Lions vow more thrills and spills

29 January 2015 - 02:13 By Sbu Mjikeliso
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Lions'Lionel Mapoe.
Lions'Lionel Mapoe.

Lionel Mapoe has promised that the Lions will play an exciting style of rugby in this year's Super rugby competition, something we saw plenty of during last year's Currie Cup.

Of course, not every match will be like the 50-point, six-try romp against the Sharks in the semifinal, but we are likely to see a Lions side of extroverts come next month.

Hard-running inside centre Stokkies Hanekom is over the injury worries that closed his season prematurely last year, and centre partner Mapoe said this was the freshest he had felt before a season-opener in years.

Add enigmatic flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff and electrifying inside centre Howard Mnisi and you've got a recipe for a potent attacking backline.

"I can tell you that the brand of rugby we're going to play is going to be exciting," said Mapoe.

"We want to sharpen up on our attack in pre-season and also on our defence, but we'll definitely be as bold as we were in the Currie Cup when we have ball in hand.

"Stokkies will be good to play in the first game. Playing with him and Marnitz is going to be great. We've played together for a while now and we know eachother, and the understanding between the backline players is good.

"We are working on the fine details of our attack at the moment

"We want to show other teams that we can be up there with the best this season."

The Hurricanes visiting Ellis Park first up, especially on Friday the 13th next month, is daunting for the Johannesburg outfit.

Although Mapoe acknowledged the class in the New Zealanders' ranks, he said his side, built by coach Johan Ackermann, is solid enough to withstand the coming storm.

And what a gusty storm it promises to be. The Hurricanes possess the platinum belt of All Black talent, from Julian Savea to Conrad Smith, Beauden Barrett, Ben Franks, Cory Jane and Dane Coles.

"The start against the Hurricanes is going to be tough, like all games in Super rugby," Mapoe said.

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