The Lions spectacularly reversed their decision of running separate squads in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Currie Cup when they on Friday named their team to play the Blue Bulls in the latter competition.
They named a starting team for Saturday's clash at Loftus Versfeld that has pretty much campaigned throughout the URC but went a step further by handing the coach's headphones and microphone to Ivan van Rooyen at the expense of Mzwakhe Nkosi for the encounter.
“Every time we had a week off we found that the team wasn't prepared the after week, like against Connacht,” Straeuli explained. “That's why we decided to take this route in preparation for our game next week against the Dragons and that's why Ivan will coach this weekend,” he added.Their decision to run separate squads at the start of the campaign has in large part contributed to their off-the-pace performances in the Currie Cup.
Nkosi said he supports the decision. “It only makes sense that the guys are led by the guy who has coached them the last year or so,” he said about Van Rooyen. “It makes no sense for me to coach a 90% URC team. In terms of calls and synergy it only makes sense for Cash to coach the team. It has been a tough campaign for us and for the management too.
Straeuli said the Lions are in a recruitment process but that the overall system would be put to a review before next season. He added that reports of player defections, most notably flank Vincent Tshituka and tighthead prop Carlu Sadie to the Sharks, were premature.
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