On the comeback trail: Kriel adds experience to young Lions team

Lions loose forward Jaco Kriel is back in action after another long injury layoff and is looking to get back to his best for the union, as they battle it out on two massive fronts this season.

The Lions are taking part in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and the Challenge Cup and Kriel is one of the most experienced members in a young team that is constantly improving.

It has been a difficult past few years for Kriel, who had to battle with a number of injuries during his time in England at Gloucester, and has had to do the same on his return to the Lions over the past few seasons.

However, he is now back and hoping to feature as much as he can for the Lions over the rest of the season.

“It’s obviously good to be back. It’s never nice sitting on the sideline. I was injured at the start of the year and then I got sick at the beginning of the season, so I was out for a couple of months with that,” explained Kriel.

“But I have been slowly building back into it, so I am happy to be playing again. Fitness wise I am not quite where I want to be at the moment but that will come in good time.

“Before the season started coach Cash (Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen) asked me how many games will my body take, and I told him that I am feeling good, so as many as possible. So for me it is about being on the field as much as I can and contributing to the team.”

Regular starter

The Lions returned to action after the international break in late November and Kriel made his first appearance of the season starting in their URC win over the Scarlets in early December.

Since then he has started both Challenge Cup games – a draw against the Dragons and a win over Stade Francais – and came off the bench in the Lions’ heavy URC loss to the Sharks in their most recent outing.

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With an away game against the Stormers coming up and then a tough away European run with two URC games and two Challenge Cup matches overseas, Kriel’s fitness will be tested to the max over the coming weeks.

“Over the last few years I have struggled to play a lot of games in a row. So now it’s just about me being on the field and getting in a good run of games,” he said.

“ As a rugby player you want to be on the field as much as possible, and being out for so long you realise that being in the team environment and being able to run on the field is such a special positon to be in.

“It is a privilege and sometimes you take it for granted, so for me I am just focused on keeping my body in as good condition as I can and trying to play in as many games.”

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With a difficult festive season run for the Lions, Kriel will be aiming to impart as much knowledge as he can to his teammates, as he has already experienced this when playing for Gloucester.

He will also aim to be as close to his best as he can be, so that he can assist the squad in trying to achieve their goals over the rest of the campaign.

Chase for the playoffs

“I played at Gloucester over the festive season. So for me it isn’t something new and I am a bit used to it. Obviously it is a bit different weather this side than that side,” said Kriel.

“You don’t want to set standards and say you want to end at a certain place. But for me I would really like it if the Lions could be in a playoff spot at the end of the season in the URC and that will give us a good chance of playing in the Champions Cup.

“So that’s a good goal for me personally to help contribute to the team and put them in the best position to achieve that.”