The Lions have set their sights on retaining John Mitchell for the Super 15 next year.
Mitchell is still currently the Head coach of the Western Force but he has taken over at the Lions as their Currie Cup coach.
The Lions president, Kevin de Klerk says that they are negotiating with Mitchell to stay on despite his contract with the Perth based Western Force franchise expiring only at the end of next year’s Super 15.
The final decision remains with Mitchell’s employers at the Force in Perth.
“We are negotiating with John to remain at the Lions,” De Klerk told Newstime.
“But this depends on whether there is a way out of his contract and if the Western Force will release him.”
“If we are able to retain his services it would be a bonus because he is a good coach and it would assist us in recruiting a quality group of players to strengthen the union.
“If this materialises, Dick will be the director of coaching and John the head coach.”
De Klerk said that although they had openly expressed their wish for Mitchell to remain at the Lions, they would not put pressure on him.
“John is a man of high morals and values and, similarly to him, we would like to follow the proper procedures for him to remain here,” De Klerk said.
“I can’t speak for him, but it looks as though he is enjoying his time at the Lions.”
“He has been an inspiration at the union,” De Klerk said. “The feedback I have received from the players about their experiences of working with John has been very positive.
“The administrative staff have great respect for him because of his values and high level of professionalism. So I am over the moon with what he has done in the little time that he has been here.”
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Especially for our Lions fans..
He’s good but an idiot !
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 1) : You are so kind ❗ Go on admit it, you really do love us 😀
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 2) : Well, compared with DM, who in the S14 showed himself to be an idiot, and not very good, it would be a step in the right direction.
He can stay, but the onther two NZ- Carlos, Tails, must F#$% home.
@Tiger (Comment 5) :
Who is ‘Tails’ ? 😕
Conditioning Coach , what a assholl.
@Tiger (Comment 7) :
Really what’s his name ❓
Wayne Tailor. Ex NZ army, was with UN , now thinks he is a Recce.
@Greg (Comment 3) : 😈
LV is not the word a liitle respect thats all 🙄 😉
Carlos Spencer is not the right person to be coaching young Jantjies, or is he? Jantjies must learn the good, and chuck away the bad, he already has X factor…
John Mitchell is a very good coach, his results are not good however due to the squads at his disposal post All Black era. He could do well for The Lions, he is structured and plays well from the set piece, Dicky has been shown up here and will have to fight hard for a new contract, especially since S14 and new Bok year.
@Tiger (Comment 9) :
Don’t know him ! You are obviously not a fan ! 😆
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 12) : Clearly he is not a fan! I know of him, but not much. He doesn’t seem to be doing a great job, though. Lions have started the last few games well, but then seem to have run out of steam. Maybe conditioning is a problem. However, considering the tackles the Lions had to make this weekend, running out of steam was perhaps understandable ❗
@Greg (Comment 13) :
I think the way forward for the Lions (my two cents worth) is to keep the ball in hand a bit more.
Your new little fly half who looks a prospect …kicks it away to much.
The Lions will run sides off there feet at home, you have the biggest guys in world rugby now you just need some intelligent fit ones !
Mitchell will get them going, i would judge them on their home performances. Onwards and Upwards.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 14) : I think most of your comments are worth a lot more than just two cents ❗
Jantjies does tend to kick more than may be needed, but not sure if it’s too much. I personally think that under Spencer’s mentorship he is going to blossom. Jaco Taute at the back, however, tries to run it too much, and needs to learn to kick his way out of trouble a bit more. I believe he is far better suited to the flyhalf position, with Alwyn Hollenbach at FB. Unfortunately Alwyn is out injured at the moment.
Staying power for 80 minutes, and holding the ball, without coughing it up after multiple phases will be the main keys in the second half of the competition.
@Greg (Comment 15) : do you think the lions are fit enough? just a thought
@war1 (Comment 16) : Currently, without a doubt, no. But under JM I believe those fitness levels will increase. He doesn’t appear to accept mediocrity in that department. Whether those levels of fitness will increase enough to have made a huge difference by season end remains to be seen.
@Greg (Comment 15) :
Why thanks Greg ! 😉
Laurie Mains always said that the Lions were a powerhouse of a Union, and he is never far off the mark.
I have only seen Taute a couple of times and looks really good.
I will keep an eye out for Hollenbach.
‘Staying power for 80 minutes’ i like it get it on the dressing room wall.
Remember G ‘pass it, don’t kick it’ ! 😉
Yours in Rugby Analysis
HH
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 18) :
You have a few signatures now hey HH
Yours in Rugby Analysis
Yours in Punting
Whats next?
@Greg (Comment 17) : it is a worry (for you guys) that they seem to fade in the 2nd half of matches, maybe Wayne Taylor is not cutting it
@war1 (Comment 20) : Well the way I remember it we disappeared late in the second half against Griquas as well otherwise we could`ve been right up there with the Log Leaders from Fairest Cape . . .
@Corlandie (Comment 21) : but since then we have had improved in the second half, not so?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 19) :
I have a ideas ! 😎
@war1 (Comment 22) : True, just once I`d love not to have to improve but to be the best already. Guess I`ll never be a lion supporter. 😕
i am eatnig humble pie thats for sure!! when news came that mitchell was going to coach the lions i thought, oh dear, another waste of a plan, but oh no, i have been proven wrong! lions, although they are not winning, they are producing some good games and the guys that mitchell is bringing thru are bound to shape the lions into a solid unit in the years to come! i wont be surprised if they raise the Currie Cup within the next 5years!
@richzed (Comment 25) : My objection to that Richzed is that The Lions have been “a squad under development” for who knows how long now, and no matter the promise they don’t deliver… They have made a semi in the CC here and there, but overall not so much… I’d like to think that they can turn it around, and turn it around soon, but I am unfortunately not so sure…