Lions coach puts Sharks loss down to opponents’ experience

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen believes the experience sported by the Sharks made all the difference in their URC clash.

Van Rooyen saw his side blown out of the water in a 37-10 loss.

Sharks have too much for the Lions

The coach believes that the Sharks big guns swung the game in their favour.

“Their experience definitely made a difference. I think the guys could feel like they played against 10 internationals tonight. To have someone of the quality of (Springbok captain) Siya (Kolisi) coming off the bench and making a massive impact was big for them,” said Van Rooyen.

“Jaden (Hendrikse) made a massive impact (off the bench), (Makazole) Mapimpi showed his class again tonight. So you could definitely say that their experience played a big part in how they controlled the momentum of the game.”

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Bounce of the ball

Van Rooyen insists that the match might have gone differently were it not for key moments falling to the Sharks.

“I think we managed to get the momentum and pressure back on to our side in the last 10 minutes before halftime, and our kicking game was much better in the latter part of the first half,” said Van Rooyen.

“Unfortunately there was about a 15 minute period in the second half where we really let ourselves down. I think the charge down (try) was a vital moment in the change of momentum and then with the short kick-off they managed to score again.

“In the end it looks like we lost the physical and kicking battles. But for 60 to 65 minutes, even though the scoreboard didn’t show it, I think we were right in the game. So we are obviously disappointed with that. But it was a good physical South African derby.”

The Lions face the Stormers at Ellis Park next week.