Lions send for a shrink as Crusaders loom

CRAIG SIMCOX/The Dominion Post

SHRINK: Carlos Spencer's Lions team are flying in a psychologist from South Africa to help them try to beat the Crusaders.

Related Links

Chiefs win high scoring match with Lions Hurricanes make it 3 straight, beat Lions Brumbies down the Lions Drew Mitchell headlines big Waratahs night

Relevant offers

The struggling Lions are flying in a psychologist from South Africa to help them try to beat the Crusaders this weekend.

Five consecutive losses - two of them conceding more than 70 points - have turned the Lions into pussycats.

And their latest effort - a 73-12 mauling from the Waratahs - has seen Lions chairman Kevin de Klerk hand his air ticket to Christchurch to South Africa's leading sports psychologist Henning Gericke.

De Klerk had hoped to join the Lions for their final two matches on their tour against the Crusaders and Highlanders, saying in a media statement that he wanted to provide "moral support".

In the wake of the latest shambles he has clearly seen the need for something with a bit more substance although it might take more than just some positive thinking to beat the red and blacks at AMI Stadium.

"After reviewing the current situation over the weekend I have decided not to undertake the trip to New Zealand. Instead I've decided to send our team psychologist, Dr Henning Gericke, in my place," de Klerk said.

"I have full confidence in the coaching staff and in Henning's ability to lift the team, and I am certain that they will bounce back over the next weekend."

Gericke worked with the Springboks in their successful 2007 World Cup campaign and was involved with the Lions last year as well as for their two home games this season.

The Johannesburg franchise has invested plenty into trying to resurrect the fortunes of the once proud province.

They have hired former Sharks coach and now Springboks assistant Dick Muir to guide the team and brought in former All Black Carlos Spencer as an option at first five-eighths and as a mentor to the teams young backs.

The Lions lie 13th with just two bonus points. They have conceded 29 tries and 228 points in five matches to have the worst defensive record in the competition.

Things won't get any easier against the Crusaders who are the best placed New Zealand side at No 3 and appear to be building some impressive form.

- © Fairfax NZ News