'Terrible' Lions tackling leaves Jaque Fourie bitterly disapppointed: 'You can't coach heart'

Introspection has been the buzzword in the Lions camp to date this week following two chastening losses in the United Rugby Championship over the past fortnight.

Vice-captain Jaco Kriel didn't mince his words after last week's 34-10 loss to the Bulls at Ellis Park, lambasting his team-mates for a lack of commitment, particularly on defence.

Now, defence coach Jaque Fourie has adopted a similar line, emphasising that no amount of coaching can lead to a player marking his opponent effectively if he doesn't have the right attitude.

And, given the fact that the Lions have conceded 10 tries in their two most recent performances, it's clear that the team is lacking intent on defence.

READ | Lions lack of defensive intensity, attitude, concerns Kriel after Bulls defeat

"In the last two games our defence was terrible. I'm not going to beat about the bush about that. There's certain stuff we have to work on," said Fourie, renowned during his 72-Test Springbok career for being one of the best defenders in history.

"Unfortunately if you don't have heart and attitude, you can only take a horse so far. You can take him to the water but you can't force him to drink. It's about getting these guys to play for each other every game. It's about the respect for the player inside and outside of you."Knowing he's going to do his job just like you are doing yours. It's a team sport."

Fourie, who's still relatively new to top-level coaching, doesn't shy away from his own responsibility of implementing a viable, watertight defensive system, but from the outset he's made it clear that his philosophy is based on players simply being committed.

"If you're willing to work for the guy next to you, he'll do the same for you," he said.

"If always told people