Lions must find heart, attitude, says defence coach Jaque Fourie

Johannesburg — To say the Lions have come across as angry these last few days, might be underselling their collective emotion.

After the 34-10 United Rugby Championship drubbing to the Bulls this past weekend, stand-in captain Jaco Kriel was certainly peeved; head coach Ivan van Rooyen post-match seemed to be masticating on his rage; and then yesterday, Lions defence coach Jaque Fourie’s vexation at his players’ lack of discipline and commitment transmitted through the conference call.

It is easy to understand why.

In the last two games that the Lions have played – both losses to the Sharks and the Bulls at Ellis Park – they have attempted 169 tackles, effecting 138 for an 82% tackle-success rate. They have also leaked a collective 10 tries in those matches.

When compared to the 203 tackles they attempted, of which 183 had a positive outcome, in their impressive win against the Stormers last year for a 90% tackle success, then you can begin to appreciate the World Cup-winning Springbok’s frustration.

“Talking about the last two games, our defence was terrible,” said Fourie matter-of-factly. “We are not going to beat around the bush with that.

“There is certain stuff that we have to work on. Unfortunately, there is only so much we can coach, but if the players don’t have the attitude, the work-rate and the heart to do it for each other, then you know you can only go so far.

“The weekend against the Bulls, they are a physical side, and if you are going to let them run at you for 80 minutes, they are going to give you a hiding. For us, it is about manning up on the weekends, doing what we did wrong better, and just fronting up and making our tackles.

“Unfortunately, that is something I cannot do for the players on the