It is easy to call for the head of Lions fly-half Carlos Spencer, but the question is who will replace him.
The poor form of the 34-year-old since he joined the Lions as a big-money signing is infuriating supporters.
In terms of the deal with the Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU), which appears not to have been thought through very well, Spencer will still be able to make a contribution as an assistant coach over the next year-and-a-half.
The immediate problem is that the Lions have five games left in which they have to regain lost pride in the Super 14.
It is clear that Spencer’s best days are behind him. But even though his continued selection does not make a great deal of sense as he is denying a South African the opportunity of playing at Super 14 level, it is not easy to find a replacement for him.
The experienced Herkie Kruger’s calming influence and hunger when he made an appearance in Saturday’s 26-41 defeat to the Reds was encouraging, but he has not been a match-winner at Super 14 level over several seasons.
And considering Earl Rose’s form this year, it would be a sin to pick him in the position.
The best option appears to be 23-year-old Burton Francis, but he is sidelined with a stomach muscle injury.
One can go to the Vodacom Cup side where Ruan Boshoff is playing, or look at youngsters such as Jaco Taute, Elton Jantjes and Garth April. However, the trio of youngsters are tomorrow’s stars and the Lions need someone who can command respect in their No 10 jersey straight away.
Lions coach Dick Muir can also go to the Pumas or Leopards and try one of Ricardo Croy or Clayton Durand, but the expectation is that he will pick from Spencer, Kruger, Francis and Rose for the rest of the Super 14.
Francis is one of few Lions acquisitions that have looked promising.
Wikus van Heerden looks like the best buy of 2010, but has only played one game.
Spencer was the big signing, but not the only reason that there are questions about the GLRU’s pre-season contracting.
Lock Jacques Lombard is moving around between the substitutes bench and the injured list, while Tonderai Chavhanga, JP Joubert and Jonathan Mokuena have dropped down to the Vodacom Cup team.
As daar een wedstryd is wat die Lions se afrigter, Dick Muir, sy oogtande voor sal gee om te wen, is dit Saterdag s’n in die leeukuil teen die Sharks.
Al het die Lions ’n miserabele Super14-rugbyseisoen, sal al die verloorpyn vir Muir verdwyn as hy net sy ou span kan omdop. Niemand besef dit beter as die Durbaniete nie.
Daarom kom hulle nie die naweek Goudstad toe met die idee dat dit net ’n geval is om ’n sege te kom haal teen die melkkoei van die reeks nie.
Muir sal alles in sy vermoë doen om hierdie wedstryd te wen. En al is dit dan die enigste een wat die Lions in die hele reeks wen, sal dit vir hul breier die moeite werd wees.
Al bly hy steeds in Durban en is hy een van die groot geeste van Natal en Sharks-rugby oor die laaste dekade of twee, is daar nie veel liefde tussen hom en die Sharks nie.
Daarvoor is glo te veel suur sous gestort tussen dié partye in sy tydperk daar as afrigter.
Die Sharks besef dus hulle moet geslyp wees vir ’n wraakaanval soos min van Muir en sy span.
In die Sharks-kamp is die batterye herlaai ná ’n week se rus en sal John Smit (kaptein) se span in die laaste maand van die reeks ’n paar stokke in speke wil druk.
’n Plek in die halfeindronde blyk buite hul bereik te wees, met 12 punte wat hulle reeds van die Stormers (in die vierde plek) skei.
Eerste prioriteit is ‘n stelskopper. Earl Rose is gebruik as stelskopper en was nie goed genoeg nie. Spencer is ook nie goed genoeg nie. Dit los slegs Herkie Kruger.
is it not amazing how some SA teams try to show teeth at other SA teams only??
and lay quiet like little pussies for the kiwi and aussie teams??????
the mindset of the lions and cheetahs when it comes to super 14 leaves a lot to be desired
Dick Muir is ‘n plonker…besig om die Leeus man-alleen op te donner.
dWeePer, Burton Francis is nie te bad nie……..
and Sharky I agree……if only they had shown their teeth through the duration of the comp.
The Saint……….die Leeus is al jaaaaaaaaaaaare terug opgedonner 🙂
saint i dont agree
problem with lions is they do not have stars in their team
wp went through the same , realised it and bought a huge amount of top players
it does not matter how good a coach you are , but without top quality players you will always struggle
its also why the sharks went off the rails earlier this year
a team loses stars like f steyn , barritt , butch , bj
no wonder they struggled , put those same players back in that sharks team right now and you would see a huge difference
What difference does it make who the Lions pick at 10 this week?
The tackling during the first 20 minutes on Saturday was PATHETIC.
I’ve seen better commitment from U13 girls teams! They could have had a 95% kicker, and would still have lost.
Tricky Dicky has many problems to sort out. At least during Sat’s interview on TV he didn’t have a grin on his face like a Cheshire Cat as he did when interviewed after the Chiefs game.
I wish he worked for me and I could give him a performance appraisal.
“King” Carlos needs to abdicate IMO.
8 – Sharky, if we had those centres and FH, have no doubt we would be in the top 4. That is where we are lacking. 10, 12 and 13. Sharks are very weak there.
Read that Lambie might start on Saturday so that is a bonus.
Puma 10,
I would go on to say that our problem at 12 and 13 is caused by 10.
I see that the Lions has appointed Ray Mordt as interim defence coach.
dWeeP,
A defense coach against the Sharks?!
Sharks not really known for running rugby, so I can’t see why they appointed him only now.
puma hiyas mate
hiyas fires
hiyas scrumdown
Puma i just been to busy to do an article , but yes lambie will be available as well as muller and daniel
adi and kanko are the 2 thats out for sometime
Lekker and you sharky.
I read on S24 that Daniel is struggling with a shoulder injury and unlikely to start. (not too sure how his concussion became a shoulder injury)
not sure either fires
thats the first i hear of it
The Lions do not only have posers at flyhalf… they are all bloody posers… pose for a photie here, for a photie there….
It’s easy, Herkie Kruger has had the best showing at flyhalf, even though he remains mediocre at best, choose him, he is still better than Andy Goode who will oppose him… and at least Herkie kicks well for posts!
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