Up to the players to lift themselves for final three URC games, says Lions coach

Despite suffering five defeats in a row and being on the brink of United Rugby Championship elimination, the coaching staff at the Lions won’t need to do any motivating to get the players up for their remaining three matches.

That will come down to the players themselves, says former Springbok prop and current Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys.

The Lions have suffered a late season slump and find themselves in 14th position on the URC points table.

They only have a mathematical chance of making the top eight and featuring in the quarter-finals, with just three regular season games remaining.

‘Internal motivation’

The Joburg side’s last defeat was at home last Saturday when they crashed to Italian side Benetton. This Saturday they’re up against Irish team Connacht and then finish their season, at home, with matches against Scarlets and Ospreys.

Redelinghuys said this week it would be up to the players to get themselves up for a strong finish to the competition.

“The big thing about a professional rugby player is that he is motivated by himself, it’s internal motivation,” said Redelinghuys this week.

“As coaches it’s not up to us to get players motivated; it is our job to get them prepped. Naturally for the team, after a not so good performance, there can be an influence on confidence and motivation … but we drive the fact that guys must be ready themselves.

“Of course, when a team loses there is always work to be done … but we’ve got a good bunch of guys here and they are motivated by themselves.”

‘Best we can be’

Redelinghuys added he and his coaching team were “looking for a good response” this weekend.

“We all saw how Connacht played against the Stormers … they’re playing better and better as the season is going on. It could have been a win for them (in Cape Town) and they’re sure to be targeting us this game.

“They’re a good attacking team, they’ve got good structure, good defence, a decent kicking game. They’re also in the running for the playoffs … so we’re looking to be the best we can be (on Saturday). Maybe our best rugby is in front of us.”

Head coach Ivan van Rooyen is not expected to make too many changes to the team that played against Benetton last weekend, but one person who won’t feature is captain Francke Horn, who left the field early last week with an undisclosed injury.

“I’m not sure of the extent of the injury,” said Redelinghuys, “but Francke’s not available for this weekend’s match. It’s an opportunity though for someone else now to come in and play.”