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…

204 Responses to The Lions…a retrospective.

  • 121

    GrootPienk 112,

    Us Sharks have a whole arsenal of excuses for the season thus far, the Lions should borrow some of ours, they might get somewhere. 😆

  • 122

    😆 FS and good day ole chap

  • 123

    rudi ons starkies glo in die”water down the ducks back theory” 😆

  • 124

    Sharky Boyeeeeeeeee,

    Howzit brewsky? Lekker to see everyone having a go at each other (except the Nulle), we’ll get them yet though.

  • 125

    Loosehead and Saint,

    How does that song go again “Chuck me in the shallow water, before it gets too deep!”

    Loosehead, maybe I am a little “deep” today, because I do miss the Lions guys that I refered to before. But like any good pool, this site should have a deep and shallow end so that we can splash around in the shallows or dive and delve a little deeper when it suits us. What’s more, a deeper and established relationship allows us to take the piss out of each other. You Loosehead, can say anything about the Stormers and I’ll take it on the chin – no problem; probably laugh with you.

    Without belabouring the point, let’s just be a little more careful and establish a relationship before we start taking the piss.

    Ons lees tot sover….

  • 126

    and also in. stucks and stones may break my bones but works words of monkeys will never harm me 😆

  • 127

    121@ Vuurtjie – Even your Tjarkie excuses are wearing thin now man….. ruk julleself flokken reg!

  • 128

    you mean “dubbel NUL blou bul trul ” 😆

  • 129

    if ya say so fender bender 😆

  • 130

    125@ Kitaarknapie – Have you ever picked up an Anti-Stormers sentiment in general here on R-T?

    Or are we generally banter-friendly for all Franchises here?

  • 131

    GrootPienk,

    We’ve got enough excuses to make even the most staunch Nulle supporters feel sorry for us. 😆

  • 132

    131@ Vuurtjie – Flok, your team must be like having a brother in jail, you love the bugger, you’re just too shy to speak about him.

  • 133

    #129 Ja Sharky, ja…. 😉

  • 134

    Rudi you know the answer to that full well, some people are just to sensitive,
    hell we have all had to bite the bullet when our teams are down

    thats what blogging is about , the banter,

  • 135

    lol fender hiyas mate

    eish rudi and my teams down a lot lately 😥

  • 136

    #125 Kleinblousmaailtjie

    Of course, I have – and I would expect no less!

  • 137

    GrootPienk 132,

    Naah, it’s more like having a fallen hero for a brother….always a million reasons why it is someone else’s fault.

  • 138

    136@ Kitaarknapie – Being such a deep philosopher and sensitive fella, I thought you might be offended by the banter.

  • 139

    137@ Vuurtjie – Julle Tjarkies is net te flokken dom en dikvellig om te weet ons like julle eintlik flokkol…. hehehehe

  • 140

    blounullietjie jy wiet jy praat nou mos egte strond 😆

  • 141

    AND THAT LADIES AND GENTLEMAN , OH AND RUDI 😆 was my 1500th posting

  • 142

    rudi when you comming over for a beer and a large pizza?? 😀

  • 143

    I think we’re overdue a good old “Fight Club” thread…

  • 144

    fo sho we are 😆

  • 145

    GrootPienk 139,

    Gelukkig meer dikvellig as daai arme Lions supporters, nog ‘n tip wat hule by ons arrogante Sharks supporters kan vat, blame die losses op alles om jou behalwe jou span (tensy dit Jannie is). 😆

    Ons is so goed daarmee dat ons dit reg gekry het om te sorg dat ‘n ref ‘n rooi kaart kry, nog niemand anders kon dit reg kry nie. Almal kan maar daar iets by ons Sharks supporters leer. 😆

  • 146

    #145 😆 fires very true

  • 147

    142@ Tjarkie – As soon as your food improves….. hehehe

  • 148

    sharks supporters are the most light hearted of the lot 🙄

  • 149

    Oi, ek het die top 30 gemaak….yahooooo

  • 150

    lol

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