The Lions have finalised their warm-up matches ahead of next year’s Super Rugby tournament, however there are rumours of demands and coaching demands by the Pumas, who form part of the Lions Super Rugby franchise.
These rumours want us to believe that the Pumas are insisting that their coach, Jimmy Stonehouse, has to be involved in coaching at the MTN Lions. With Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann’s coaching contract already extended and with him the designated figure to take the head coach role for the MTN Lions, this spat could easily turn ugly if the parties do not reach some compromise and consensus.
Of course all of this follows after the spat and court battles between the MTN Golden Lions and it’s 2 Super Rugby franchise partners, The Leopards and Steval Pumas – after some Super Rugby proceeds were not paid over to the two junior partners in the relationship.
As far as the warm-ups are concerned, the MTN Lions will get their friendly campaign under way on Friday 24 January 2014, when they take on the Leopards at Ellis Park. Both an ‘A’ and ‘B’ outfit will play in two trial games on the day.
They will then tackle the Kings – who they knocked out of the Super Rugby competition – in Port Elizabeth on 1 February 2014.
Their final warm-up game is against the Sharks at Ellis Park on 7 February 2014.
The MTN Lions start their Super Rugby campaign against the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on 15 February 2014.
Nice build up for the Lions.
Its not that Mr Stonehouse has to be involved, its the fact he has be co-head coach, which is unworkable. As much as I would like Mr Stonehouse to be involved, this is not the way for the Pumas to demand his involvement. Use him as a defence coach, strategist etc.
These games count for zip as we’ve seen in the past.
I find it VERY disturbing that the Lions are still in squabbles with their “franchise partners”.
Surely the Lions / GLRU are in no position to try to hold the moral high ground in this matter, but equally so the Pumas.
How can any of the franchise partners expect the bloody thing to work if they all just refuse to see reason and to work for the better good of Rugby in the francise area.
It makes me really flipping angry!
I have been asked to get back into Club Rugby by my “old club” who are holding their AGM on Saturday and have “invited” me to attend.
Flip the one voice keeps on saying get involved and help where you can, the other just says, “don’t be a moron, why do you want the stress when those above are just a bunch of prats out for self gratification and don’t give a hoot about the average club player?”
Maybe things are different away from the Lions / GLRU, (the club has moved to the Valke in line with the Provincial borders applicable to sporting areas,) but my gut tells me it’ll just be the same on a smaller scale, with more frustration due to an even more constrained budget.
FFS!
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