Rugby is a game that I, as well as, I am sure, multitudes of people from all around the world feel very strongly about. We will wait in anticipation for the season to kick off, moaning constantly about the lack of any “real” sport in the off season. During the games, we will sit, breathlessly waiting until the final whistle, whether the result is a foregone conclusion or not. We will passionately defend our team in any situation, blaming anything from the ref, the touch-judge, the other team’s supporters or even imaginary people “read 1995 World Cup’s Suzie” instead of admitting that our boys were in the wrong.
Then, keeping this in mind, you turn on the television in the hopes of seeing an ugly burnt duckling, rising from its ashes like a mythological Phoenix, who, even in defeat, keeps its proud head aloft, by giving as good as it gets, and then some. Assuring all of its supporters that it will not die, that it may in the end crawl from the battlefield, but not before severely crippling its adversary.
With all of the above in the back of your mind, you then witness the abomination that was the Lions vs. the Waratahs.
As a SAFFA supporter, I was sickened by the display. So complete was the destruction of the Lions Rugby team, that the only positive to take from the match was the fact that it was only 80 minutes long with no extra time added. To make things worse it was against the Aussies, the most hateful of opposition, which obviously had something to do with my mindset as I took my place before my computer.
Many of my fellow bloggers felt that the lashing I gave the Lions was uncalled for and out of place, and that Dick Muir cannot be blamed for the Lions failing, as he has only been in charge for 5 games, while the Lions were already losing long before that.
Let’s entertain that notion then, 5 games and as he was appointed 0n 17 October 2009, about 4 and a half months? Oh wait, no, he was with the Springboks for the year end tour, where he coached 22 up and coming week-day Boks into oblivion.
I keep on forgetting that the Lions Director of Rugby is also the Springbok assistant coach, but obviously all his attention is with the Lions, isn’t it? I mean it has to be, because the Lions didn’t want to appoint Heynecke Meyer, a man that is so firm in his creation of structures, that he made it possible, for Frans Ludeke, a man sacked by the Lions because he couldn’t win a game that’s been bought, to win a Super 14 title, 3 years after his initial departure.
Muir obviously had to bring something to the table then, something huge. My guess is, he told the GLRU management, that he wants to play running rugby, exciting, bring the crowds back to Coca-Cola Park, running rugby…so much better that the tedious kicking orientated, “winning” brand of rugby that Heynecke Meyer is renowned for.
The same style of rugby that initially killed off the Sharks, before the introduction of John Plumtree, a structure freak, albeit not really a people’s person, which was where Muir came in, the two complemented one another perfectly. Dick Muir showed when he was a provincial captain,that he could get people around him to perform far above their potential. Even now, the Lions are clearly motivated, they just seem uncertain about what they are motivated about.
So how will the Lions turn their fortunes around?
I don’t think it will be that difficult, as incredible as that sounds. Just a few minor adjustments.
Firstly, Cobus Grobbelaar needs to be relieved of his duties as captain immediately, ironically, the only times you ever hear of a captain courageous, is in a losing team, read Corne Krige, World Cup 2003 or Andre Vos, during his whole reign. Sometimes a captain needs to do more than just lead by example, and unfortunately for Cobus, albeit he is an excellent player, leading by example is all he has in his captaincy arsenal. Jano Vermaak, Tod Clever or even Pumas Captain Franklin needs to slot into this role. I especially like Franklin, luring him to the lions’ den permanently might not be that bad a call.
Secondly, for heaven’s sake, appoint a defense coach, the Crusaders and the Stormers, the two stingiest sides in the tournament, has one day a week set aside for ONLY defense training…surely someone should see the benefit in this? There are many defensive experts looking for a job, names coming to mind are Andre Snyman, Pieter Muller, Henry Honiball, all guys who were tasked with organizing the defense in their respective teams, I am sure they have a lot to share, just be humble enough to accept that help is needed.
Thirdly, keep Dick Muir as DOR, removed from the direct business of coaching, appoint Hans Coetzee as head coach, get rid of Johan Ackerman, he simply cannot cut the mustard, appoint Balie Swart over the forwards and appoint Carlos Spencer backline coach, get him out of the starting line-up and into coaching then alternate between Burton Francis and Herkie Kruger at flyhalve, this we call development, this makes the team grow, this should be the way forward.
Let’s not even discuss the fat cats at the top, who is mostly to blame for everything going wrong lower down, because it is something unlikely to change, meaning that the playing structure, the past of GLRU bringing in the money, just have to adapt as good as possible.
Finally, be prepared to play boring rugby at times, I can guarantee not ONE supporter will moan about this, as long as the team is winning. Tone down the adrenaline and fuse with some good sense, fire Earl Rose and stop feeling like the team needs him, it is simply not true.
Lions rugby is currently overflowing with young players, trying to break into the big time, use this energy, and apply it positively, albeit through well constructed structures. South Africa needs a strong Lions team, stop moaning about what I wrote earlier, read it again and accept the facts.
The cliché reads, that if the Stormers and the Bulls are both strong, so is the Springboks…imagine if we had 5 strong teams…
87, I will NOT defend a Tjarks player!
85@ Loskoppie – I did not play prop, so I do not battle to understand.
Tell me, as an outsider, what do you think about the human race?
92-the more I see of you humans and Stormers supporters, the happier I am being a Blikoor!
#92
Props might not be part of the human race, but only because we have evolved…
Props are probably the smartest players on a rugby field, we are just very humble about it.
FS @ 80
I’m sure it has been discussed at the highest level within the Union, but that consensus can’t be reached.
IMO what the Lions need is an audit, not of the Rugby only ala JW’s Winning Ways, but of the business as a whole.
I think it would be very interesting indeed.
#90
With VC I hope you meant Vodacom Cup…because you guys don’t have a Varsity Cup side…just an observation…
Gee Saint, can you be a prop and a Stormers supporter?
Loosehead, Tighthead and Hooker…provincially (Hooker only at Craven Week Level)
#96
I was only mentioning it, seeing as I wouldn’t want Jannie Dup anywhere near senior rugby…
94@ The Saint – Smart like Jannie Dup?
It’s like Robin Williams who described the Wallrus… in one of his stand-up comedy pieces… he said that the wallrus is a perfect example of evolution, but that the wallrus is’nt finished yet.
I take it that props are also not “Finished” evolving yet…. hehehehe
ThePaint 96,
Don’t think Jannie will cut it at varsity cup level, they drink powerade….no oranges for those guys. 😆
Saint, not the kind of hooker that Joost is / was involved with?
You guys know why The Saint is nicknamed The Saint?
GrootPienk,
Please share
That halo which The Saint supposedly carries is just the brown ring he sports from continiously pulling his neck out of his arse!
@ GBS off course healthy debate is why we are here. I don’t have the time to sit on the net and debate the state of the Lions. It’s going to be too time consuming. I need to prioritize at the moment. What we do now is the Lions got to turn this around. This is a good article and The Saint raises some good points, sorry if I don’t contribute too much regarding this subject.
@ The Saint, thanks for you answer. I have never taken a liking to authority myself, and therefore appreciate someone who is willing to ask the questions. I guess a lot depends on how you ask those questions.
good morning everyone
more rudi broer , lyk dinge in blou bul vallei??
107@ Tjarkie – Everything is fine… and your side?
Sharky, you ready for your first win this week?
Are there ANY Stormers supporters out there for me to insult?
#105
OK, thats it, I am leaving this blog….
No wait…GBS is a fine guy to be talking about arses…not so long ago he was one of the front singers in the Derick Hougaard // Liefling choir…
I hear he even had some signed underpants…
106@ Balle – The Articles here, and elsewhere, must be seen as indicative and a reflection of what is on people’s minds.
It is natural that we are asking questions about the trouble at the Lions and the Sharks.
If we just put the positive spin on things, then this would be mistaken for a purely Bulls and Stormers site, which it is’nt.
The Lions have some players who do not deserve what they get at the Lions, examples being Baywatch, Clever, Doppies and Walter (Karevaan) Venter. They have not let their Franchise down once, in terribly difficult circumstances. It is rather some repeat offenders who let the side down, same at the Sharks, go look…. the same brainless individuals!
Maybe we should be more scathing towards the Sharks, after all they cannot complain about a lack of big name players or a lack of depth (most positions)…. yet they are 0 from 5!!
#110
Nope, you’re a cheetah, I never pick on someone with a disability…
#112
I’m on it!
111@ The Saint – It is the other way round, Hougie and his tjomme all have signed GBS posters and stuff!
Hehehehe
Jealousy about the songs and GEES in Bloubulland will get you nowhere….
113: 🙂
Now I am insulted and will have to leave this blog to go back to work.
114@ Saint – Flok, just do not chase our Tjarks bloggers away, like YOU did with the Lions supporters!
Hahahaha
hiyas loosehead mate , yup always ready for a victory , I HOPE N PRAY 😆
lol gbs hy is te lig om ons weg te jaag , ons tjarkies vattie kakkie 😆
maar ek sien hy het a cheetah waggejaag hehehe
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