Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
Xerox Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen pointed to decision-making as a key area when his side takes on the Vodacom Bulls in the Carling Currie Cup semi-finals on Saturday.
The Vodacom Bulls squeezed out a 22-15 win over their Gauteng neighbours when they last clashed three weeks ago. His side can reverse that result if they make the correct decisions at the right time, Van Rooyen feels.
“Decision-making was an important aspect we have since worked on with the players,” he said.
“In order to keep that pressure, either on defence or attack, you need to make the right decisions on both those aspects. If we manage that, we will be in with a chance.”
“We realise that semi-finals are about two or three big moments normally," Van Rooyen said. “Our last match against the Vodacom Bulls were played in wet conditions and we all know how good their kicking game is.
“The conditions will certainly be a factor in how we approach and execute this match and we will have to put more pressure on them defensively than we did in our last encounter.”
Van Rooyen, who joined the franchise as a strength and conditioning coach way back in 2009, feels that his players have progressed well during the season.
"We have made 10 consecutive semi-finals now, so we are blessed to be in that position again,” Van Rooyen said.
"The coaching staff and management had developed over the season and I think we are in a good place at the moment."