After eight weeks of Currie Cup action, we see the Lions leading at the top of the log, and not just with a point or two, they are clear by an entire bonus point win. The question on my mind is… can anyone catch them?
Looking at the fixtures for the remainder of the tournament, the answer is quite simple… No. The Lions have only two tricky away fixtures left, both of which they can easily win if they play anywhere like they have for the last few weeks. The Lions still have to travel to Bloemfontein and Durban, but we all know that they will still put up a fight and will more than likely win at least one of those games.
The other thing that has jumped at me is the way the Lions have been playing. Is it just me, or are they playing really attractive rugby, I mean, I do not mind sitting watching the Lions take on the Pumas, because I know I am going to see some enterprising stuff.
A team that has dominated the Currie Cup so far, and yet they have had as many injury worries and concerns as almost any other team, with a new centre pairing running out almost every week. They are missing key backline players like Doppies la Grange and Waylon Murray, and they started the season without the likes of Jaco Taute and Elton Jantjies, meaning that these players will still be reasonably fresh come the playoffs.
They have faired reasonably well without their back-up captain Josh Strauss as well, a player who has slowly been given game time off the bench over the last couple of games.
Looking forward to SupeRugby next season, this team is sure to perform much better as the young players have now had another season of playing together. I know this is still some way in the future, but I am excited about the prospect of watching this Lions team in action.
If the Sharks don’t take the Currie Cup this year, I really hope it goes to the Lions. Some great performances to date!
It is looking good !!!
i agree the real test will be in Super rugby ! but we do have the ability of going on and doing well !!!
Couldn’t agree more. One hundred percent effort and a good degree of skill makes for attractive, winning rugby. Welcome back, Lions, as a team to be reckoned with.
Yep, its so much better having another team play well, its all for the greater good.
Agree that the Lions are looking good but anyone of the Sharks, Cheetahs and Province can still beat them and Im sure Griquas feel that they can also do the deed.
@Zibbie (Comment 2) : On another thread you were saying that the opposition in this CC were B teams. Do you realistically think the Lions have the ability to do well in 2 divisions up from B team opposition?
@Salmonoid (Comment 6) :
lol go read my reply
an that what i keep on hearing from supporters of other teams ..
im sorry you got in the firing line
it wasent aimed specifically at you but more at the people who use that as an excuse why they are losing .
Elton is playing well , we have a few other players looking good , we get Butch and CJ for Super Rugby . Our defensive is much better than in the pass .
like i said no reason why we cant challenge and win a few teams next year
They only need to be stopped once. In the final. And it CAN be done.
Good to see John Mitchell’s “take no shit” policy working well.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 8) :
They haven’t been in a final for a while..
Will be interesting to see how they approach it..
Super rugby season 2012 will be same old same old for the Lions imo.
They will finish bottom of the SA conference and in the bottom 3 overall.
Nothing much has changed in Jo’burg.
Plenty has changed in Cape Tow, Durbs & Pretoria.
3 Teams missing numerous star players due to the World Cup & injuries.
When the cat is away the mice come out to play.
@McLovin (Comment 10) :
The Bulls don’t have that many returning players, and neither does the Stormers (in the centres only)..
I dunno hey.. Could be a different ball game if they can roll a few Aus and NZ teams..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 11) : Stormers players returning are:
Bekker
Elstadt
Schalk
Vermeulen
Jean
Fourie
Habana
Aplon
De Jongh
3 Flyhalves
That’s plenty.
@McLovin (Comment 12) :
Bekker, Elstadt, Vermeulen and your 20 other flyhalves are all injuries.. The Lions also have injuries…
@McLovin (Comment 12) :
So that leaves Schalk, Jean, Fourie, Aplon, de Jongh and Habana..
6 players, of which three are playing for 2 spots..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 11) : Would love nothing more than for the Lions to roll over those foreigners, but the same players have in the past struggled to roll over in bed.
They have the same coach, same players and I’m expecting the same results. Unfortunately.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 13) : My point is that with all the Boks & injured players back the Lions will still be nowhere.
Their injured players might be big in Lions country, but they’re nobodies amongst the big boys.
@McLovin (Comment 15) :
Its a valid.. I just choose to be a little optimistic..
@McLovin (Comment 16) :
Fair comment.. I can’t argue that..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 13) : I keep hearing about the Lions injuries, but never see a list.
How long have these players been injured?
Are they Boks?
They’re mediocre. No real difference whether they are injured or not.
Here’s hoping the Lions step up next season in Super Ugby.
Especially against the convicts & cheaters from middle earth.
In Super rugby the Lions talked a big game and played really badly. I was so sick of hearing how much better they were going to do etc., etc. Now they are letting their talking be done on the field. They are not telling us they are going to do well, they are just doing it. IMHO a much better way of doing things.
Yep, I think this CC season is going to mean plenty for them in next years Super Rugby, thats if the wheels dont come off in the next few weeks.
The Lions is doing good now, but will only be better in the SR. Bulls are the team I think will struggle though.
The Lions will only be taken seriously if they perform and win more than not in next years Super series..simple as that really…
It will start with being able to continue this good form in the CC hopefully win it and carry it through to next year.
What most people are forgetting is this crapola Lions team ran the Stormers and Bulls very close in both fixtures this year with ALL THEIR BOKS …
They didnt win I hear you say .. sure but it would be stupid to ignore that a bunch of youngsters and the odd war horse managed to play some decent rugby against the power houses of SA Rugby.
And frankly come the end of this WC the Stormers and Bulls will be welcoming back a few pensioners …
Bring it !
Richard you spot on for me what’s really pleasing is seeing good positive rugby with some lovely skills and the turn around in defense …
Long may it continue.
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 24) : Lions always raise their game against the SA sides.
And the top SA sides are also probably a bit complacent when playing the Lions.
They know a win is coming, just not by how much.
@McLovin (Comment 27) :
As much as i want to disagree with you
…I cant !
Its no secret we have been crap(and thats being kind) for many years now and one swallow does not make a summer.
You Mr smartypants with your 20 flyhalfs how bout sharing the wealth with your poor distant cousins up north
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 28) : If it was up to me you can have Grant.
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 28) : @McLovin (Comment 29) :
We have Butch and Elton and Burton . we will be ok thanx
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 28) : We don’t really need any more flyhalves, to be honest. I wouldn’t mind if Anton van Zyl came back though.
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 28) : Interestingly enough, when looking at average s score in last season’s superugby then the Lions are quite close to the Kiwis.
Average score of 29 – 34 to the Cheats.
20 – 27 to the Dingos.
And 19 – 30 to the other SA sides.
So it looks like last season the got closest to the Kiwis.
Not sure what alll this means. Probably nothing. Just confusing myself.
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 28) :
i agree we haver been crap . but we are showing signs of improving @McLovin (Comment 15) :
i dont think that argument is valid . Mitch started with last years currie cup . He brought in a HUGE amount of new players .
either new or bought .
i agree we might not be world beaters , YET . but there is no denying that we are improving
@McLovin (Comment 29) : We may not win the comp, but right now we have the same points as you, plus you guys still have to tour
@Greg (Comment 34) : Looking forward to the season Stormers start with a tour.
@Greg (Comment 34) :
Well said!
@Zibbie (Comment 30) : @Greg (Comment 31) :
We’re slowly developing some good depth but can’t help but think we need another good lock and a utility back.
With the departure of Vermaak that leaves scrum half a bit thin ..
Mitchell and co are working wonders with these players …how many coaches before failed in every dept after years of trying…
Our next challenge as a Union is too hang onto the stars we are developing.
@Greg (Comment 31) :
I thought van Zyl was signed to join the Lions?
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 37) :
Yes i agree with you . we are far from complete . but for the first time in many years we are not just saying we are building . we are actually doing it .
Agreed we need a lock or even 2 . I hope Joe snyman gets some game time . he looks good every time he comes on . like i said in the Cronje topic we signed Eddie Bredenhann , the oz u/20 scrummie . so we are working on the dept there as well .
i hear a story that Alwyn Hollenbach signed for another 2 year at the Lions . apparently a few teams where after him …
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 38) :
is he not also going to Frans ?
@Zibbie (Comment 39) :
How old is Alwyn? Any idea?
@Zibbie (Comment 40) :
Ek weet nie?! I was hoping someone here could help me!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 41) :
26 this year . not to bad . got another good few years left in the tank
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 42) :
if i remember correctly its frans .. might be wrong ..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 41) :
26 27 if im not mistaken.
There were rumours of him returning but I think that came to nothing ..
@Zibbie (Comment 39) :
True, its one thing saying you rebuilding its another thing doing it …and Mitch and co are.
I like the look of Snyman he could develop into a very good player. I feel where we are winning is at the loose forwards …we have not had a loose trio like this since the mid 90′s.
@Zibbie (Comment 43) :
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 44) :
Thanx.. Still young enough!
Minnie , Strauss, Whitley and Rhodes are players we need to invest in.
Backed up by Baywatch. Wickus at lock adds an extra dimension to our ground ball.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 45) :
too young for the Sharks
you guys can have doppies if you like though
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 46) :
Rhodes is looking so much better these days..
Im quite sure he never played like he is at the moment when wearing the black and white..
@Zibbie (Comment 47) :
Doppies would be miles ahead of what we are playing with at the moment..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 49) :
and he is also injured every 2nd weekend … so you can buy him but will only be able to use him every other weekend … lol
for me Alwyn is a must at the lions .
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 48) :
Certainly is … also think Mitchell has dealt with his disipline which would be the only critizism I have of him.
Physically he has developed a helluva lot since the beginning of the year.
@Zibbie (Comment 50) :
We will do what we did with Mapoe.. Pay for rehab and then let him go..
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 51) :
He scored a great try on Friday night, I didnt think he was that strong!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 52) :
i think thats the problem with you sharks . you guys are just to damm nice
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 53) :
Still not sure what his best position will be …has been used at lock a few occasions.
@Zibbie (Comment 54) :
And a great team of doctors !
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 55) :
He seems a decent flank though, good pace off the side of the scrum..
But you are right, he has the height for lock as well and his weight will add nicely to the tight five..
Leeus vs. Griekwas: Jaco Taute; Michael Killian, Alwyn Hollenbach, Doppies la Grange, Deon van Rensburg; Elton Jantjies, Michael Bondesio; Josh Strauss, Derick Minnie, Baywatch Grobbelaar, Franco van der Merwe, Wikus van Heerden, Pat Cilliers, Bandise Maku, JC van Rensburg; Reserwes: Martin Bezuidenhout, Jacobie Adriaanse, Joe Snyman, Michael Rhodes, Warren Whiteley, Burton Francis, James Kamana.