March 12 - This was not the step up the Auto and General Lions’ head coach Dick Muir requires in every match as his side was beaten 73-12 by the Waratahs in their Super 14 encounter in Sydney on Friday. The home side scored 11 tries to two after leading 33-5 at the break.
It was by far the Lions’ worst performance of the season after they had been competitive in all four their previous matches.
They actually dominated in the second half of the Stormers game, the first of their Super 14 campaign; they were the best team in the first half of the Chiefs match; and they were arguably unlucky not to beat the Hurricanes, with a good performance against the Brumbies last weekend also providing promise for a first win this weekend.
But it was not to be.
It is the second time this year that the Lions have conceded 70 points - but this performance was not nearly in the same league as the one lost 72-65 to the Chiefs at Coca-Cola Park in their second match. Then the Lions conceded but also scored nine tries.
The Lions defence on Friday was poor; their handling and options were not much better; they were out-scrummed; turned over too much possession; lost a number of their lineouts and generally looked lost on the field.
And while Friday’s performance is about as bad as it can get, there is the solace that even the greatest teams have matches such as these.
Coach Dick Muir will undoubtedly stress the previous performances as he tries to get the team on track again with the redoubtable Crusaders waiting in Christchurch next weekend.
On Friday the Waratahs set up a series of Super Rugby records for their franchise: - Drew Mitchell scored four tries - the most in a game by a Waratahs player - Berrick Barnes kicked nine conversions - the most by a Waratahs player - The 73 points the 'Tahs scored are the most points by the Waratahs
Meanwhile Lions president Kevin de Klerk yesterday said that he would be flying out to join the team in Christchurch to provide some moral support.
“I want to emphasise that is the only reason for my joining them,” he said, dismissing suggestions that this was a mission that anybody would be fired or axed.
"I am going to give my support to the team, and will see how I can help when I get there,” he said on Friday. Scorers: Waratahs: Tries - Drew Mitchell (4), Lachlan Turner (2), Josh Holmes (2), Dean Mumm, Tom Carter, Wycliff Palu. Conversions - Berrick Barnes (9). Auto & General Lions: Tries - Tonderai Chavhanga, JC Janse van Rensburg. Conversion - Burton Francis.
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