In Africa, few creatures inspire such lore and legend as the majestic king of the beasts and this is why they symbolize power and respect all through the continent, and even across the world. The masai , a nomadic warrior people from Tanzania and Kenia, believes that killing a lion with your bare hands is the single greatest achievement a man can accomplish in his lifetime (short as it may be).


However, let it be known that the Jozi-jungle is not like the rest of Africa, not even a lion can walk around unscathed in this city it seems. Here, lions frequently get slaughtered by cows, koalas, ponies and even a flower or two, slaughtered and devoured. It is therefore quite appropriate that their lair is known as Coca-Cola Park, because coke goes well with any meal.

The Lions are probably most famous for their incredible ability to self-destruct. The effort that the Lions sometimes go to, to lose a game is absolutely astonishing, if there was a way that you could score an own goal in rugby, the Lions would absolutely jump on it.

Delving into the Lions’ style of rugby and their general approach would bring us nowhere, simply because there is no real structure in the game that they play. They do not possess a dominating pack of forwards or a vindictive flyhalf that can control the game. As a result, they have evolved into scavengers, hunting down balls in the loose facets and then using that possession to counter-attack. If they cannot win the ball, they attempt to spoil opposition ball, which in turn leads to a game that may be physical and brutal, but isn’t rugby as much as it is a wrestling match.

Yes, this approach sometimes leads to a victory, but it remains a gamble, especially when the opposition can rumble as good as you can. Once the Lions team attempts this against a structured team, everything goes to pieces, literally.
The main problem at the Lions camp seems to be their approach to rugby as a whole, it seems as if the Lions still approach rugby in the way that it has been approached in the amateur era, where teams relied on individual abilities, player and supporter loyalty, luck and generally roughing it, when the going got tough. Well the going IS tough, and before long something, or someone needs to get going.

I believe that the blame for poor form of Lions Rugby, should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the Gauteng Lions Rugby Union.
Rugby has been a professional sport since after the 1995 World Cup, the players became contracted to their different unions, and the game evolved from being a Saturday afternoon pass-time, to being a business. The players being the most expensive and temperamental commodities were in essence assets of the organization, who in turn started appointing people to aid in managing the players’ careers to ensure that they received the maximum return on their investment.

Or rather, that is how everyone else did it, the Lions Rugby Union only appointed a contract manager late in 2009, 14 years after the game turned professional, and this was only after the whole Jacque Fourie debacle. The GLRU lost masses of players, simply because their paperwork wasn’t up to scratch.

The question begs asking: If you were managed like you were an amateur, would you play like a professional?  In fact, will you play at all?

The Team

2010 sees a new Director of Rugby take up the reigns at Coca-Cola Park. But do not expect miracles to follow immediately, a recipe is only as good as the ingredients, and good food takes time!

In the front row Hans van Dyk, JC Janse van Rensburg, Ross geldenhuys, Lawrence Sephaka and Heinke van der Merwe seem solid enough to withstand most of the other Super 14 teams, but only because scrumming isn’t particularly emphasized in super rugby. In the second row Nico Luus and Jannes Labuschagne have been around the block, with young Franco van der Merwe developing nicely, but injury to any one of these players, leave the Lions seriously exposed, as their cover comes from first division teams that has never played super rugby before, and judging on the poor line-out work during the Currie Cup, the three of them already have their backs against the wall. At least there should be no problems in the backrow, Alberts, Baywatch, new boy Mokuena and Minnie are all superb players, and with the overflowing wealth of loosies in SA, I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of the new bucks becoming an overnight sensation.

Amongst the backs they have a few new acquisitions, at scrumhalve Jano Vermaak (incidently the Lions’ player of the year) picks himself, with Chris Jonck providing cover, however, JP Joubert from the Cheetahs have also been training with the Jozi side, which might leave Jonck out in the cold.

Herkie Kruger was mostly solid during the Currie Cup, and is busy regaining some of the form that saw him front up the Sharks a few seasons back, new transfer Burton Francis from the Bulls looked good enough in one or two games during the Currie Cup, but I seriously question his ability under pressure, performing behind a retreating pack is quite different than the other way around. Of course there is also the Rose duo to consider, both Earl and Jody showing some ecstatic form during the past season, unfortunately, Earl is about as consistent as cellphone coverage in the Karoo, and can either win or lose a match for his team, from flyhalf, wing or fullback.

At centre Doppies le Grange, Alwyn Hollenbach, Jannie Boshoff, Walter Venter and ex-bull Marius Delport should be solid enough if they remain fit and focused, none of them being truly flashy, but maybe dependable is what the Lions require at the moment. While on the wing Jackson, Frolick, Killian, Mentz, Noble and Mr. Lightening Chavanga have more than enough pace to burn. Louis Ludik was spotted at a few Shark training sessions during the off-season, hopefully the Lions retain him, for he and Rose make up the fullback berth. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if Chavanga is also given some time at 15, watch this space!

Overall the Lions seem to have pretty decent players in most positions, their lack of depth and experience at lock though could become very costly, this goes for the entire front row unit as well, you cannot play the game without the ball. I however can’t see them shaking their choker tag, Lions to finish last of the SA teams, but hopefully that is way up the log. Results to follow in 2011, when Muir has had a fair chance to shine.

Clashes to watch
17 April 2010 – Lions vs Sharks (Jozi) – They almost got the better of them in the CC, maybe their time has come
12 February 2010 – Lions vs Stormers (Jozi) – It seems that the Lions has the Stormers’ number, for once it could be a game not spoiled by negative play.

Forwards:

JC Janse van Rensburg, Kevin Buys, Wayne Swart, Lawrence Sephaka, Ross Geldenhuys, Charl de Plessis, Hans van Dyk, Derek Harwood, Nico Luus, Wouter Moore, Franco van der Merwe, Jannes Labuschagne, Jacques Lombaard, Jeffrey Taljaard, Willem Alberts, Cobus Grobbelaar, Jonathan Mokuena, Derick Minnie, Johan van Deventer, Robert Kruger, Danie Crous, Thuliphatu Marole, Warren Whiteley, Justin Wheeler, Stephan Kruger, Mina Nassif, Heinke van der Merwe, Gert Muller, Johan Snyman

Backs:

Alex Kock, Chris Jonck, Herkie Kruger, Ruan Boshoff, Divan Kotze, Jody Rose, Allistair Siegelaar, Dusty Noble, Michael Killian, Henno Mentz, Johan Jackson, Wigan Pekeur, Jannie Boshoff, Justin St Jerry, Pieter Engelbrecht, Alwyn Hollenbach, Doppies la Grange, Rouan Cloete, Shandre Frolick, Warren van Rooyen, Walter Venter, Marius Delport, Deon van Rensburg, Burton Francis, Earl Rose, Louis Ludik, Jano Vermaak, Tonderai Chavanga, JP Joubert

The players joining the Auto & General Super 14 Lions from the Leopards and the Pumas:

Leopards:
Draad Linde
Ryno Landman
Thabo Mamojela

Pumas:
Marius Coetzer
Hannes Franklin

105 Responses to The Saint’s Super SA Showdown – The Lions

  • 91

    The Lions offered Spencer (34) a contract worth more than the one that Juan Martin Hernandez got from the Sharks, because the move will also see Spencer playing an active role as skills coach. There are some difficulties with Spencer’s work permit, but he should arrive in the country within the next ten days.

    I can’t help but think that this is a desperation move, why, if you are willing to put up those amounts of money, get a has-been? It’s the same as the time Tony Brown went to the Stormers, it makes very little rugby sense. You spend huge amounts of dough, for a player that is 2 steps slower than anyone else. Yes, he will probably be good for the young Lions backline, where they have just lost a seasoned veteran like Fourie, but is he really the dominant 10 that the Lions need?

  • 92

    91 – Saint. Agreed. Going back a few years Carlos was my favourite player on the international scene. Indeed, while living in Auckland, I watched him train/play with great interest. He possessed extraordinary skills and his hand/eye co-ordination allowed him to do almost super-human things on the field, and all with a cheeky grin on his face. An exceptional player in terms of running and kicking. Having said all that, I also watched him when the Wallabies played his club side on the EOYT. Unfortunately, that’s what father-time does to us all; the skills go and the footwork dries up, and for Carlos, that’s what has happened. He may as well not been on the field against the Wallabies – sad but true.

    So, what will he bring to the Lions? As a player/skills coach, in a foreign land, not very much, IMHO.

    But, hey, good luck to Carlos; as a past fan, I wish him every success.

  • 93

    We struggle with no 10s in this country, because we all dream of buying a Daniel Carter or Matt Gittau. We dont bring our young talent trough the ranks up. Dont tell me Carter was flawless when he was 18, 20 , same to Gittau. The Bulls is willing to bring young flyhalves trough, Hougaart, Steyn, JLP, Burton and Brummer all played decent games for the Blue Bulls and Bulls.

    Look what the Lions do, the Sharks and Stormers, no young player gets a good chance to settle.

  • 94

    I will go so far as to say that if the Bulls had Earl Rose and Monty Dumond they would have been far more developed players by now. Earl just need better visionary players with him, he does the most extraordinary stuff, but with someone who understands him he would have been much better.

  • 95

    #94

    Earl needs someone who understands him? I have just the guy, he’s a clinical psychologist at Wits University, if he doesn’t understand Earl Rose I’ll eat my hat…

  • 96

    #93

    Peter Grant’s tactical kicking was much better in the 2009 season for WP compared to previous years, and I think exposure to De Waal made this possible. I hear good things about Lionel Cronje, having him work with De Waal during the off season might just spark something exciting…

  • 97

    For once I will actually agree with Super, Earl has a skill set second to none but has never been given the surroundings or environment to enhance that to the benefit of the team or himself.

  • 98

    Morning Morne.
    As Saint implies, it is what is going on in Earls head that has to be fixed.
    That is supposing it is fixable.
    Other than that, there is no doubt that he has skills.

  • 99

    Morning GBS!!!!
    Saint and Tight head in the team!!
    Both props!!
    RT must be worth millions already!!

  • 100

    Morning TH,

    Take my word for it that it can be fixed.

    I reckon people misunderstand when people refer to players like Earl as being guys who are ‘confidence’ players.

    Firstly, every player is a confidence player, no-one plays well when low on confidence.

    And secondly, no coach has provided Earl with the platform both mentally and practically to utilise his skill set. A good start will be to guarrantee him x number of games if he stays fit and injury free.

  • 101

    Yes Morne, too true.
    It gets back to our old point about player management and good coaches who understand how to get the most out of a player.
    As we have said a thousand times, we dont have player challenges, but we certaimly have coaching and admin issues!!

  • 102

    TH @ 101

    Player management and more paticularly a type of mentoring programme has been discussed for at least three (3) years now at the GLRU without (to the best of my knowledge) anything concrete being done.

    Young “previously disadvantaged” (I hate that expression) players who are suddenly in the public eye, earning (relatively) large amounts of money, and have been (in most cases) plucked away from both their comfort zones and support structures (family, parents etc.) can (and do) tend to de-rail in spectacular syle.

    If a young man like Earl Rose has personal issues off the field and has nobody that he can talk to in confidence to help him with advise and sometimes just a friendly (and perhaps older) ear, then it IS going to affect his work performance. (And let’s face it, Saturday afternoon on the park, is just a public window into a part of a Rugby players working week.)

    Rugby players are after all human.

  • 103

    Morning Scrumdown.
    Exactly, well put.
    I agree totally.
    Players are human beings doing a job, just like everybody else.
    This is something often overlooked by a critical public and not addressed professionally enough by some administrators and coaches.

  • 104

    Scrumdown,

    Which is why I have been advocating that every single rugby union in SA need to have an academy where young professionals are not only taught in the skills and demands of pro-rugby, but also life-skills to help them survive in a professional, very public domain.

    To my mind it should almost be a law that all young professionals between 19 and 22 have to attend these courses and/or programs as part of their contractual obligations to the union.

  • 105

    99@ Tight Head – Hehehehe

    Of course R-T is worth millions… but would’nt trade it for the world…. well OK, for the World maybe, just maybe!

    Hehehehe

Users Online

Total 326 users including 0 member, 326 guests, 0 bot online

Most users ever online were 3735, on 31 August 2022 @ 6:23 pm