Steyn has added new dimension to Lions’ kicking game, says Nohamba

New kicking consultant Morne Steyn has already had a positive impact on the Lions since linking up with them in the off season and has added a new dynamic to their kicking game which they have been trying to implement early in the season.

The Lions have been unlucky to lose their opening two United Rugby Championship games in the new season by extremely tight margins; 35-33 against the Stormers at Ellis Park and then 17-16 against Edinburgh in Scotland last weekend.

‘Wider channels’

Despite the unfortunate start, the Lions are starting to find a rhythm, especially on the kicking front and scrumhalf Sanele Nohmaba has been very happy with the improvements to their game.

“Morne has been great for the squad, especially for us kickers. He’s added a different dynamic to our kicking game,” said Nohamba.

“If you look at our (kicking) game last season there were only a couple of guys kicking. But now we are able to kick from wider channels and use different players who you normally wouldn’t expect to kick to put pressure on the other team.

“So it’s been really good having him (Steyn) in camp. When we get it right we get into the right areas of the field and that’s when we get to put points on the board or put pressure on the opposition.”

Benetton

The Lions will now hope to get their season up and running when they take on Benetton in Italy on Sunday, in a game they will be desperate to win to start building some good momentum into the rest of their European tour.

With the Rugby World Cup now over focus will shift more firmly onto the URC, however, Nohamba admits that they haven’t been impacted by the World Cup at all over the first two rounds.

“We are not underestimating them (Benetton) at all. I think this is the best side that Benetton can possibly pick. We want to test ourselves against the best and I think that is what we are going to face this weekend,” said Nohamba.

“In our camp we were just watching (the World Cup) as fans without losing focus on what we have had to do. We obviously weren’t at the World Cup but we were watching and supporting the guys.

“We still have our own goals that we want to achieve so we have been focused on ourselves and the goals that we have set for the season.”