LIONS president Kevin de Klerk believes next week’s crunch meeting between the South African Rugby Union and franchise bosses would “draw a line in the sand” on the Super Rugby participation saga. In January the Port Elizabeth-based Southern Kings were guaranteed their place in the 2013 Super Rugby tournament by unanimous decision at a General Council meeting of SARU.
The Golden Lions Rugby Union was one of the 14 Unions that voted for the Southern Kings. But at the same meeting no solution was reached on a mechanism for the accommodation of the Southern Kings.
With Sanzar having all but ruled out solving that problem by extending South Africa’s representation to six franchises, it is still unclear who would drop out.
“There is still a long way to go on this but it has to happen quickly because the confusion is affecting our supporters and the Union in going about its business,” De Klerk said.
“I wouldn’t like to pre-empt anything but it will be an interesting meeting.”
De Klerk could not confirm if the franchises had an alternative solution to relegating the team that finishes fifth in the South African conference.
Yesterday Saru issued a statement that gave context to the increasing confusion: “The franchises requested that a decision on the mechanism of qualification was postponed to allow them time to make alternative proposals.
“The General Council meeting accepted the request. Jurie Roux, Saru chief executive, asked for it to be recorded that the delay in a decision was at the franchises’ request.”
The Lions are currently last on the SA standings after eight losses in nine matches.
But Lions vice-president and investor Altmann Allers, who has bought a 49.9% stake in the GLRU, expects Thursday’s meeting to be crucial.
“It has never been stipulated or agreed that the team coming last will be the franchise to be relegated,” Allers said.
“How do you make rules two-thirds of the way through the competition? It’s unacceptable.”
Allers did concede that the Lions could be forced into an uncomfortable corner if they finish last.
“If the Kings’ entry into Super Rugby is a done deal then the Lions will have to abide by the decision, but we want to be treated fairly if it is us to drop out,” Allers said.
Allers, speaking in his personal capacity, dismissed the idea of the Lions and Cheetahs combining to reform the Cats franchise, contradicting Lions coach John Mitchell, who said the only way either could win Super Rugby was to combine.
The Lions aren’t done just yet, but it is not a reassuring article too me. The writing is on the wall.
Sheeet we(Bulls) could have been in this position.
I would have liked it if the decision was made before the season started, that would have been fairer.
The Cheetahs though saw this coming and upped their game a lot this year.
Was the Lions caught napping?
Surely they must have known the S15 competition cant change.
Can anyone think of another way “an alternative solution to relegating the team that finishes fifth in the South African conference”
@ superBul:
I agree, they should never have been in this S15 tournament. Stange though, the results of the curry cup alone last year sparked remarkable hope of great progress for the new season. How wrong was that assumption. Just hate watching them lately. And I can’t believe the coach has nothing to do with this continuis streak of losses. They should replace him. Get someone to change the odds indefnitly.
When one looks at things in the cold light of day it becomes more and more clear that the Lions just aren’t up to standard.
Their performance against the Blues was pathetic. This was (I’m sure) one of the games they would have targeted for a much needed win, but they capitulated like lamb to the slaughter, with very little meaningfull fight at all.
The schoolboy errors that continue to ravage the Lions match day performances week after week are testament to the fact that the players seem incapable of improving.
I’ll hate to see them left out of the S15, but sometimes one needs to turn off the life support machines and do the right thing.
Arguements that the Kings are no better or worse are irrelevant IMO. What happens in the future cannot be seen today, but on historical evidence, the Lions will end in the bottom 3 again next year if they’re allowed to compete.
After less than 2 seasons in Super Rugby the Rebels have shown on more than 1 occasion what can be achieved with the right coaching and attitude. Something both ther Lions and Kings would do well to take note of.
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