Van Rooyen says team's morale tested after player’s death and tough tour

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen says it is not getting easier for his team to be on the road after a 10-31 loss to Edinburgh in their United Rugby Championship (URC) fixture on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Sharks coach JP Pietersen has praised his team’s character after a 36-21 win over Cardiff.

To many, it is still difficult to understand why the Lions took to the field in Edinburgh on Friday night, a week after the death of one of their players, Hyron Andrews.

The sentiments were the same when they took to the field during their 14-31 loss to Stade Rochelais in the Champions Cup last week, a day after the death of Andrews.

Van Rooyen, after the URC 10-31 loss to Edinburgh on Friday, reiterated to the media that being on tour has taken its toll on the team after the death of Andrews.

Obviously, it’s difficult. Like I said last week, there are no manuals for this. It is tough not being at home

—  Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen

“Obviously, it’s difficult. Like I said last week, there are no manuals for this. It is tough not being at home. What we went through a week ago, [it is] not getting any easier [being] in Scotland for two weeks; [there’s been] rain and cold and all of that,” said Van Rooyen.

“But that’s unfortunately the cards that have been dealt to us currently. It’s also our responsibility to pull together and see if we can find solutions.” he added.

While Van Rooyen’s Lions struggled in Scotland, JP Pietersen’s Sharks showed character in Wales as they moved past Cardiff with a hard-fought 36-21 victory.

Zekhethelo Siyaya walked away with the player of the match award as the full back put on a performance well beyond his 19 years of age against a tough opponent in Cardiff.

Overall, it just shows the character in the group and the belief in the group 

—  Sharks coach JP Pietersen

Reflecting on the game, Pietersen highlighted the character and belief within the team as key factors in them going all the way on Friday.

“Overall, it just shows the character in the group and the belief in the group. We had four injuries in quick succession, and the beautiful thing about this team is they found a way to get on with it and find a way to pull closer together,” said Pietersen.

“They must give massive credit to the group, to the players for sticking in a fight and finishing the game off like that. We just saw how deeply this group cares about this badge and our identity and the way we want to take this Sharks organisation forward.

“Yes, we know it wasn’t perfect. As we know, we’re still in the process of becoming that team. We’re just happy with the result and over the moon to get five points in Cardiff.”