The Lions have finally announced their proposed fixtures to be played in lieu of Super Rugby participation in 2013.
The fixtures include matches from the “Lions Challenge”, as well as some friendlies against Super Rugby opposition as well as a number of international, American and European club sides.
The full media release from the Lions follows:
2013 MTN Golden Lions Fixture Schedule
The Golden Lions Rugby Union are pleased to announce the highly anticipated 2013 MTN Golden Lions fixture schedule.
The 2013 schedule includes fixtures from our new tournament, the Lions Challenge, and local matches in the Super Rugby promotion/relegation series. Currie Cup fixtures will be confirmed at a later date.
More information regarding ticketing, the overall tournament and opposition sides will be revealed in weeks to come. An official tournament launch will also take place.
Please find the fixture sheet below:
As far as I can remember from a talk by KDK, is that the Lions loan players are available only for the league portion of the season. The Lions have the right to call the loan players back for the promo relegation games.
30 @ grootblousmile: I was mostly just thinking of who would lose out being in the semi without their Loan Lion Players.
Look I was speaking realistically there. I expect one of the big saffa 3 to make a semi. Remember this year we had two in a semi. We all have Lion Loan Players in our sides. Then we are without the loan players for that game. As far as I did read earlier this year was that all the Loan Players from the Lions will have to play in that Promotion Relegation game. So don’t count on those players for the semi and final if any of the big 3 make it that far. Then who knows the Kings could just surprise us and not be bottom of our conference. That could happen, but for now doubt it.
Mapoe is a very good outside centre as he proved playing for the Lions. Though for now Bulls don’t play that style of rugby. Have to see how he goes there. Stormers will be most affected at they have Elton who will probably be their first choice flyhalf and Taute their Fullback. Will Taute be there first choice FB? Not sure Joe played really well there for them in the CC final and Aplon has been good there as well. Though think they will use Joe and Taute at FB with Aplon mostly used on the wing. Think so, no sure. Sharks have Van der Merwe who I think will play a big roll in our team. Just have to see how it goes.
30 @ grootblousmile:
Pollard is very good, will he be used in Super Rugby? Think he only finshed school this year. Or will he play CC first? You have Morne still and Fouche.
Bulls do have good centres actually Bulls have a good team gbs. It is if they adapt to the off-loading game. That is how most teams are playing now.
32 @ Puma:
Man, it’s not a train smash… rotation of players will happen right throughout the duration of the Competition, so one week these 2 players will be out, the next maybe another 1 or 3.. and so forth.
So player depth will have to step in, in a case where Lions loan players might head back to the Lions…
Naturally it’s not the ideal situation, just like many things in SA Rugby in general is not ideal at present, but heck we live with it and we manage OK, don’t we.
You’re making a mountain out of a mole heap here if you ask me.
One is dealt the cards… and one plays with those cards… that is the hand you have!
What is MORE IMPORTANT is that those bloody Promotion / Relegation matched do indeed take place and that the Lions are not shafted again when the time comes and SARU does not retract on those Promotion / Relegation games. I have very little confidence in SARU doing the right thing in this regard at the opportune time.
33 @ Puma:
Yip, young Pollard is very young… but like Naas used to say, if you are good enough, you are old enough.
Johan Goosen was also only just out of school in 2012… and hell he played Super Rugby AND Springbok in 2012.
I would give Pollard Super Rugby bench time and possibly let him come on for longer spells against the likes of the Southern Kings, possibly the Farce and Rubbles too. Louis Fouché is kicking mule and offers nothing more… boggerol!
34 @ grootblousmile:
I know it is not a train smash, not with the Sharks even if Van der Merwe proves to be huge with us, we have depth. Thinking about Stormers they are gonna make Elton their first choice fh. That is a huge player to lose for a semi boeta. Grant was just poor for their semi against the Sharks. They should never have allowed the Greek (forgot his name) to leave.
36 @ Puma:
Demetri Catrakilis
35 @ grootblousmile:
Agree if you good enough you old enough. Lambie was only 19 playing for Sharks in 2010 Super Rugby. So was Frans Steyn. Frans Steyn and Lambie both played in a world cup at the age of 20. Then some have HUGE bmt and some crumble under pressure. Fransie, Lambie and O’Conner all have bmt. I think Pollard is the same, think he is cool under pressure, he proved that in the U20 jwc this year. From what I have seen he is better than both Morne and Fouche.
37 @ grootblousmile:
Thanks. Stormers/WP should have tired to keep him. If they had him and Elton, no problems for them. They now have Grant and Elton. Grant for me is solid and that is it. Does not bring what Elton will, so Elton will be a loss for Stormers at fh if they make a semi and final for that matter as those are the dates set for the P/R games.
I doubt Lions will get shafted there boet. Just look how they have gone about getting games for their players next year? They want to be in Super Rugby next year, they won’t take nonsense that they can’t play in a R/P game. It is in writing that will happen. Anyhow Kings should have being doing that Lions are going to do for their players next year with all the games they have organised last year already.
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