Centre combo crucial for Lions
10 May 2012
GARETH DUNCAN says the Lions’ chances of victory over the Blues will rely heavily on the performance of their new midfield combination.
Many will argue that the Blues will be the Lions’ best opportunity for victory during their overseas tour. While others will point to the feeble Force in Perth on 26 May, the Blues’ continuous struggle for cohesion and form should make the Auckland clash the Lions’ best bet. But there are complications for the Jozi tourists heading into Friday’s fixture.
Head coach John Mitchell’s selection of Jaco Taute and Lionel Mapoe as his centre pairing is the Lions’ fifth midfield combination of the season (after just nine games). Injuries haven’t allowed the Lions to field many settled combinations. Alwyn Hollenbach’s knee injury has forced Mitchell to rope in two of his specialised outside backs to play out of position in the No 12 and No 13 jerseys in Auckland.
Taute has proved to be a great prospect at centre. He has played in the midfield five times this season, and the stats look promising. The 22-year-old has only missed three tackles, he’s gained 249m with ball in hand (which is an average of 49.8m per match), has forced seven turnovers and provides extra help at the tackle points when support is needed.
The concern will be Lionel Mapoe at outside centre. The player has had several experimental runs in the position at the Cheetahs and during the Currie Cup last year, but his difficulty in adapting to the defensive game needed in the channel has created problems. It will be tough for the winger to adjust effectively in his first appearance at outside centre this season.
It’s a risky selection against the Blues’ Michael Hobbs and Ma’a Nonu, but Mitchell is confident that his players can do the job.
‘It was disappointing to lose Alwyn, who’s been key at centre for us. That’s our seventh centre option we’ve lost to injury or suspension now,’ Mithcell told keo.co.za. ‘But Jaco has been a revelation for us all year. He’s a good fullback, and I believe he can be a great centre. He’s impressed when picked at 13, and he’ll give [flyhalf] Elton Jantjies great support at 12. He will run strongly off Elton, will offer some good direction on attack, he’s solid on defence and offers a big boot when needed.
‘Lionel has concerns on defence, but he’s building great form since returning from injury this season. He will offer us a lot on attack at 13. We focused a lot on his defensive game during training, and if he can stick to the necessary structures, he should do well.’
Mitchell added that a strong forwards game and better ball retention will also be vital against the Blues.
‘The Blues have had a disappointing season, but they’re still an imposing side. Ma’a Nonu, Piri Weepu, Daniel Braid, Luke Braid and Ali Williams are all top players,’ said Mitchell. ‘We’ll need to be strong up front and can’t afford to concede regular turnover ball. We lost the ball at key moments in our defeat to the Chiefs last weekend, and we need to learn from that.
‘We also have to start stronger against the Blues. We didn’t do that against the Chiefs.’
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15 Comments
10 May 2012, 11:38 am
Jantjies, Taute and Mapoe is a potentially exciting combination but their lack of game time together could be costly. I just hope that they settle quickly.
A lot will depend on the quality of service Ross Cronje provides his backline.
10 May 2012, 12:13 pm
Mighty Blues to send Pat off in the style he has come accustomed to……
10 May 2012, 12:23 pm
Ross Cronje has the slowest delivery in competition.no zip at all in his passes.And struggles passing to his right.
I believe Mapoe can be a success at 13,knee injuries have stolen his out and out wingers speed but he is robust and explosive still in contact.Need a run there and to fix his defensive lapses.
Jantjies,Taute,Mapoe all under age of 24,have lots of promise but in a struggling team lacking cohesion all round they wont win any games any time soon
10 May 2012, 12:24 pm
ross is a terrible scrumhalf, takes a yr to pass the ball and the defence can read his decisions each time he really is a step backwards, i dont c taute as a 12 but hey it might work here, i still think he is a good 13 but even better 15
10 May 2012, 12:25 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-3: you sir are correct
10 May 2012, 13:00 pm
No combination they have in their squad will help them now.
10 May 2012, 14:09 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-3:
agree – I was wrong about Cronje. Slow service.
this game is test for die hard fans. There will be probably be more saffas at game then Aucklanders
10 May 2012, 15:28 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-3: The last time I had a look at Mapoe he was terrible. Too slow , bad positional play , **** defense and really really k@k hands.
I hope he does a little better but he looked the shadow of the player he was when he came onto the scene.
I predict a very very busy day for the Lions at centre. I know the blue are **** but I think they are gonna murder the lions , hope I am wrong though.
10 May 2012, 16:40 pm
@sparticus(sparticus)-8:
I hope you are wrong too!
Auckland saffas will be out in force at game
10 May 2012, 18:10 pm
Taute is a great prospect at 13, he does not strike me as a 12. I’d look to Taute as the Bok 13 in the very near future…….would certainly have him in my match 22
10 May 2012, 19:28 pm
Please Lions. Please. somehow find it in yourselves to win this.
You are away from the gloom of Ellis Park and SA where the expectation since winning the currie cup has worn you all down I am sure.
This road trip can only do you good.
Last week was your best forward performance of the season, build on that. Taute, be a bit selfish with the ball and keep it a bit close in the first few phases. I realy enjoyed the way you damaged Freun in the tackle last week. Play for that bok jersey.
Lions, Play that freeflow skill thing and klap this kiwi shambles.
Why not?
10 May 2012, 20:57 pm
Ross Cronje was a big problem last week.
He shouldnt play Super rugby, at least not yet. My reasons are as follows.
- He pass too slow, no quick flat passing, and is struggling to pass to the right
- Everytime he passes he takes two or three steps towards the direction that he is passing to, creating more than enough time for the defence to close on Jantjes and inside centre.
- He cant kick from the ruck, thus no variety from him, and does not take the pressure off Jantjes.
- In overall, he is too slow and not talented enough to play any higher than vodacom cup or CC.
Now why cant the Lions coaching team see this.
10 May 2012, 20:59 pm
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-2:
Now I know that Pat is unlikely to have top coaching job for Blues 2013, have to go for my team…….and Lions are eternal black hole of wasted talent and promise….Blues by 8.
10 May 2012, 21:22 pm
Chris4lions.
Who else do they have fit?
10 May 2012, 21:39 pm
@hensopper1(hensopper1)-14:
Thats the problem, no one else to make the jump to S15.
John Mitchell must just explain/coach Cronje on how to play at this level.
We will see tomorrow if he worked on his short comings during the week. If there is no improvement then JM is not doing his job.
I am starting do get doubts about John Mitchell!
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