I was fortunate enough to have been invited to the GLRU media launch for the Super 14 at the Lion park in Muldersdrift. The goal of the day was to give the media and press the opportunity to mingle with the players and coaching staff as well as the GLRU management.

The day kicked of with a stirring speech from President Kevin de Klerk, and was indicative of the passion he has for Lions rugby. Director of coaching, Dick Muir followed up with a speech about the reality and the huge challenges that await the Lions in the upcoming season, and that all are on board to achieve the goal of getting the Lions back to the top.

He was very realistic in the following press conference and admitted that there’s a tough road that lies ahead, with huge challenges, but every-one keen on rising to it.

“It’s an extremely exciting phase that we’re entering into, the challenges that lies ahead of us will be tough, and with a president that sets such high standards, makes it a nice place to be in, but we’re feeling the pressure.”

Muir kept on re-iterating that rebuilding the Lions is a process and it will take time, but there will most definitely be results this season.

When I asked him what reasonable expectations Lions supporters can have for the upcoming season, he once again admitted that it is huge challenge for all.

“It’s difficult to say, it’s a competition that we want to take game for game. We start of with the big one, the Stormers, and then the Chiefs who were finalists last year, and then we hit the road. If there can just be that improvement, I think we would have done well.”

We were joined by a big percentage of the squad and the feeling was electrifying, There’s a fantastic relationship between the players and the coaches, and one must say that this does indeed seem to be a very happy place to be in.

New Lion Carlos Spencer was questioned endlessly by most of the press, and it all came back to the same response and answer.

“I’m not here to perform miracles, I’m here to help the Lions achieve their goals and get back to winning on and off the field. ‘I’m just really excited to be here, and I know the team will do well this year, and I’ll be here to help them out.”

He also said that he’s happy to be back in Superrugby where the game is quicker, and that is the game that suits him better compared to the last couple of seasons he spent in the U.K.

All coaches and players seem to be on the same page, and all are highly excited and aware of the challenges that lie ahead for the Lions to get back to the top.

After today, I’m most definitely on the same page.