ERIC MILLER gets the chance to enhance his chances of gaining a Test place on the Lions side when he plays on the open side flank against Northern Transvaal at Loftus Versfeld this afternoon.
Miller goes into the match knowing what is at stake as the Lions take on the first of the four Super 12 opponents they will encounter on tour. It is also the first of three matches in the space of a week that will present a big challenge for the tourists and they are under no illusions, but boosted considerably by the midweek performance given against Mpumalanga.
"I think that display on Wednesday in Witbank showed the depth of the squad we have," said coach Ian McGeechan, but then came a cautionary note. "We now enter a very intense period of the tour. I have no doubt that Northern Transvaal are better than any of the opponents we have yet encountered. We will have to lift the level of our performance. This will be the hardest rugby that the players have faced."
Commenting on the inclusion of Miller on the open side flank, McGeechan said, bit is a big test and a big opportunity for Eric. But he is a very exciting player who can play in any back row position. He is dynamic, skilful and extremely good on the ball. If we did not think he could fit into the number seven berth we would not have chosen him there.
Miller certainly looked sharp in training yesterday morning when Jeremy Davidson stood in at second row for Simon Shaw, who did not train because of an ankle injury. Davidson will play if Shaw is ruled out but that is unlikely. "I do not think I will be playing," said Davidson, "as we expect Simon to be fit." McGeechan endorsed those sentiments.
"I see this as a very good opportunity for me," said Miller. "I am quite comfortable playing on the openside flank. Obviously the selectors must now be working towards what they see as the Test team. A good display from the team and for me personally could put me in contention for a Test place.
Northern Transvaal did not make if to the semifinals of the Super 12 and in fact finished eighth, behind the other South African representatives in that competition. They were Gauteng Lions, (Transvaal), whom the Lions will meet at Ellis Park next Wednesday night, Natal, who reached the semifinals and who will be the Lions opponents next Saturday and Free State who await the tourists in the 10th match of the tour.
They include four Springboks in their side this afternoon, centre Danie van Sehalkwyk, hooker Henry Tromp, and backrow players Adriaan Richter, the captain, and Schutte Bekker. They will, however, be without wing Andrew Snymann, scrum half Joost van der Westhuizen, second row Kryman Otto and flanker Ruben Kruger, all of whom are in camp with the Springboks preparing for the international against Tonga in Cape Town on Tuesday.
Van der Westhuizen and Kruger are two of the best in their positions in the game and are a loss to the home side.
Northern Transvaal are coached by former Springboks second row John Williams, a man who played against the 1974 Lions.
This represents Williams' first encounter with the Lions since the famous 1974 series. "We are awaiting the match eagerly," he said yesterday. But Williams also admitted that "the Lions are getting better with each match and my respect for them has grown. They are beginning to look like a very formidable outfit. We have trained hard for this match and I feel confident we will give the Lions a severe test."
Lions captain Martin Johnson has warned his players against a loss of concentration. "We have tended to do that on occasions and cannot afford it this time. I am quite happy with our scrummaging. We have put in a lot of hard work in that area during the week. I am also very pleased with the level of discipline the players have shown. The more you win, the more your confidence grows and we are very confident, hut not in any way complacent going into the match."
