The Lions got their “Challenge” campaign off to solid start at Ellis Park on Saturday night in beating the Russian national side by 51 points to 13.
The play was spoiled somewhat by the constant rain that fell during the match, but the Lions easily dealt with their opponents, who simply couldn’t match them physically. It was in the scrums, particularly, that the contest was one-sided, with two penalty tries awarded to the home side due to Russian collapsing near the goal-line.
Five other tries were scored by Lions players, with the Bears managing a single consolation themselves.
Scorers:
Lions (51):
Tries: Helberg, Roodt, Tecklenburg, Boshoff, Nel, Penalty Tries 2
Pens: Cronjé 2
Cons: Cronjé 4, Boshoff
For Russia (13):
Try: Makovetskiy
Con: Klyuchnikov
Pens: Klyuchnikov 2
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Russia is ranked 20th at this stage I think. I dont know how strong this team was but the Lions team was not their best and they still hammered them.
The top tier nation’s strenght and depth are worlds apart from the rest.
We`ll see how they go against the Cheetahs this weekend. Should be more of a test.
Well depending on the team Naka selects of course.
Ill tell you one thing .. the Kings should never place Russia . IF they do they will beat them and then demand inclusion into the world cup
I agree that Russia is not on par. This weekend will be a good test for us, even if the Cheetahs play a B side. This Lions team is also just trying to find their feet after many players have left. We need to play well against the Cheaters and beat them well!
I was expecting a much closer affair, especially in the rain.
Kudos to the Lions for coming out and putting everything into the match, they seem to have a point or two to prove.
Was impressed with Lionel Cronje, let’s hopehe can stay fit for a few months and really anker this Lions side.
Looking forward to the Cheetahs match for a better indication of how the youngsters are doing.
and to think people last weekn thought the lions would lose against the russians, pity about the language barrier though, the russians battled.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 6) : Fantastic to see Lionel play a bit at 10, still rusty but showed initiative which bodes well because he’s a player who enjoy take full control of the game. Still the most talented schoolboy 10 I have ever seen
@Zibbie (Comment 4) : I know that you Lions supporters are angry at the Kings, but that is just uncalled for
@Ludz (Comment 9) :
im sorry .
not angry . just frustrated . and you must admit some of those frustrations are valid .
Kings got to Franchise to grow the game in the EC and now they want to include 5 foreigners in the squad .
in my opinion that is no good for SA rugby . last year the Lions had 1 foreign player . so this year 4 SA players will be missing out on super rugby .
IS this in your opinion better for SA rugby ?
Also dont be so sensitive . The Kings got there wish . Should what people say really matter ?
@Zibbie (Comment 10) :
Plus the amount of Lions jokes ive sat through will astonish you . You have to learn to laugh at them and move on . I can assure you people wont stop making jokes . 😉
@Zibbie (Comment 11) : With your inside knowledge of being on the arse end of such jokes, maybe you should set up a support group for Ludz.
He’s going to need it.
@rhineshark (Comment 12) :
The doc is IN 😉
@Zibbie (Comment 13) : 😆