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
#23 – If you refer to the Lions being that Joke of South African rugby because of the contractual business of Fourie, Ludik and Alberts, then please give me your mail address to enlighten you on what exactly transpired.
One-dimensional and simplistic? Now that’s funny. Seems that most supporters think that of other union’s supportersbase. 😆
This is why I love rugby.
The Stormers, with three warm-up matches, should be well-prepared when they run out against the Lions. They play the Force from Perth at Newlands on January 23 and follow that up with a match against the Sharks on January 29, also at Newlands.
The Cavaliers are next on their list when they play their franchise partner in the new Cape Town Stadium on February 6.
Willa naand,
Great man fight tooth and nails for your team, at this stage all is a mystery down in your camp. I hope our neighbors get it right, best of luck. You guys are going to need it. Wonder how many players will DM move to new positions? My guess is 4.
Naand Superbul,
I will fight to the bitter death for my Lions. 😆
He’s in a good space already, we have a couple of players able to play more than one position. It worked for him at the Sharks. If Frans Steyn didn’t have a brain implosion against you guys in the final, Muir would have been the one with a Super 14 title in his second season. But unfortunatly for him, Steyn did, and it was Meyer with a title in he’s 8th attempt.
Dick achieved miracles with the Sharks. Let’s hope for the same.
I dont know if Dick was solely responsible for that failure but i blame him. Anyway it is all guess work. HM did have a plan and in all honesty his plans worked. He will always be highly regarded in our eyes.
Even in NZ they acknowledge his talents.
But like i said too early to decide. I just know one thing the Bulls have a tough first s14 game against the Cheetahs. They always come like madmen against us.
That is gonna be a cracker. Two great games first up. Bulls vs Cheetahs and Lions vs Stormers. One heck of a week-end. And then after the Storms we travel to Bloemfontein. Also gonna be a cracker.
Where do you play the Stormers?
Ellispark, in the den.
Dit gaan kwaai wees. Kan nie wag nie. Nogal nuuskierig hoe die Stormers vir Habana gaan gebruik. Hy was moerse goed saam met Fourie du Preez, die twee het great saam gewerk.
Ja, ek dink nie Mossie en Habana gan baie bal sien nie. Lyk my Willem de Waal gan eerste keuse wees as ek so kyk wat Saint se. En ek rate ook nie regtig vir Grant nie.
Hulle vaste vyf gan sukkel en hulle het ook nie n oortuigende skakelpaar nie. So ons sal maar sien.
En se wat jy wil, Luke het baie beteken vir die WP. Was goed op die grond en ek dink hulle het n moerse fout gemaak om Schalk kaptein te maak. Gan sy game be-invloed. Hulle gan vir Luke mis.
Ja ek los dit ook maar daar, tyd sal leer. Moet se Habana kan van niks af n drie druk. So hy sal iewers vir hulle baie beteken. Groot Bul wat daar gegaan het.
Weet jy of Bom Samaai daar by julle is. Ek like die ou.
Laaste wat ek gehoor het is ons het hom n offer gemaak en probeer hom uit sy kontrak kry. Kan moontlik nog hierdie maand join. Maar ons kan hom gebruik. So glo hy sal def feature.
Willa dis waar, ek hou niks van sy houdings nie maar hy speel n goeie game. In 2006 het ek dit gewaag om te se hy sal goed doen by die Bulle. Glo nog so.
Ek sou hom graag by die Bulle wou sien, onderhandel net julle met hom. As ons nie getraai het nie is ek nogal teleurgesteld. Gerhard vd Heever , eish ek weet nog nie so mooi nie. Hoop maar vir die beste.
vd Heever lyk vir my so bietjie effe op verdediging. Ek sou eerder vir Jaco Pretorius op vleuel gebruik het as op senter. Hy is useless in die middelveld. Delport was vir my baie beter as vd Heever,
Hy’t goed gedoen in Wynand se plek op senter. Moet net speelkans kry dan kan hy weer goeie rugby speel glo ek.
Nou ja dis nou slaaptyd vir my ek dink in die volgende maand gaan ons nog lekker bespiegel oor die spelers en die spanne se planne.
Ek like so daai drie van Matfield in die S14 finaal ek dink hulle moet hom net oor en oor wys vir sy manne om hulle te wys hoe n gedetermineerde speler gaan vir die lyn. As jy nie om of deur kan gaan nie gaan dan blerrie oor. Just Do It.
Nag Willa.
Good night , sleep time.
Bwahahahaha, ja dit was netjies.
Lekker slaap. Praat weer.
GBS I have to log in everytime, it doesnt remember me and I am instructing my computer to do it…is there a hassle.
In my opinion the Lions will never do well as long as they play at Ellis park and their faithful supporters would rather watch on tv than take the trip to Ellis, which is a mission. its about family entertainment these days (the biggest reason for the Sharks success over the last 15 years or so). So a new stadium in the outlying areas, either on the East Rand or the Northern suburbs (north of the Jukskei) and build a new stadium, sell Ellis park to the developers and they’ll make enough money to do it. the most user friendly stadiums in SA are Loftus and Kings Park and they have the largest faithful. Rugby knowledge, the Loftus crowd are no 1. Sharks supporters are mostly just passionate about their team, with notable exceptions.
Doesnt matter who plays for the Lions, they are doomed unless they move
How that for a radical theory, anyway its my opinion.
Kak article. Not even worth arguing over.
50@ 4man – Sammajoor, daar’s fout met jou PC, tjomma….. geen sulke probleme hier of by enige ander blogger waarvan ek weet nie…… 2 dinge…. gooi meer parraffien in jou PC…. of as dit nie werk nie, gooi parraffien oor jou PC en trek ‘n vuurhoutjie….. hehehe
Lions will struggle, I am sure Dick is not on a 3 year plan like Loffie
Lions must be very carefull as they can be be relegated, it seems that the Spears are still preparing for something
Look the Lions have lots of money but no one wants to play in Jhb
They need to move Cola park to Midrand or have more dancers halftime for the fans(all 29 of them)
Fourie is happy to be in the Cape, but did not want his career at the Lions to end the way it did. He was in a contractual dispute with the Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) and the matter eventually went to arbitration, which ruled in Fourie’s favour that there was not a valid contract.
“I could have stayed at the Lions for three more years, but don’t want to measure myself according to those standards,” said Fourie about the team for which he made his first class debut in 2002.
He made his Super rugby debut in 2003 for the Cats. Province’s senior provincial coach, Rassie Erasmus, was a team-mate of his at the erstwhile franchise.
“It’s not the way I wanted to say goodbye to the Lions. They could have wished me well. I enjoyed my time there, but it’s behind me now,” said Fourie.
He also made the somewhat controversial statement during the Tri-Nations that he regards himself as the world’s best outside centre. He was probably not wrong, but those were still big words.
“I believe I’m up there. Obviously there is someone like Brian O’Driscoll. I probably expressed myself incorrectly. I believe I am one of the best centres in the world,” said Fourie.
He also believes he has not yet reached the peak in his career.
“My best is yet to come. If I shine in a team that performs poorly, imagine how I can play in one that does well!”
Imagine Luke having this much to say about himself. Lions better off without this “windgat” player.
Speaking of books, and possibly because there is not too much of interest happening in the rugby world at this time of year, I have composed a list of the 6 Sporting Books that I would like to read some day, assuming that somebody takes the time to actually write them:
1-4 not so funny to me….
5. Out Here on My Own – by Luke Watson
In this short four page personal triumph former Western Province Captain Luke Watson manages to speak about rugby without once reminding readers that his father was an activist or that he felt alienated by other boys when growing up. It’s a riveting read with a foreword by Zola Yeye who recounts the day that he held young baby Luke for the first time. It has never been confirmed where this event actually took place but we are sure there was no stable or shining star involved.
6. That Winning Season – by Rugby Guru
Ever hopeful Lions fan Rugby Guru reflects on the Golden Lions’ all conquering 2010 season in which they finally shook off the tag of also rans to emerge victorious in both the Super 14 and Currie Cup Finals. Highlights include turncoat Jaque Fourie’s intercepted pass to Bryan Habana in the Currie Cup Final and a lengthy interview with ex Lions Willem Alberts and Louis Ludick on what it felt like to move to the Sharks and still finish bottom of the Log.
I just can’t see the Lions moving out of the bottom 4 with that squad I’m afraid. One or two good players like Alberts, Heinke and La Grange, but thats about it.
Any bets on Jannes not making it to half time in the first game? 🙂
Alberts playing for Sharks me thinks, so I guess that only really leaves two??
Pakistan chasing 177 for a win is blowing it, current score 103/6 , how poor is their fight.
Hell i hope someone takes the bull by the horn, they dominated 3 days of the game , and they had almost 2 days to get to 177.
i Cant find any excuse for them.
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