Head Coach Filo Tiatia has acknowledged the size of the task ahead for his Dragons when they face Fidelity SecureDrive Lions this weekend - admitting: “they expose teams not used to the altitude”.
The Men of Gwent head to the heights of Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm UK time) to tackle the in-form Lions who romped to a 54-17 success over Edinburgh at home last weekend.
The Round 14 clash in Johannesburg will be played out at a stadium at a high altitude of approximately 1,724 metres above sea level.
And Tiatia has spoken of his admiration for the way Lions use those conditions to their advantage and play the game with an exciting attacking style.
“The DNA of the Lions is that they will expose teams that are not used to the altitude,” he stated.
“They will kick the ball, turn you around and they are a smart team tactically.
“If you set yourself deep in the back field, they put little ten and 15 metre dinks in behind.
“They are coached well, they know how to use altitude as a weapon, but I really like the way they play.
“They launch from deep, particularly from the scrums. They are an attacking side.
“There are opportunities against them as well if we keep building our mentality to stay in the fight.
“It will be a different challenge, and our young boys will get exposed again, but we must embrace that and look to go again.”
The DNA of the Lions is that they will expose teams that are not used to the altitude...
