WELLINGTON

Inspirational WELLINGTON LIONS captain DU’PLESSIS KIRIFI. COACH: LEO CROWLEY HOME GROUND:

SKY STADIUM, WELLINGTON

WEBSITE: www.wellingtonlions.co.nz TICKETS: www.flicket.co.nz ADDRESS:

PO BOX 7201, WELLINGTON SOUTH 6242

PHONE: 04 389 0020 EMAIL: mail@wrfu.co.nz

Lions head coach Leo Crowley has taken plenty of learnings from last season’s disappointing campaign of three wins and five losses.

“It’s about realising we had good periods last year but also down periods. We lost key moments through ill-discipline and conceding penalties that we need to put right,” he says. “Coming out of the COVID break was tough for us as we probably thought we were ready, better than how we actually played. A lot of that comes down to training in our own little bubble as we didn’t get enough people in to train against us as opposition.” The Lions will again be captained by inspirational openside flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi who epitomises what it means to lead from the front. “We will definitely get the benefit of him coming off a good Hurricanes season. When Du’Plessis is full of energy, so is the team,” says Crowley. The Lions have a strong forward pack, particularly at lock with James Blackwell, Dominic Bird and Caleb Delany outstanding. Hooker Asafo Aumua missing out on All Blacks selection means improved go-forward and scrummaging power for the Lions. Crowley says Aumua is a massive part of their game. “He is a quality player and will strengthen up that front row, which for us is pretty young this year. We have a few boys in the club environment we can call on if we get injuries there. We certainly have some fire power in certain areas but we just have to be on the ball right from the start.”

Another to miss out on the All Blacks is halfback TJ Perenara, who will mentor the other halfbacks, Connor Collins and Richard Judd. Crowley says it is always a tricky situation with All Blacks as you never know when they might be re-selected, but Perenara’s knowledge of rugby and the way he looks out for the younger guys will be huge inspiration for his teammates.

Outside the halfbacks, there are three talented first-fives in Jackson Garden-Bachop, Ruben Love and Aidan Morgan. Midfielder Peter Umaga-Jensen will want to display consistent form to showcase his skills and attract the interest of the All Blacks selectors. Promising New Zealand Under-20s centre Riley Higgins is highly regarded and will make his debut this campaign.

Young LIONS halfback CONNOR COLLINS makes a break.

One of the best nurseries for young rugby talent in New Zealand has to be the Wellington Academy. Season after season, top-quality players come through the Academy to make their debuts for the Lions. Crowley says last year’s group was very special with Higgins, New Zealand Under-20s flanker Peter Lakai and loose forward Sione Halalilo gaining fulltime contracts with the Lions this year. “There are several other special projects coming through the Academy that hopefully will serve Wellington well in the coming years.”