I have been a Lions/Transvaal supporter for 40+ years, and in that period our captains have lifted the Currie Cup 5 times, yes only 5 times in more than 40 years.  In the history of more than a hundred years of Currie Cup rugby, we have only been champion 8 ½ times.

Our first win was in 1922, we then had to wait 17 years to lift the cup again.  After waiting another 11 years we were crowned champions in 1950, 1952, and had to then wait another 19 years winning sharing the title with the team from across the Jukskei.  A year later Gerald Bosch took us home in a final against Eastern Tvl to make us the 1972 champions.

Again it was a long wait – 21 years to become champions again in 1993.  Fortunately the 90’s were good to us and we lifted the cup in 93, 94 and 99.  Again the wait has been a long one – its 10 years without a cup in the team photo.  This is hardly a proud record.

With the inception of the Super 10 competition, we managed to emerge as champions in a well fought final against a star studded All Black infested Auckland side.  The same year Francois Pienaars’ men won all the competitions, and the same team formed the core of the 95 World Cup winning squad – even having first and second choice players in Kitch Christies side.

What has changed since the 90’s?  Why have we not featured in a single final since then and will it change?  Looking back at the S14 history, our record has also been pretty dismal, S10 winners in the first season and finalists in the second season, and semi here and there.  As of late we have been finishing in the lower end of the log.

One must be reminded that the initial years of the Super Rugby competitions, it was structured so that we played all our games at home (I stand to be corrected), and both our finals were at the Park.  It was also the Louis Luyt era, when contracts were not a part of the game.

If Luyt needed a player, or even a coach, he would simply make an offer the player could not refuse, and the end result was that we fielded an awesome team with a number of Boks warming the bench.

The format of the competition has also undergone significant changes and the luck of the draw also favours certain teams more than others.   An example is that the Lions have 5 games in Australasia in 2010, crossing the Tasman Sea twice in this period, whereas away teams have less time away from home.  We also play the Bulls and Cheetahs away.

Comparing our probable squad to previous champion teams, it could once again be a long and hard Season for the Lions.  The Bulls, who were the 2009 Champions, had a team littered with Boks, most of them being Pieter de Villiers’ first choice, with some of them rated the best in the world. They have Bok props, locks, loose forwards, half backs, centres, wings and even the current full back.
I can recall a Lions players meet and greet at the Southgate shopping centre last year, this was just before the Currie Cup season.  I was astounded when there were so many unfamiliar faces in the squad, a coach who I hadn’t heard much of and a new team manager.  I was shocked, and on the way home I mentioned to my son that I thought 2009 was going to be a tough one.

As it turned out, 2009 was a toughie, not because of the squad of players we had but the changes in the Union weren’t without pain.  Despite the turmoil we gave the Bulls a good run at Loftus, beat them at home, rattled the sharks in Durban and gave WP a blood nose at the Park.  Most of the games we did loose were with 7 points or less, and with a bit of luck, we could have come much closer to a semi.

Hats off to the team, coach and management, who started the season with nothing and a bunch of nobody’s.  Who would have put money on the Lions to beat the Bulls and WP, and almost upsetting the Sharks.  The results weren’t always great, but between the B&I Lions and the win against WP, there was a definite improvement.

Let’s look at 2010, not forgetting our history. Again a season starts with us having no idea of what it holds for us, but as with the beginning of every other season, the supporters are filled with optimism and hope.

I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about the new season, and although I also have expectations, I’ve tried to keep them realistic.  There are contributing factors which could have an influence on the success of the team.

A new coaching staff that haven’t had much exposure to the union or team, limited S14 experience in the team, untested combinations, loosing 3 star players and the competition draw, are all factors which could contribute to yet another disastrous season.

Although there are quite a few factors that certainly count against us, there are more positives which will surely show improvement from recent seasons.  Let’s have a look at some of them.  I will list a few…

• The Jake White audit has ensured better and fresh structures within the Union, which will filter down to the team.
• A new President who is a Heart and Soul Lion.
• We have more depth than I can care to remember.
• A solid front row.
• Good bunch of flankers, centers, more than one scrum half and pretty good wingers.  The competition within the squad should amount to players having to lift their game, and no more room for complacency.
• The conditioning of the squad has reached new heights, starting in the initial stages of the 2009 CC season.  Since the end of the season, the majority of emphasis has been the fitness & strength of the players.
• A new coaching staff, and retaining Hans Coetzee who came through 2009 with flying colours with all the changes happening.
• A Team Manger who is more than dedicated.
• The top sports psychologist in the country who has a world cup gold medal.
• A hand eye coordination development coach who also has a world cup winning medal.
• The likes of King Carlos Spencer in the fray.

I am quite sure that if I put my mind to it, I could add a number of points to the list of positives. The one point I did not mention in the list is our players.  In most positions, our starters are as good as any other player in the competition.  We have an excellent group of players who would do any team proud.  They have all shown that they can play.

The open question is whether we will have a successful 2010 Super 14 campaign.  Unfortunately it’s still way too early to say, and we will only know during the second half of the competition.  This is usually when the teams start sorting themselves out.

As mentioned earlier, the draw doesn’t favour us this year.  It cannot be used as an excuse, so let’s put this one behind us.  We have quite an inexperienced side, which also makes touring and the tough situations in games even tougher.  Again it’s something we need to get over quickly.

I cannot say that we will end our campaign as champions, or even make the play-offs.  What I will say is that we have fewer excuses not to end in the top half of the table and taking a few big scalps on the way.

This is the year the Lions must show improvement and end significantly higher than recent years.  The teams focus in the 2009 CC season was on the 2010 Super 14, so it’s time to stand up and be counted and become the force we deserve to be.

The planning has been done and physically the players are all in pristine condition.  All they need now is the belief in their own capabilities, cohesion in the team and to play to their potential. All the ingredients are ready, a few tweaks and we’re ready to turn up the heat.

I am quite sure that all of the Lions share my optimism and are looking forward to the season.  The expectations are high and we all want the Lions to do well.  There will be highs and lows, injuries, off days and dubious referee calls which will all impact on the team and the results.

The competition is tough, and all the teams play the game well.  On any given day any team can beat any other team in the competition.  Conditioning and skills will be on par with the best in the world, and all the teams are equally hungry for success.

Putting money on the Lions to win the 2010 competition would make the most hardened supporter think twice, however, I honestly believe that we will do significantly better than most previous seasons.

If the team does the basics well, defend as if their lives depend on it and play for 80 minutes in every game, we will do well.

I am sure that all of you will echo my sentiments in wishing the team well for the 2010 season, and there is no question that they will make us all proud.

Roar Lions Roar
Geo