By any measure, 2010 has been a difficult year for the Lions. Who would rather forget the 13 straight losses in the S14. The Absa Currie Cup season started off with a 43 – 13 win against the Leopards, but this was followed by a losing streak of 4 games in the 1st round.
Except against WP, when we got annihilated, our first round performances showed improvement, but we could not keep it together for a full 80 minutes. One could probably put it down to a few factors, new game plan, untested combinations, and experience in vital positions, with confidence and self belief contributing to the losses.
Playing Elton Jantjies at flyhalf was always going to be a risk, 3 young loose forwards (Whitely, Bothma & Strauss) against the likes of Vermeulen, Myburgh and Louw was a gamble in itself…not to mention Taute in the last line of defence, who was still at school last year.
Martin Bezuidenhouts’ cap count is still in single figures, and Edgar Marutlullle who started showing his worth is the 2010 Varsity Cup competition, have between them, taken 6 tight heads this season, against 3 hookers who have worn the Bok jersey, so our 2 young ‘bullets’ have certainly come to the party.
In Durban this year, I initially felt sorry seeing our Edgar in the front of the line out, dwarfed by Bismark du Plessis. It was minutes later when Edgar poached a ball off du Plessis in a Sharks scrum…we have 2 hookers who can mix it with the best.
Except for our scrum half centres, wings and props, there are youngsters in every position. This is quite a remarkable achievement when weighing up the recent
Results…and I challenge you to name a player who has not performed well.
A lot of credit must go to the coaching staff, who seemed to wave a magic wand. I was extremely concerned that not one of Mitchell, Ackerman or Spencer had sufficient knowledge of the present pool of players, and were going to find it difficult to find suitable replacements for incumbent players if need be. Boy was I wrong. Obviously the informants got it spot on.
Speaking to an insider on Saturday, Mitchell has brought a truck load of structures to the team. Every single player knows what to do, and when to do it. Our defensive system is rock solid, and it’s not often that any player misses a tackle, or that we get caught out wide as in the S14. The guys are effectively stopping drives around the phases and creating turnovers through offensive tackling.
The ability to turn defence into attack is unequaled in the competition. Long range tries have become a habit, and teams find it almost impossible to defend. Quick hands, identifying space and ball distribution is becoming a trademark of the team.
Credit must also go to Johan Ackerman and Carlos Spencer. The forwards are not only competing well in every aspect of the game, but also displaying great skills. The props and locks are running and tackling like demons. On the whole, the Lions have improved beyond recognition, and deserve all the credit they are getting.
It was in the 80’s, when the Lions were almost unbeatable. The team then had about 18 Boks in their squad, and was probably the best in the Unions long history. The current team does not nearly have the quality and depth as the one Francois Pienaars’ did, but there are definitely glimmers similar qualities to those of their forefathers…the transformation in attitude is the most obvious.
This year we find ourselves in 4th spot, admittedly with a few tough fixtures waiting, the Lions could sneak into the play offs again.
If I would have it a guess, the masses of rugby supporters form their opinions around what the press says, and over the years they have the power to influence the entire rugby fraternity. There is certainly power in the pen, or should I say keyboard?
Manie Reyneke has been CEO since 2007, and Kevin de Klerk was announced President in 2009.
If I have my facts correct, the Lions played in the 2007 Currie cup final, and in 2008 we played the Sharks in the Semis. In 2009 the Lions were unlucky not to be awarded a try by Joe Snyman against Griquas in the dying minutes of the game, which would have secured a semi final spot
My point is that when things are not going as well as they should be, the union management gets all the blame, but when the team performs, no credit is given. Reyneke and Co have endured a lot of flack. Not appointing the correct coaching staff, being criticized for not purchasing the players we need…and so the list goes on, this despite playing in a final and a semi.
I realize that out 2010 S14 record is 2nd to none for leaving a bad taste in the mouth, something I don’t think anybody can explain. A few questions I ask re the S14 team and Mangement:
Does the CEO or President select the teams?
Do they miss tackles, knock the ball?
Is it their fault if the team concedes penalties…?
Now that the sun has shown signs of rising over the union, a great coaching staff, no complaints re the team selection, and positive results, why then is no credit given to the likes of Kevin de Klerk, Manie Reyneke and their team.
I’m by no means saying that we will be the 2010 Currie Cup Champions by the end of 2010, but I’m not the only one feeling more positive about our team and Union. I cannot remember when last I have heard chants of “LIONS LIONS” bellowing out the stands at the park as it has during the last few games.
We can only hope that our young guns can retain their form, and keep the headlines focused on our team and not the boardroom.
As there are times that the Union deserves negative criticism, there is a time to say well done. |
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Bulls - die Blou bull
WP - Province
Please feel free to contact me on my email @ geoswart
Geo
Hi there
My name is Jessica and i am currently working on a project which aims to identify what makes the Lions Rugby team different to any other team.
I can see you are a fanatical Lions fan and if you could just share with me why you support them and what you believe makes them different that would be really awesome.
I am trying to establish why people support the Lions and why they remain loyal despite their performance.
Do The Lions have any mottos/songs which encapsulate their spirit?
You're help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jess
I gotta say that it feels so good being a Lions Supporter. Our die-hard fans have stuck through the difficult Super 14, but its great to see our team on the rise again.
Up the Lions !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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