Yes, I’ve deliberately inverted the WP Logo, for disrespecting the Lions
WP coach John Dobson has named his team to take on the Lions in a friendly at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Friday. Kick-off is at 19:00.
One of 2 things must happen as a result of the Western Cape deciding not so send their Super Rugby side, but rather a WP “No-Namers Side” consisting of a mix of Vodacom Cup and Under 21 players, to face the Golden Lions. Either the Golden Lions must go on and man-shame WP for daring to disrespect the Lions so much and at the same time proving that the Lions are indeed still a team with Super Rugby quality. Alternatively, if the Lions do not manage to win against this mottley crew, they must lose and lose well, so that it is clear for all and sundry to see that the final demise of the Lions is imminent.
Alongside Stormers scrumhalf Nic Groom and hooker Scarra Ntubeni, Dobson has named a match-22 including 12 Under-21 players, as well as a handful of club and Vodacom Cup players.
“It’s an exciting WP team and a good opportunity for these talented young players to make a step up against a Lions outfit that is settled and playing some great attacking rugby.” said Dobson.
“The friendly is of great importance to us as we prepare for the domestic competitions, as it provides crucial game time out of competition phase and an opportunity for many of these players to put their hands up for inclusion in the squads for the domestic competitions later this year.”
Golden Lions coach, Johan Ackermann, has also announced his side for the match.
CJ van der Linde, Hendrik Roodt and Derick Minnie all return to the starting side, while Ruan Combrinck moves into the starting line-up at fullback.
Teams:
Lions: 15. Ruan Combrinck, 14. Deon van Rensburg, 13. Stokkies Hanekom, 12. Alwyn Hollenbach, 11. Anthony Volmink, 10. Marnitz Boshoff, 9. Michael Bondesio, 8. Warren Whiteley (captain), 7. Derick Minnie, 6. Jaco Kriel, 5. Hugo Kloppers, 4. Hendrik Roodt, 3. CJ van der Linde, 2. Robbie Coetzee, 1. JC Janse van Rensburg
Replacements: 16. Francois du Toit, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Gavin Annandale, 19. Willie Britz, 20. Ross Cronje, 21. Dylan des Fountain, 22. Lionel Cronje, 23. Kobus de Kock, 24. Julian Redelinghuys.
WP: 15. Dillyn Leyds, 14. Pat Howard, 13. Berton Klaasen, 12. Michael van der Spuy, 11. Devon Williams, 10. Tim Swiel, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Rayn Smid, 7. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6. Joshua Katzen, 5. Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4. Taz Fuzani, 3. Dylan Rogers, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Ashley Wells
Replacements: 16. Stephan Coetzee, 17. Allistair Vermaak, 18. Jean Kleyn, 19. Carel du Preez, 20. Ryan Olivier, 21. Godlin Masimla, 22. Kobus van Wyk.
29 @ Gena_ZA:
It is unavoidable that we WILL have opinion pieces (Articles) here on Rugby-Talk… this is what Rugby News and Blogging is about… opinion.
At least I managed to get you lot “ONDERSTEBO DISA’s” out of your holes on this one… hahaha
18 @ grootblousmile:
Well I haven’t got a SR team, so I guess that laughter is the best medicine.
@ Scrumdown:
Sure it doesn’t guarantee a perfect situation but it does broaden the potential participants in an international competition.
A union could theoretically fight their way from the B section into the A section and then into the Super Rugby competition (the way the Kings should have) over a few years.
We did that before with the relegation system when it was Super 12, with WP being a casualty.
At the moment we have certain Unions being awarded Super Rugby Franchises, and with the rest having to play junior partners in perpetuity. I think specifically of a Union like Griquas here, who are better than a second fiddle to the Cheetahs IMO.
I would also have no problem with a short term co-opting of a certain amount of players (a maximum per union) from non qualifying unions to strengthen the qualifying unions for the next year’s competition. That way you would get a likely-hood of Springbok level players who don’t play for a top 4 team staying here and getting match practice.
@ Gena_ZA:
Gena, the Samoan side that faced the Lions had over 200 international caps. Most of the team plays for top teams in Europe, so the argument that Samoa sent a sub standard side holds no water, as on paper, they were a decent side. What did affect the Samoans was the team getting here on time for some decent practice.
Samoa were ranked no 7 in the world before the Lions match. I would expect even the 2nd team of an international team ranked in the top 10 to provide some decent opposition. That they were absolutely thrashed must also say something about the quality of rugby that the Lions are playing at the moment.
All good ideas, lot of water needs to reach the shore before it will ever happen
SARU needs to stand up and deliver and take control
National contracts need to be handed out and they have the say over player management
We need to adopt the NZ approach to Super rugby, their teams are available to the media (including their “filer” players pulled form other unions) in November every year
We have ours scrapped together 2 weeks before the tournament start
Imagine if we have a real professional body and less politics and not just money making attitudes, how dominant we will be in world rugby
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