The Lions broke their United Rugby Championship (URC) duck at the weekend with a workmanlike victory over the Scarlets at Ellis Park, but they will need to lift their performance considerably when they host Ulster this week.
Ulster are unbeaten in three games and sit fifth on the URC points table, despite having played one fewer match than most other teams — the Ulster-Edinburgh fixture scheduled a few weeks ago was postponed due to Storm Amy.
The Northern Irish side have been on something of a giant-killing spree, having defeated two South African heavyweights in the last fortnight. The Bulls were routed 28-7 in Belfast, and on Saturday, the Sharks — featuring 13 Springboks — were shocked 34-26 at Kings Park.
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen, speaking after his team had beaten the Scarlets but before the Sharks game kicked off, praised Ulster: “They’re one of the form teams thus far this season. They’re really looking good.”
Imagine what he would have said two hours later after the Sharks were humbled by Ulster.
Van Rooyen feels his team is on the rise after a difficult period and is optimistic ahead of this week’s encounter with Ulster.
“Our cohesion on attack should allow us to utilise the pictures we created against the Scarlets, as well as our attacking breakdown,” he said.
What exactly that means, we cannot be sure, but at least Van Rooyen sounded encouraged.
“We also need to ensure consistency all around and make sure we’re all on the same page, whether that’s in attack, defence, or kicking. Everyone knows what to do, whether we’re applying pressure or under it, to get the best outcome for the team.”
An even happier coach on Saturday was Ulster’s Richie Murphy, who will go head-to-head with Van Rooyen this week.
“To beat a Sharks team of serious quality is a big statement from us,” he said. “They put some big names on the pitch. We are very satisfied with how we managed to stay in the fight when our set piece was not going to plan, and off turnover ball, we were very dangerous.”
Ulster have been building steadily under Murphy after a rocky period, and he feels the team has crossed a watershed after beating the Bulls and Sharks.
“Last week, the game against the Bulls felt like a big moment where we moved in the right direction,” Murphy said.
“You can see how much the players want to play for each other, and the commitment they have towards Ulster, which is huge. We will keep pointing them in the right direction this week against the Lions. There are loads of things we as coaches feel we can work on to get better, but we are happy with how we are progressing at this stage.”
Murphy said going up against a Sharks team boasting icons such as Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Andre Esterhuizen, Grant Williams, and Ox Nche was intimidating.
“When you see the names on the team sheet, it’s easy to give up, maybe thinking about next week’s game, but that is not the type of team we are.
“We want to play against the best teams with their best players, and that challenge has galvanised our squad. I feel we have shown a new side of the team we want to be — a very committed bunch of players working hard for each other.”
