Over the last couple of weeks we’ve had numerous discussions about what the Lions’ expectations should be for 2010. Expecting a semi-final or final in the Super 14 is great, and you can’t be blamed for a lack of optimism, but is it realistic?
We need to realise that the Super 14 has some seriously talented players split between 14 sides.
It’s about having the talent, experience, continuity, a fair share of luck and having a mental edge over the other sides that separates the pretenders from the champions. Being the best on paper does not guarantee you a semi.
Looking at the NZ sides, they have serious contenders and sides that have been playing together for a couple seasons now, and will definitely challenge for the top four. Same with some of the Australian sides.
Realistically, we must admit the Bulls and Stormers seem to be the pre-season favourites to carry the SA flag, but that’s just it. It’s pre-season. I have no doubt whatsoever that the Bulls will be there at the end. However, the Stormers have this habit of lifting the Super 14 trophy before the first kick-off. And by April, all the pre-season hype has disappeared and the excuses come rolling in.
But I just have this feeling that they might actually do something this season. They have a descent draw, and the experience of Fourie and Habana will definitely benefit the side. But the loss of Watson and Jean de Villiers, is an equaliser. Watson was their player of the season last year, and was brilliant for them – irrelevant if you like the guy or not. He played good rugby.
The Sharks seem to be in trouble, no matter how you look at it. If they continue with Smit at tight-head, they’ll struggle to make the top half with their backline available. The Cheetahs might just surprise a couple of sides, but with the same management staff, I can’t see a vast improvement from them.
Coming back to the Lions, we need to be realistic about the upcoming Super 14. It’s a tough competition, we only have 6 games at Coke park, and a bad draw overseas. We cross the Tasmin twice in 5 weeks.
Most teams are settled and ready to go. Muir hasn’t had enough time to settle on his first choice side as he has only been with us from early December.
What I would like to see is a gradual improvement, week by week. Competitive rugby, and when we lose, lose by less than 7. To compete for a semi-final spot, a team needs about 40 log points. And with our draw, to me, it seems a bit tough.
Realistically, I want a finish around 8th, and we need to end third of the SA sides. But the most important is improved rugby, quality skills, and exciting rugby that we can build on heading into the Currie Cup. Muir is spot on in saying we need to improve game by game.
We can’t expect miracles, and we can’t expect the side to turn the last 4 seasons around in less than 4 months. But we are entitled to expect a better side in the Super 14. A Side that can build on performances week by week, and then target a semi in 2011 and as Muir indicated, go for the title in 2012. It’s not a three year plan, it’s a game by game plan. Play on the Saturday, and start all over on the following Monday.
This is exactly how the Bulls got to be where they are today, and that is a blueprint that we would be foolish not to follow.
puma @ 29
nei, lekke bru
hoe hang hulle aan jou kant?
After a few years of married life, a man finds that he is unable to perform. He goes to his doctor, and his doctor tries a few things but nothing works. Finally the doctor says to him: “This is all in your mind” and refers him to a psychiatrist.
After a few visits, the shrink confesses: “I am at a loss as to how you could possibly be cured.” Finally the psychiatrist refers him to a witch doctor.
The witch doctor says: “I can cure this.” He throws some powder on a flame, and there is a flash with billowing blue smoke. The witch doctor says: “This is powerful healing, but you can only use it once a year!
All you have to do is say ‘1-2-3’ and it shall rise for as long as you wish!”
The guy then asks the witch doctor: “What happens when it’s over?” The witch doctor says: “All you or your partner has to say is ‘1234’ and it will go down. But be warned; it will not work again for a year!”
The guy goes home and that night he is ready to surprise his wife with the good news. So, he is lying in bed with her and says: “1-2-3” and suddenly he gets an erection.
His wife turns over and says: “What did you say ‘1-2-3’ for?”
31 – Well Ash,
Your team looking good so far for the start of the S14.
Cheers Ash, Out of here for now.
Very quite here the past few days. Maybe everyone waiting for the S14 to start.
puma @ 33
waaaaaaaaaaaay to early for that kind of predictions …. must say i do like the attitude of the coaching staff though!!
puma @ 34
cheers puma
Question: Why is a laundromat a really bad place to pick up women?
Answer: Because a woman who can’t even afford a washing machine will never be able to support you.
Question: Why do men fart more than women?
Answer: Because women won’t shut up long enough to build up pressure.
Question: What do you call a woman with two brain cells?
Answer: Pregnant.
Question: What food reduces a woman’s sex drive by at least 90 percent?
Answer: Wedding cake.
and i’ll be out on this one
….
Question: How do you know when a woman is about to say something smart?
Answer: When she starts her sentence with, “A man once told me…”
cheers everyone
enjoy the rest of your evening!!
Ashley en Puma is verveeld
Speaking of not settling on a team. Can we, the public, please fine the Stormers a hefty amount.
On their website it says that the squad for this years S14 will be announced in Jan. 2010. Still no team…
Whats up with that…
It seems like the empty promises has already started to kick in.
GG , i dont know why all SA teams have this Rassie sickness , the NZ teams announced their 28 man squads about 2 weeks back, i think the 2 is the surprise packages.
See no one online. Very quite here these days. Back later.
Puma dit is seker die stilte voor die storm.
47 superBul – Is that translated “The Lull before the Storm”?
46 – Puma, will catch up when things are a bit quieter….Away all weekend so will miss all the rugby and will read on here what has been going on when I get back on Sunday night.
47 – Super, Yes it could be for sure. Next week the S14 starts and expect a whole lot of banter and debates to start from then.
48 – Evening Carol.
Okay see I am online on my own again. Will catch up tomorrow durning the cricket 20/20
Cheers all. GBS where are you these days boeta?
49 – Carol, Catch up with you then after Sunday. The Six Nations starts this weekend. So we have some good rugby to watch. Then the S14 the next week. So pleased the rugby season is back.
Cheers Carol.
I see that JaKe White rates that the Stormers, Bulls and Sharks will all beable to make the top 5 teams.
Listen guys, if you look at only the SA teams, I would say that It would be the Bulls, Stormers, Sharks, Cheetahs and Lions. In that order.
But now we have 9 other teams to consider. If only those teams would be 3 from Japan, 3 from Argentina and 3 from Tonga. How would you guys rate the NZ and Aus teams…
Based on squads and performances in recent seasons, I would say from NZ:
Crusaders, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Blues, Highlander
Aus:
Brumbies, Waratahs, Forces, Reds
Consider this. If we want to start making predictions on where on the table our teams will end up (Lions top 10 ect.) we have to start considering the opposition. Maybe we all do but very subconsciously. How about a thread where we look at the opposition Saint?
ECHO!!!
ECHO!!
ECHO!
ECHO
GG i check the NZ and AUS sides websites out regularly, they say the same things . Just like the Lions they all have high hopes.
The fact is the Bulls build up a formidable team over the years. Winning the 2007 Title was the culmination of 3 years in the playoffs. 2008 was a shocker , but it was clear that the shock of HM departure and the late appointment of FL all affected our start to the 2008 season. 2009 was our 5th year as a “high tree”, the good thing we have is a very experienced team and a few acquisitions to strengthen us even more. The Bulls will be there if they dont lose focus.
The Sharks have only them-self to blame. They have a good team. Stormers will have to break out, they always had a good team. Can they , no one knows, it is all guesswork.
I can have a look at the opposition Ash, however, there is such a great amount of unknowns in the NZ teams, I am sticking my neck out and saying the NZ team, albeit they might be good, will not be as dominant as in previous years…I have a good feeling about the Highlanders though…
I will post a thread next week in which I will compare all 14 teams’ strengths and weaknesses, as well as key players, maybe that will be helpful?
Funny enough Saint, I will have to agree with you.
Crusaders will be good, but the Chiefs must still be hurting from what was ultimately a humiliating final. Yet they didn’t lose many players in the off-season. If they can fire like they did last year, they will be a danger. But will they? The Blues are kinda on the down, I think. The Hurricanes are gonna be potent though. They have current All Blacks all over the park. Hore, Afoa, Smith, Solia’o, Nanu. Last year they were desparately unlucky not to make it. In fact, I change my earlier prediction. Cru, Hur, Chiefs…
The Highlanders started last year very well and caused a few upsets. They only fell flat cause they don’t have any depth.
Either way you look at it though, the NZ days of power-housing is over. For now.
Sorry, Afoa is with the Blues. I mean Tialata
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