Mzwakhe Nkosi says grooming the Lions’ next-gen will remain the priority in the Currie Cup, even as attention shifts towards next month’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry clash at Ellis Park.
The Pride will host the All Blacks on 25 August after five Currie Cup fixtures including Saturday’s visit to Joburg from the Pumas, leaving the Lions coaches with a delicate balancing act between immediate results and fielding their strongest 23.
Nkosi insists the Lions will continue backing the youthful group that opened their campaign with a narrow defeat to the Cheetahs last week.
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“As we have done in the last three Currie Cups, by and large we will play with these guys,” the head coach was quoted by IOL.
“Part of the job here is to introduce these guys to first-class rugby. We had a lot of guys who did a great job at U23 level and deserve a shot. They are good enough to make it.
“We’ve surrounded them with a few experienced guys like Renzo du Plessis, Jarod Cairns, Rabz Maxwane, Ruan Delport and the like.
“Hopefully, enveloping them with those types of guys, we can get a good performance and result.”
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Nkosi, though, acknowledged the importance of the All Blacks fixture, with the Lions’ Vodacom URC squad currently in pre-season ahead of the blockbuster encounter.
“Having said that, there are a large number of guys training in pre-season for the URC and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry,” he said.
“Having watched the All Blacks [in the Nations Championship], that is not going to be an easy game either. Dave Rennie is a new coach, so a lot of guys will try to impress.
“It will be an important game for us and we must try and put out the best team the franchise can for that game.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Lions coach weighs up All Blacks challenge appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Mzwakhe Nkosi says grooming the Lions’ next-gen will remain the priority in the Currie Cup, even as attention shifts towards next month’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry clash at Ellis Park.
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