Firstly let me say this, The Saint is no Saint, and everything I say must be taken with a little laugh and a lot of patience….
Enough is enough, the Lions have messed up my whole Superbru season…how the hell am I supposed to predict exactly what margin they are going to lose by next week? For the uninformed, this my way of joking….
Naïve…as defined by a dictionary:
1. Lacking worldly experience and understanding
2. Showing or characterized by a lack of sophistication and critical judgment
3. Stresses absence of complexity, artifice, pretentiousness, or dissimulation\
Naïve…as defined by the Saint:
1. Dick Muir
2. The Lions Rugby Team
3. Lions Rugby Management
Before anybody rubishes my rant, I have to say that I’m not Anti-Lions, I am a concerned South African Rugby Supporter, and it hurt to see what I saw today!
It is time to say what has to be said. Today, the Lions were a disgrace to South African Rugby, and I cannot see one good reason why they shouldn’t be replaced by the Southern Kings in the 2011 version of Super Rugby, should they continue to deliver this kind of performance.
I have been badgered non-stop by a multitude of Lions supporters because of my stance on the Lions, even on this blog, people have left this web site completely because of an inability to accept reality.
Let me make it clear, not all Lions supporters are guilty of this, but those who are guilty, you know exactly who you are.
“All Out Running Rugby”, Dick Muir’s apparent blueprint for the Lions going forward, has to be the single most, uneducated, moronic and undeniably stupid stance ever taken by a coach in regard to a struggling team that he has just taken over.
Every week we hear the PR bullshit that all Lion supporters so desperately want to believe.
“Nah, the spirit in the camp has never been better.” or “I feel that we have definitely made progress.” or “You just wait and see.”
How can a team’s spirit remain true if they are humiliated weekend after weekend? How can you call anything progress, if your team hasn’t even mastered the two basic fundamentals of Rugby…namely attack and defense? What are we waiting to see, Loffie had supporters wait for years, and now Muir is just continuing the trend?
Defense is a personal thing, it is a one on one exercise which can be made more effective by involving a structured team approach. In this regard both the coach and the players are equally to blame. There is no structure to the Lions team, it seems that the players have no idea what to do 70% of the time, in fact, I doubt if any of the current players can even communicate without drooling on themselves. There is no effort, no commitment, and worst of all, no pride in the way that they conduct their approach to the game.
Muir seems to be the worst possible thing to have happened to the Lions, he has no pendant for structure, he apparently believes running can solve all problems and the coaching team he has assembled is inadequate, inexperienced and not in a position to turn fortunes around. The mere fact that Johan Ackerman played rugby for 100 years, doesn’t mean that he knows anything about coaching.
The Lions tight-5, albeit somewhat inexperienced, is a solid enough entity, yet they are man-handled week in and week out. Grown men, playing like pansies, the WP light 5 at their worst wouldn’t have stood for it…
The backs run around aimlessly, desperately trying to run everything from anywhere, unfortunately, they are not talented enough to get away with that approach for any length of time.
The mere fact that Muir is involved with the Springboks makes me so worried I am beside myself.
Yes, the players are not all up to Super 14 standard, but the Reds were in exactly the same position when this season started, but they went on to prove that you CAN slay giants, you just have to cut down the beanstalk first.
If Muir is reading this….. Dick, I used an analogy, it means you have to start at the beginning, do the basics right, teach them to pass and to tackle, those are your main problems.
There is absolutely no excuse for being pathetic, I don’t mind if the Lions lose, as long as they seem unhappy about it, and then try to change things around. Which is currently not happening!
If the Lions don’t start making work of their deficiencies, I would have no objection to the Kings claiming their place in 2011. Because it would be much more enjoyable seeing Cheecky Watson trying to explain a 100-point losing margin, instead of Cobus Grobbelaar stuttering out another ill-conceived PR Excuse.
I certainly hope you have read this Article carefully and do not jump to the unnesessary conclusion that this was an attempt to belittle the once proud Lions Rugby Union or their often still proud supporters.
Morne i will be shocked. The WTR site tried to muster everyone to support blindly, all fair. Now they must not wait too long to take the Bulls by the horns and address the serious flaws in the selection by DM.
You just cant rotate it you dont have a settled team, DM should have stayed with his first pick , at least 2/3 games.
90
Morne tell me when did HM start coaching the Bulls.
I’m back….
Go read the Article again… carefully…. where is the problem, where is the truth distorted…. who does not find the Saint’s humour enlighting and fresh… where is there a basis for mis-interpretation or an unfair statement…..
Have we all become sissies who cannot take a harsh but true word?
2009 Highlanders 36 – 12 Bulls Palmerston North Lost by 24
2008 Bulls 47 – 17 Highlanders Pretoria Won by 30
2007 Highlanders 13 – 22 Bulls Dunedin Won by 9
2006 Bulls 23 – 16 Highlanders Pretoria Won by 7
2005 Highlanders 23 – 0 Bulls Dunedin Lost by 23
2004 Bulls 16 – 16 Highlanders Pretoria Drawn
2003 Highlanders 29 – 22 Bulls Rugby Park Stadium Lost by 7
2002 Bulls 17 – 54 Otago Pretoria Lost by 37
2001 Otago Highlanders 32 – 10 Northern Bulls Dunedin Lost by 22
2000 Northern Bulls 40 – 42 Otago Pretoria Lost by 2
1999 Otago 65 – 23 Northern Bulls Dunedin Lost by 42
1998 Northern Bulls 26 – 31 Otago Potchefstroom Lost by 5
1997 Otago 27 – 7 Blue Bulls Dunedin Lost by 20
1996 Northern Transvaal 59 – 29 Otago Pretoria Won by 30
94
it scares me that we like the Lion supporters think we must just arrive and collect the points. Like the Cheetahs last year the Highlanders have a appetite for the big fish. Hope we do not underestimate them.
94@ SuperBul – The Bulls have an aweful record against the Highlanders, truly terrible…. and a reminder of how close most Super 14 teams are actually bunched…
Let the Bulls never underestimate the Landers, they could have had an off-day against the Stormers last week!
Puma if you are still here , its first blood to croc in the IPL SBru, ,
GBS i hope this game is one of the games the Bulls want to rectify in the record books. We have a real poor history against them.
Super,
Heyneke was there in 2000 or 2001 already.
A little known fact…
In the dark years for the Bulls, Heyneke actually at one point appointed PDV as his assistant…
Morne i think HM was there then was replaced by Rudi Joubert and came back in 2003 or 04, in 05,06 he made it to the semis, and 07 won it.
If he came in 2004 like i have it i recall that dismal Super campaign in 2004, he was almost fired but came back immediately by winning the CC after he was hauled over the coals.
I will get the real dates and facts, because some people try and draw a comparison with HM,s career.
Hey, Superbul,
Sorry, but I just pipped you there with the cricket, but no doubt you’ll be chuffed to know that a member of your pool, and a fellow Hoedspruit resident, is tied for the number 1 position globally!!! Woohoo!!
Yes i just wanted to congrats you. Well picked. I actually dont have a clue who does what there , picked a lot of games when i joined. Mostly home team advantage picks.
Croc you live here?
Admittedly I share the no 1 spot with about 500 other people, but if the stupid chop had scored a single off the last ball, I’d have got it spot on.
In one of the smaller reserves near Thornybush
106
do you know me?
What a great article.. I felt embarrassed to be South African after that 73-12 molestation.. Surely they can put together something better than that. Unacceptable.
Bloody disgusting display Gbs.
The coaches of the Bulls since 2000:
2000: Heyneke Meyer for Super 12, Eugene van Wyk Currie Cup. Heyneke Meyer appointment was as an outsider of the franchise.
2001: Phil Pretorius for Super12. Heyneke Meyer was appointed as new Blue Bulls coach in place of Eugene van Wyk.
2002: Heyneke Meyer
2003: Rudi Joubert (appointed by SARU and not the franchise)
2004: Rudi Joubert (the Blue Bulls requested SARU for his discharge due to dissatisfaction by the players)
2005 to 2007 Heyneke Meyer
Heyneke Meyer has three contracts with the Blue Bulls Company
1st contract: 2001 to 2003. These three years was his building phase.
2nd contract: 2004 and 2005.
3rd contract 2005 to 2008. He resigned after 2 years.
2008 to 2010 Frans Ludeke
What was said in 2004-
I found this article while searching for HM,s stats. Funny how some things just stayed the same.
Brilliant! Bruce Springsteen, also known as �the Boss� had a hit single in the eighties called �Dancing in the Dark� and before you think of any analogy regarding �boss� and �dancing in the dark�, to current SA rugby politics – you are wrong. What the song so memorably refrained was, �you can�t start a fire without a spark� and in fear of putting every known curse on SA�s rugby teams � there is a spark igniting and it is a whole lot stronger than we have seen for the past few seasons!
The Cats lost again. The coach is winging, precious little is coming from the assistant coach Chester Williams� still the players cannot tackle and despite leading the possession stakes cannot score more tries than the opposition. Ashwin Willemse, to his credit continues to perform and that is the mark of a true Springbok, good performances in a team devoid of any form or luster.
The Sharks came they saw and the conquered at a crawl� yes, Davidson�s try should not have been but if this is not confirmation that rugby is the game played up there then nothing will as Durban shouts JUSTICE for the previous week. Young Brent�s try was a real gem but strange enough the fullback was struggling all night with his hands and to the commentator�s great surprise caught the ball and well, the rest was vintage Russell magic.
The Bulls, what an awe inspiring sight that maul was late in the second half? Some Brumbies will wake in a cold sweat for months to come with the bearded face of Geo boring down on them with seven other snorting, huffing and puffing Bulls. The turnaround this team has made from laughing stock to thoroughbred stock is amazing and whoever needs the credit, Heynecke Meyer, Rudi Joubert et al, gentlemen take a bow! The Bulls might want to give young Willem De Waal a go at no 10� the man has lots of talent and one of those rare commodities inherent in great sportsmen – time. As for this humble scribe’s player of the round, Fourie Du Preez � a classic scrumhalf display from the next Springbok halfback.
Finally, the �schizophrenic� Stormers as they were described by one of the journalists reporting on the match, recorded a very good victory against a very professional team. The Waratah�s impressed by their general demeanour, suavely attired suits and ties and their work ethic on the field. Had Matt Rogers played, one venture to say, his average of over 20 points per match would have decided the game in no uncertain terms. As these things go, he was not available and in this competition luck, bounce of the ball and referee�s decision play a crucial role. It was the men in blacks role of the dice.
Rugby Forum – Vol 4, Week 7
(The week that was, a South African perspective.)
20 Mar 2004
[SARF]
If 2004 is anything to go by then it is the stormers infact that will reach the semi’s.
112
The Stormers have a good team with brilliant game breakers, i feel that after years of building this is the finished product. You must reach a final, nothing less will be acceptable.
Morning Folks. I see that Kevin De Klerk is on his way to NZ to assis where he can with the Lions team. I trust that would include carrying a few tackle bags.
Loosehead , i really feel sorry for them. Look i saw this coming and was banned on WTR because i was to negative about Dick, but my word came true. The thing is you have a assistant Bok coach who worked with South Africa,s best 30 players in the Bok squad. It was easy to hide his flaws, the experience of the players was such, they could manage any situation on field.
We and there i include some of the most loyal , fanatic Lion supporters there, were critics of DM when he coached the Boks. All we knew and said earlier in this season came true.
Now Dick sits with very few Bok standard players and he is not building a team spirit either. 15 players working as well drilled machine can win you a few games, but giving everyone the right to run like hell from anywhere is plain dof. You can not blame Earl Rose even, he is doing what they coach preached.
So DM put your pride aside and build continuity , maybe you will get a win or 2, remember that Loffie had 4 last year.
suiperbul 😀
nie seker of ek saamstem nie
soos ek voorheen al gesê het …. lions was power vir ñ hele paar jaar. hulle is van afrigter tot afrigter in daai tyd en almal se rekords is so swak soos die een voor hom s’n.
neem ook in ag dat die lions ñ hele paar spelers aan ander provinsies verloor het, en dis duidelik hoekom ñ union wat alreeds gesukkel het, nou nog swakker voorkom!!
What? They banned you for telling what they all know? Fukken pathetic.
Defend Dick as much as you like, he has a poor record as a coach. Yes he did ok [only ok] at the Sharks, but anyone is better than Putt. The Boks backline has not been flash under his coaching.
How dof were the Lions choosing him over the very accomplished HM?
loosehead @ 117
do you perhaps have the stats? (dick’s record)
will it be possible for you to bring it here and compare it with other coaches at cc/s14 level at the same time he coached there?
Ashley ek se jou gaan kyk wat het die vorige coaches gedoen by die Leeus, ek voel dat Loffie net voor die beloofte land gekelder is. Gaan loer na laasjaar se logs by, http://www.lassen.co.nz/s14mat.php?year=2009&mround=14&teama=12#hrh
Kyk na driee vir en teen , meer nog kyk hoeveel is met klein margins verloor. Onthou een van die games was ook so kontroversieel gesteel deur n uiters swak ref beslissing. Ons het dae daaroor gekerm, amper erger as oor laasweek se penalty try.
Loffie moes net bly tot dat KdeK die plek skoongemaak het en hom sy ondersteuning begin gee het. Ek dink hulle is nou weer by die begin van n 3/4/5 jaar bou proses.
Loffie sou die jaar versekker aan verdediging aandag skenk. Dan sou dinge onmiddelik beter begin lyk het.
superbul @ 119
stem saam …. loffie het baie beter begin lyk …. IN JAAR VIER.
probleem 1 …. dick sit NIE met dieselfde squad nie, in fact lions het redelik paar goeie spelers aan ander unies afgestaan, so mens kan nie appels met appels daar vergelyk nie
probleem 2 … elke nuwe afrigter kom met sy eie idees ens ens ens en dit neem gewoonlik ñ tydjie vir enigeen by ñ nuwe unie om sy voete te vind. nee, dit is nie ñ verskoning daarvoor as jou span verkrag word nie!!
probleem 3 … kan mens rerig sê dat daar sisteme in plek is by die lions … dink bulls, stormers in ñ mindere mate ens ens
MAAR
ek stem met jou saam ….
lions moes loffie nooit laat gaan het nie,
en
betaal nou die prys van dom besluite geneem deur hul bestuur!!
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