.We still have some extra gear out there somewhere," he said before Saturday's send-off at 3pm.
Despite their third set of finals since 2016, the Lions have not yet won the competition. They lost the last game of the two previous seasons respectively against the Hurricanes and Crusaders. Whiteley said that it was important to put the league season behind them and focus only on the next game.
"Every opportunity from now on is like gold.We have not seized a number of chances that we have created against the Bulls, and that is why I say that we can be more ruthless.We have some work to do this week, and hopefully in the next two weeks. "
Bruin coach Swys also said that it would be important to stay in the moment and not look too far because the Lions are looking for a first Super Rugby title … "There will always be pressure at the time of the playoffs. Every match will be unique from now, but all we can do is focus on the Jaguares this week and try to make the most of our fans this weekend. "
1 year ago Emotions were running high at Ellis Park and the Lions, after head coach Johan Ackermann announced that he would leave the team at the end At the same time, Whiteley was injured and unable to play in the knockout rounds.
2 international prostitutes will lock horns on Saturday when the Emirates Lions host the Jaguars at Emirates Airline Park with Malcolm Marx and Agustin Creevy for the quarter-final of the VSR.This is only one of the many face-to-face clashes that will be presented #LetsUnite pic.twitter.com/v3lD5E0Tz3 [19659009] – Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) July 16, 2018
This year there is no inspiring coach overseas and Whiteley is in shape so things are some little different from those of 12 months ago.The leader of Lions agreed that the scenic rio was a little different for his team this year, but that would not change much to the overall situation.
"It was a moving moment last year (with Ackermann in Gloucester), then we will qualify for the final, but again, it's a competition that's in our hands" said Whiteley. "It's a mental game from now on. Hard work has been done, each team knows what it needs to do … it is now the little things that matter, and keeping it there will be crucial. It is important not to get away from what has worked for us, what we have done well in the past, and to stick to it. "
After finishing the league, the Lions will once again want to play in the final – for what would be the third year in a row – as they face the Jaguars this week for a home place in half-time. If they go that far, they will play against the Waratahs or the Highlanders, the two teams will have the impression of being able to take it away
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