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Rugby

Lions target fresh start against Cheetahs

───   MORGAN PIEK 10:03 Wed, 15 Feb 2017

Lions target fresh start against Cheetahs | News Article
Hannah Peters

The Lions will be looking to start afresh when they get their 2017 Super Rugby campaign underway against the Toyota Cheetahs next week.


The 2016 runners-up travel to the City of Roses for their opening game and are of the opinion that they cannot bank on their performance last year for the new campaign.

The Springbok eighthman, Warren Whiteley, says 2016 was a massive learning curve for them but it’s a new season and a new competition.

“It was a learning curve for us playing in a Super Rugby final, so for us as a team and management staff it was a massive learning curve.

“We took a lot of confidence out of that, but we know that means nothing.

“Playing in a final last year means nothing going into this year as the coach mentioned we’re starting fresh.

“That’s what makes it exciting, there are a lot things to look forward to”.

Meanwhile, the team's coach, Johan Ackermann, is delighted to have these senior players such as Whiteley, Elton Jantjies, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert and Lionel Mapoe back and injury-free from Japan.

“They are all looking fit and ready to go, hopefully we’ll see the best of them.

“I think they are a well-managed side and we’ll manage them well over the next period.

“We have to get their back into our systems and hopefully it won’t influence our performance and we’ll see the best of them in the coming weeks."

The Toyota Cheetahs and the Lions face each other next week Saturday in their first match of the competition with the game in the Toyota Stadium kicking off at 15:05.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport

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