The NSW Waratahs have placed a massive focus on starting well in Saturday’s Super Rugby semi-final against the Lions and embracing the anticipated hostile atmosphere in Johannesburg.
The Lions, who blanked the Tahs 29-0 in Sydney back in April and have won the teams’ last three encounters, will get vociferous support from a large home crowd.
NSW captain and five-eighth Bernard Foley said his side shouldn’t get caught up in the occasion or be overawed.
“This is why you play footy for so many years and when you get an opportunity not to let it go to waste,” Foley said.
‘You’ve trained for so many years, you’ve done all the hard work behind the bright lights so that when you get into these cauldrons, in these hostile environments, is to really embrace it and show the character that you are.”
The Tahs have been in chase mode in recent weeks, conceding big halftime deficits in their last two games.
“We’ve definitely spoken about it and we know how the Lions slow the game down, so for us it’s definitely about starting well and being able to hold the ball for long periods of time at the start,” Foley said.
“Also on the other side of the coin is to be able to defend for periods, especially at the start, without conceding points, so it’s a massive focus for us.
Foley described opposing five-eighth and Springbok pivot Elton Jantjies as the barometer of the Lions.
“When they’re going well he’s a magnificent player,” Foley said.
‘When their forwards are doing the job and setting the platform and getting that roll on getting that momentum, he’s a phenomenal player especially with his running game when he takes on the line when he kicks.
‘If we’re doing what we want to be doing and being able to shut down their momentum and shut down their go-forward especially up front, then it puts his skill and application under a lot more pressure.”
He said the Tahs had learnt a lot from the loss to the Lions in Sydney where he thought they panicked and didn’t trust or execute their game plan after failing to convert early pressure into points.
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