The Lions will be utilising Richard Kriel’s inside knowledge of Zebre as they look for any possible advantage in the hunt for the Italian side on home turf on Saturday.
Back in Johannesburg after a four-week tour of the UK and Ireland, the Lions will be salivating to add to their solitary win this season when they welcome Zebre to Ellis Park.
Part of the Pride’s arsenal is outside back Kriel, who spent a season in Parma after struggling for regular game time at the Vodacom Bulls, where he started his professional career.
Lions assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher hinted during a press conference on Tuesday that they will be tapping into Kriel’s experience of Italian rugby as they look to kick-start their season with a run of home fixtures.
“It’s always good to have a chat,” Loubscher said. “Today’s a typical day when we do all our meetings, our reviews and previews.
“I am sure there are one or two things that he can share with us. But we are looking forward to the game on the weekend.”
Kriel, who scored two tries in 11 Vodacom URC appearances for Zebre during a winless 2022-23 season, is wary of how his former side has started the new season.
“They beat the Sharks and drew with Cardiff,” Kriel warned. “I think they are playing really good rugby at the moment. If you give them a sniff, then they will come for you. They are really passionate and love their rugby. We mustn’t underestimate them.
“I can’t wait to see some of the boys again. We had some good times last year. I will go and see some of the boys for a coffee during the weekend and hopefully, it will be a nice game this weekend.
If we do what we know we can do, then we can take them.”
Kriel opened his Lions account by dotting down in the narrow loss to Ulster in Belfast and, despite recent rumblings from across the Jukskei about the length of this season’s northern hemisphere tour, says he enjoyed his experience.
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“It was my first four-week tour. When I was at Zebre, we used to just go over on the Friday, play on the Saturday and come back. So I actually enjoyed it.
“We got a lot closer, the whole team, we had a few good team dinners. For me, it was a great experience and I enjoyed it.”
The younger brother of Bulls’ utility back David by a year, Richard is delighted with how his sibling has started the season.
“Me and my boet, we still live together. We are professional, so we don’t share each other’s plays or anything like that. We still live together in Pretoria but life’s good.
“I believe my brother is the better player between us. I can’t see a team where he’s not picked. He’s in great form at the moment. We do share tips with each other and talk about rugby, what we would do in a situation, this and that.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images