The second of the South African team in action this weekend, and yet another team starting their tour. The Lions have been nothing short of woeful so far this season and are again stuck on 7 consecutive losses. The team sees another captain take charge in Josh Strauss, and with new combinations all over the park, I cannot see them scaring the Brumbies.
The Brumbies are back in Australia after their tour of South Africa, losing both games on the tour, and will be looking to get back into the winning rhythm in front of their crowd. I personally think they will stroll past a hapless Lions side and win comfortably, by at least 20 points.
Kick off is at 11h40.
Brumbies: 15. Pat McCabe, 14. Andrew Smith, 13. Tyrone Smith, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10. Matt Giteau (Captain), 9. Josh Valentine, 8. Ita Vaea, 7. Colby Faingaa, 6. Mitchell Chapman, 5. Ben Hand, 4. Peter Kimlin, 3. Jono Owen, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Ben Alexander
Replacements: 16. Huia Edmonds, 17. Salesi Ma’afu, 18. Mark Chisholm, 19. Michael Hooper, 20. Patrick Phibbs, 21. Robbie Coleman, 22. Henry Speight
Lions: 15. Jaco Taute, 14. Lionel Mapoe, 13. Dylan Des Fountain, 12. Alwyn Hollenbach, 11. Deon van Rensburg, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Joshua Strauss (Captain), 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Derick Minnie, 5. Franco van der Merwe, 4. Wikus van Heerden, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Edgar Marutlulle, 1. JC Janse van Rensburg
Replacements: 16. Bandise Maku, 17. Kevin Buys, 18. Warren Whiteley, 19. Cobus Grobbelaar, 20. Rory Kockott, 21. Burton Francis, 22. Butch James
Tweet
Read in this morning’s Beeld that mr James has been flown over and will play of the bench today, with Boshoff dropping out.
Picked Brumbies by 9.
Butch on the bench confirmed..
Brumbies by 10 please..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) : I need bonus points 😕
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 5) :
So do I, especially after the Stormers loss..
Lions building the phases!!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 7) :
Then the Brumbies turn it over..
Another 8+ phases from the Lions..
Good with ball in hand so far..
Lions penalty..
Brumbies penalised at the breakdown..
Taking the lineout..
Lions nearly score but are blown up for obstruction..
Bad luck Lions..
I’d love for the Lions to get a win here.
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 12) :
It would be good, but for SB it would be a nightmare..
Stephen Moore try for Brumbies!!
Giteau converts
Brumbies 7 – 0 Lions
12 minutes
I have Giteau as a starting Halfback. I’m expecting quite a few conversions from him 🙂
5m attacking lineout for the Brumbies
@KSA Shark © (Comment 16) :
Won’t be surprised if he gets a few tries as well..
Pat Ciliers late tackle cops a yellow card!!
Giteau aiming at goal to take the three points..
Brumbies 10 – 0 Lions
19 minutes
On viewing the replays.. the call for a yellow was extremely harsh!
Lions not taking the three points, another attacking lineout..
Lions TMO for a try..
Home town reffing is sucking the last bit of life outta this side..
My heart goes out 2 the players..
I don’t make a habit of complaining about the ref but hell this is ridiculous..why r all the officials Aussie?
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 25) :
That disallowed try was a rubbish call, have to agree..
Shouldn’t be a try.. but Lions had advantage..
Richard I’m stumped asto y he got yellow.. Min later and a Brumbie high tackle goes unnoticed..
Lions maul it up again..
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 28) :
The yellow was extremely harsh.. he wasn’t even late..
Another Lions lineout after another Brumbies infringement..
Card for the Brumbies in the waiting here..
Lions try!!
Michael Rhodes!!
A well worked try!
The Lions much stronger in the maul!!
Brumbies 10 – 7 Lions
25 minutes
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 30) :
That was not late or a lift – Lions being screwed home-town style.
Great commitment in scoring that try – I really hope these lads can win this.
@Big Fish (Comment 34) :
The Lions playing much better than they have been in recent weeks..
Who is the referee?
Lions on the attack again!!
And then they turn it over..
Kearnsey: “If it was a pie and sauce he would have wrapped it up!”
😆 😆 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 36) :
Think its Nathan Pierce.
But the card call came from the TJ.
Another Lions try!
Good work!
Great work by the pack there – they just kept going forward despite some big hits.
Deon van Rensburg goes over untouched in the corner..
Conversion missed..
Brumbies 10 – 12 Lions
35 minutes
Great defensive effort from the Lions!
Brumbies 10 – 12 Lions
HALF TIME
Much more commitment at the breakdown and on defence..I’m proud of the players they took the yellow and disallowed try on the chin and kept at it..please boys I need some cheering up!
Go Banagalore! 😆
Go Lions!!
Hollenbach try!!
Jantjies converts
Brumbies 10 – 19 Lions
45 minutes
Just love the pain in the Aussie commentators voice when the opposition score.
@McLovin (Comment 51) :
They don’t hide it well..
Missed the try!
Look at how these unspectacular Lions forwards are getting over the gain line – just going in pods of 2 and 3.
You don’t need superstars to make that work – but the Sharks don’t use it enough.
Very encouraging play from the Lions so far.
@Big Fish (Comment 53) :
We can take a leaf out their playbook, that’s for sure!
Lions penalty.. looking to stretch that lead..
Slots it!
Brumbies 10 – 22 Lions
52 minutes
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 54) :
Its a good illustration of a simple mistake we made against the Stormers.
Jeez but this McCabe fullback is a strong runner!!
@Big Fish (Comment 57) :
Our individual runners dont have as much of an impact..
Brumbies going at goal.. Lions offside..
@Big Fish (Comment 57) : Stormers are not the Brumbies bru. 😈
Brumbies 13 – 22 Lions
54 minutes
@McLovin (Comment 61) : And now that I’ve said that, they’re probably going to klap the Stormers in two weeks time. 😆
@McLovin (Comment 63) :
Hehe.. Tempting fate are you!?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 59) :
No single player is stronger than 2.
@McLovin (Comment 61) :
You could be right. One huge difference is that the Brumbies might actually win today.
Not to put a damper on things but you guys are perhaps giving the Lions ‘gameplan’ too much credit.
These are two teams that have only managed 3 wins out of 21 matches between them so far. 😈
Bonus point try for Taute!!!
@Big Fish (Comment 65) : Still top of the conference. 😛
Jantjies with the flair and class and Taute with the BURN!!!
How about a yellow for the late Brumbies hit on Jantjies you local knobs? 👿
Jantjies running through a massive gap!!
Jantjies converts..
Brumbies 13 – 29 Lions
63 minutes
Lions have to be careful to not get a yellow here..
Great turnover by the Lions..
@McLovin (Comment 68) :
Congratulations. Know anyone who has won a trophy for topping the conference mid-season? I don’t.
@McLovin (Comment 68) :
@Big Fish (Comment 73) :
You guys crack me up..
@Big Fish (Comment 73) : Just stating the facts. A friendly retort to your comments. 🙂
Jeez, you’re the last person I expected to be so hung up about the Stormers beating the Sharks. 🙄 😉
Amazing defence from the Lions!!
10 minutes to defend a 16 point lead..
@Big Fish (Comment 73) : Maybe you should hold off with the trophy* chirps until your side has actually won one. 😈
*SupeRugby
Butch James is on the park playing Super Rugby again..
@McLovin (Comment 75) :
All in good spirit mate.
Jantjies has looked so good. I think the real difference tonight has been the confidence and calm he has played with.
Lambie is the more rounded, dependable and better on defence, but this kid is probably more elusive.
@Big Fish (Comment 80) : Cool. 🙂
Though have to admit, I’m starting to get on my own nerves now.
Back to the rugby at hand.
Well done Lions.
Too bad I only picked them by 5 on SB.
Brumbies score a 95m try!!
Butcher looks as physical and sharp as ever.
Unlucky try against the Lions – they were all up on attack.
Guteau converts..
Brumbies 20 – 29 Lions
3 minutes to play
@Big Fish (Comment 84) :
Lions would have lost this match if they started with Butch at 10..
Brumbies 20 – 29 Lions
FULL TIME
Crickey but these commentators are ‘suurgat’. 🙄
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 86) :
Not sure how you conclude that – Butch didn’t look shabby at all.
But the reason I can’t understand why the Lions would want Frans Steyn AND Butch is that the latter can play 10 or 12.
If Jantjies stay at 10, they have Butch for 12. If Jantjies is out of form, Butch at 10 and Doppies at 12.
With Taute at 15, where would you play Frans?
I think Butch will be very good at 12.
RESPECT to the forwards they won us this game in particular. Strauss,Minnie and Wickus..also very chuffed for young Jantjies awesome game!
Perhaps the Lions should base themselves In Aus next year ..
Well done ..! Its a start but a very very long way from what is expected overall.
Yebo Gogo!! Now for the Cheetahs to top off what has been a great day! If the Bulls aren’t careful, Rod Macqueen will expose them.
Well played Lions. Fantastic result for them.
Whoop whoop. Speedy’s back !!!
@McLovin (Comment 51) :
When their superheroes aren’t so super it HURTS.
Well Done Lions. Beating 16 men ain’t easy 😛
Well done Lions, great win. That has broken my SB streak.. The way things are going today the Bulls are heading for a loss and the Cheetahs for a win.
wow ❗
@Big Fish (Comment 73) : 😆 Best comeback I’ve seen anywhere in a while. 😆
@Speed7 (Comment 93) : 😎
Forgot 2 mention Rhodes and Hollenbach ..infact a gr8 all round performance my the whole team ..
One has to ask why only now we see this composure and hunger only now..
1st bonus point win in 2 years..I reckon a Jagermiester is in order 🙂
@McLovin (Comment 88) : The more suurgat they are the better it makes me feel.
That mindset of mine has been around since long before THIS blog 😆
@Speed7 (Comment 93) : Hey welcome to our site. Are you new here? Tell us about yourself. 😛
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 100) : Make it 1 for each try. 🙂
Lol KSA ..
Haha. Not new. Reformed.
Dude iv been starved of TV and internet ..occasionally my BB gets in for a quick update..I’m not complaining though 😉 given how our season has gone iv saved myself lots of heartache..
Hope u and family are all well!
Cheers
AND WITH THAT THE LAST MAN STANDING COMPETITION COMES TO AN END.
OUR WINNER IS FLEETFOOTMAC.
Although all 4 our remaining entrants picked the Brumbies, Fleetfootmac was fleet footed with his/her picks and courtesy of the timestamp tiebreak is a COMFORTABLE winner.
Congratulations. We will be in touch shortly for you prize details.
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 100) : perhaps butch on the bench inspired some emergy in Jantjies and Vermaak was benched last week.
These Brumbies are going to make Jake White look so good next season.
Jake will take these guys from less than 30% victories in 2011 to 60%plus in 2012.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 107) : congrats FleetFootMac 😎
I must say it warmed the cockels of my heart seeing Butch come on and the Lions winning..
Who is fleetfootmac… Mclovin..?
@CoffeeshopBok;-) (Comment 112) : Nope. I’m not sure, but it isn’t a SW poster. 🙁
KSA just had my last jager 4 four tries.. Sweetheart is driving a punch drunk supporter home now..she reckons its a good thing the Lions don’t win often .. 🙂
Well done Lions
Can believe I missed the game? A mate was recording it, we were going to watch delayed live later, just had word that the pvr got unplugged so that the heater could be plugged in!
@Greg (Comment 116) : 😯
it’s warm today .
@Greg (Comment 116) :
Should be repeated tomorrow morn on SS1 at around 8.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 98) : Been mentioned a few times by Fish. Must be something only you Sharks fans get. 😉
Makes no sense as I’ve never mentioned a trophy or even mentioned the Stormers as potential trophy winners.
Plus when your side has also not won a single super rugby trophy, such a chirp seems rather silly imo. 😈
@McLovin (Comment 119) :
Shame. I can see your feelings are hurt.
I best lay off you for a while.
@Big Fish (Comment 120) : No need. Merely stating facts old chap. You should try it. 😉 😈
@Big Fish (Comment 118) : Tomorrow my girls are in a horse show, starts at 8
In the words of lady gaga ..I was born this way!
Greg wipe that grin off your face 😉 🙂
Welldone Lions!