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
Pakistan 8/133, chasing 176 to win. Aus have the wind in their sails and are full of excitement. Can the Pakis get there, with another full day to go, plus plenty of overs today??
Great Aus bowling and the pressure is amazing. It’s worth a look if you are near a TV.
61 – If Australia win this it will be a great effort. To make 127 and trail by 200+ in your first innings, and come back to win, is not to shabby.
Life is Sydney usually centres around outdoors and water sports, so how about the surprise of a couple of fishermen a few days ago, fishing in one of Sydney’s rivers, using only light tackle and mullet for bait. They hooked a 300kg shovelnose shark. It took them over an hour to land it and the shark dragged their light tinny around the river for ages. How would you be feeling if you and your family swam in that river everyday of the summer??? (that figure is correct: 300 kg!!)
62 – you’d have to think they are a strong chance, given the Pakis are a young and fairly well inexperienced side. Every ball is enthralling to watch at present. Still could go either way . . .
63 – That is scary. Here in SA you almost always need to be awake in rivers with Crocs.
Pakis now 9/135, chasing 176.
66 – That should be it now. Game set and match.
Morning all! Winning becomes a habit and the Aussies know how to win. They never give up. Many teams just go through the motions in these circumstances. Congrats Oz on the win.
Pakistan all out 139 – Australia wins the test!! Amazing match. Aus deserve the win, but there’s a lot to like about the Pakis team. Commiserations to Pakistan.
68 – G’day mate. Yep, a truly extraordinary result for Australia. Tough stuff for the Pakis, they tried hard.
Wel, these Ausies just don’t now when they are down and out. Never say die attitude in cricket is great.
Howzit Irish, compliments to the season to you.
How poor can the Pakistan be to lose
I see England is being charged for manhandling the ball, rolling the ball under their shoes
72 – JL1
So we have our 300 lead, without Kallis and Boucher.
Great to have a cricket day like yesterday.
73 – Jl1
They must send Broad back to his daddy in England so that he can learn the rules of the game. What a disgrace.
I’m sure that Saint wrote this and the Cheetah’s article somewhat tongue in cheek, but as the saying goes, “where there’s smoke, there’s fire”.
We (the Lions fans) can look at things as we like, but the sad fact is that there are still MAJOR administrative problems in Doornfontein. I have to deal with them almost daily.
I don’t think this is the right place to either aire my views or criticise people working for the GLRU, but I know there are deep rooted problems that haven’t even been touched upon since the new Exco was voted in in July last year.
As for 4man stating that the problem lies with Ellis Park, I have to disagree totally.
IMO the whole precinct is now just about the best venue in the country, and far easier to get into than Kings Park was when I went to the Australia 3N test last year. Lots of space, and a 5 storey car park.
I haven’t sat in the stands for a while so can’t comment on things like the toilets or the bars, which were always sore points for me, but then I’m not sure that any of SA’s major Rugby Satdia are up to world standards in those regards.
Watching Rugby at the Millenium Stadium and Murrayfield really opened my eyes to what facilities should be like. Having said that, if the fans choose to p1ss all over the floor then perhaps they don’t deserve modern, clean ablitions.
Enough rhetoric, time for some work.
Despite the problems in Doornfontein, ONCE A LION, ALWAYS A LION.
Well firstly there is no reason the Lions cannot surprise a lot of people, but the reality is that it will be unlikely.
So much of the Lions reminds me of WP rugby, denial.
Having been involved in WP rugby for a couple of years now in a capacity the normal supporter is not I can also highlight exactly why WP should be dominating rugby in South Africa, but from top management to the coach (or now DOR) there seems to be a continued case of denial amongst them.
I can also highlight extremely talented unkowns in the structures of WP rugby to substantiate my belief in the strengths of the union but the sad reality is those guys are not experienced at a level of Super rugby let alone Currie Cup rugby for most part. The fact that they can become really good players is never in question, but until they prove their worth on the pitch it is all just a belief.
The simple reality is the Lions lack quality international class and depth. They have very few established players that has been around the block and they are made up of mostly journeymen who cannot get a contract elsewhere or inexperienced players.
I rate Muir very highly as a coach but also question his total committment to the task at hand. Running a professional team is a full time job, 400 days of the year including Sundays, to juggle three very stressful and time consuming jobs I have to realistically question the Lions wisdom to appoint him.
If Dick walked into a Bulls setup which was established then maybe, but he is walking into a union in shambles given their recent history on the park and the losses of players and lack of depth.
Any team can make a turn around in fortunes, but it requires total committment and damn hard work so although I think the Lions are steering towards the right track, they are still making it damn difficult for themselves.
The Lions lack an identity and culture in my view, and for that you need strong structures (read management), strong coaching staff with total committment (I remain inconvinced about Muir’s committment), and a damn fine leader, in which Baywatch maybe the salt of the earth player that always gives you 150%, but he is no leader.
Technically I see very little in the 6 major combinations in the team to get me excited. There is a splatter of some really solid and sometimes exciting players, but all of which I can count on one hand, the rest is decidedly average.
I expect the Lions to fall apart on tour and not recover from there.
Sorry forgot it’s a new year. I went to the Aus test at the Guppie Tank in 2008. (Old age and senility!)
Snoek
The Pomms wil have lots to write in paper about that ball incident
Broad knew exactly what he was doing, let us see if untouchables can be touched
Morne @ 77
I tend to agree with you, their tour is not an easy one, and if it start badly there is every chance they’ll never recover.
Here’s the statement of a real gentleman and sportsman. Mohammad Yousuf, captain of Pakistan, in post match intervew, and when asked what stood out for him in the match. He replied: ‘Peter Siddle’s batting efforts in supporting Mike Hussey in getting 134 not out was truly inspiring’.
Test match cricket still rates, IMHO. Next match is in Hobart in a few days time.
Morne
My sentiments exactly. The Lions are far from the complete product, Dick Muir isn’t Heynecke Meyer and I doubt whether he will be able to establish the needed structures within the union, because it is a full-time job. The Lions may improve, but unless the improvement is felt throughout the union, the will implode spectacularly.
Lions supporters may feel that I was out to get them with the article, but it’s just not true. Claiming the article is bereft of facts is also untrue, I have done quite a bit of research to write it. Yes, I add some humour to the whole shebang, but IMO rugby is a game of entertainment, and if I just gave the facts without any biting, who would read it?
Next week is the Sharks, thereafter my Stormers and then the Bulls, trust me, I spare no-one, even the WPRU will shit bricks after I am done. Facts are facts.
Every article written on rugby is opinionated, if you read anything by JJ Harmse from Rapport, there is a Light Blue tinge to it, De Jongh Borchardt has his own spin, and I have mine. If you want dreary lists of figures I can give you that, but I don’t want to, I want to keep it interesting.
Good day Saint.
I find your assessment of both the Cheetahs and the Lions spot on.
I look forward to your take on the Sharks, Stormers and Bulls.
Good rugby sense is certainly not in short supply here at RT.
Saint,
Enjoyed both so far and reckon you are not far off.
81 – Old Griquas, Congrats on the test win today. Saw the last half hour. Really thought Paki would win but you can never ever count the Aussies out in cricket that is for sure. What a come back there. Hussey batted brilliant. Next test should be a cracker too.
Now for our boys, hoping they beat England at Newlands.
63 – Old Griquas, Jeepers that was a massive Shark 300kg? HUGE. Would never liked to have been swimming in that river that is for sure 😀
83@ Tight Head – Helloooooooooo…. you now have competition here on R-T for Front Row Stories… The Saint was one of you “front row dummies” himself… and a bloody good one.
But you are right, R-T abounds with rugby-knowledgeable guru’s… and that’s the way we like it!
John Galt and Den, you have both Registered and been APPROVED.
Complete your Profile by adding real NAME & SURNAME and start blogging!
I have exciteing news for all the Lions supporters. Have just read on news24 that former All Black flyhalf Carlos Spencer has joined the Lions in one of the biggest contracts ever in South African history.
You lucky buggers, what a fantastic player, wish the Sharks had got him. Saw him play for his Enlish club and he has really beefed up and for Carol and Tripples looking quite hot 🙂
Sorry then for mr Burton Francis, see you back at the Bulls soon.
a Thank you from from PdV you wont get, no assistance for his problems.
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