No let up for Lions

No let up for Lions

21 Jun 2006

The Lions have undoubtedly the most arduous start to this season’s Absa Currie Cup competition, kicking-off with the Sharks in Durban on Friday.

The Sharks are a much improved outfit and are many people’s favourites to win the title at this early stage following an impressive run in the Super 14. The Lions then host the Blue Bulls the following Saturday at Ellis Park, before travelling to Bloemfontein the next weekend for a clash with the Currie Cup champions, the Cheetahs.

Lions captain Wikus van Heerden refused to feel sorry for his team. “The only way to test yourself is against the best,” he told keo.co.za, “and those teams are undoubtedly that.”

But the Lions have a new coach and several exciting youngsters mixed with some old hands. “Loffie has brought some new ideas to the table. We have now had time to get used to his ideas. And I think it is a more exciting brand and more expansive,” said the tearaway flanker who will be wearing the No 6 jersey at Absa Stadium instead of his customary No 7.

And the focus is firmly on the clash with the Sharks. “We can’t afford to get ahead of ourselves. It is not going to be easy against the Sharks who showed what they were capable of in the Super 14. We are both missing a few players, but no matter what it is always tough in Durban.”

Van Heerden maintains that the teams that travel well will be in with the best chance of securing a home semi-final or final hence the importance of the opening match. “We need to travel well. After all it is the same game between four white lines no matter where you play.”

Consistency is thus key to a successful campaign and victory on Friday night would be the perfect start to difficult opening sequence for a Lions team desperate to bury the ghosts of the Cats poor Super 14 run.

By Andrew Hollely


26 Comments

  • 1.Nic: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 06:50 am

    Go Lions!

  • 2.Staal: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 07:06 am

    As ek nou moet raai dan dink ek die Sharks gaan die Leeus ‘n snotkap gee. Ek kannie sien dat Loffie enigsinds ‘n verskil gaan maak nie.

    Die Sharks is die span om te wen die jaar.

  • 3.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 07:10 am

    More Staal.EK reken dis n Cheetah teen Sharks finaal die jaar.Wat dink jy?

  • 4.Paws: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 07:27 am

    Ouch .. 3 weekends .. 3 very big games for my Lions .. come boys, show us what you can do.

    Goooooo LIONS !!!!!

  • 5.Gee Gas: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 07:35 am

    bliksem,

    Lyk my nie Staal wil met jou praat nie!

    Ek dink ‘n Sharks teen Cheethas final is ‘n baie groot moontlikheid!

  • 6.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 07:40 am

    gee gas dalk s staal n bul ondersteuner.

  • 7.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 07:40 am

    Flyfishing was invented by the Egyptians.

  • 8.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 07:41 am

    Strongest muscle in the human body is the tongue.

  • 9.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 07:41 am

    It’s impossible to swallow your tongue.

  • 10.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 07:46 am

    Chicks dig me.

  • 11.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 07:50 am

    i chow the punani,it’s where I get my POWER.

  • 12.strikers: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 08:07 am

    Shakrs wont be the same force they will be in 2 weeks or so when they have thier U21 stars back (about 10 of them, lol)

    So much better to play the sharks up front and get it out the way with while they are ‘weak’

  • 13.Staal: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 08:17 am

    bliksem,

    sorry was gou uit kantoor, sien nou eers jou post.

    Stem saam dit gaat bitter moeilik wees om daai 2 spanne te wen. Hulle het die “gesoute” S14 spelers wat beskikbaar is.

    Kannie sien dat die Bullee met al daai jong manne dit gaan maak nie.

  • 14.Staal: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 08:44 am

    bullee = bulle

  • 15.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 08:57 am

    Bliksem in woman it is not the tongue. The longest and the strongest is the muscle running on the side of the jaw. As die bek dik is kry jy vir fokkol nie die bene oop nie.

  • 16.Stan: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 09:05 am

    Staal,
    Nee die Bulle sal dit doen.
    Binnekort is Bands en n paar ander ook terug.

  • 17.Chuck Norris: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 09:06 am

    Spot on RedCard, not even Chuck Norris can get that one right.

  • 18.Sampioenman: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 09:09 am

    Sharks se jaar is hier! Die CC gaan weer in Durbs staan!

  • 19.yoda: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 09:26 am

    Bulle vs lions/province final

  • 20.yoda: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 09:27 am

    oh, and lions to beat the sharks the weekend

  • 21.jomar1: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 09:29 am

    where is john daniels? I really think he is better than useless wylie human

  • 22.walter: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 09:34 am

    Let’s see what happens of Friday, if the Lions can beat the guppies were halfway there!

  • 23.emiel: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 09:45 am

    Interesting, no Kobus Grobelaar or Joubert. Would like to see Schalk van der Merwe be included. Since the departure of Schalk Britz Lions lack an impact player amongst their forwards.

  • 24.Cape Shark: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 10:44 am

    Lions vs Sharks in Durban, sorry kitty kats it won’t happen!!

  • 25.cab: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 11:36 am

    emiel, yeah whats going on their, definitely baywatch.

  • 26.Craig Goosen: Reply to this comment
    21 Jun 2006, 14:51 pm

    The Lions need to make a few signings in key positions.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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