Valke circling for kill
13 Jul 2006
The Valke are hoping that the apathy of Lions fans will continue and their own supporters will turn up in droves for Friday’s Absa Currie Cup clash at Ellis Park.
With the Valke’s Bosman Stadium base less than 50km from Ellis Park Stadium, the possibility of more Valke fans than Lions fans turning up in Johannesburg is a distinct possibility.
“Although the Lions are playing at home, their fans have endured a tough time lately and have stayed away recently,†Valke coach John Williams told keo.co.za.
“I don’t expect a lot of support for the Lions and I give us a 50/50 chance. We are going there to win and not just to keep the score down.†The lack of screaming Lions fans could count in the Valke’s favour as they aim to get a second victory on-the-trot.
“And after their big defeat to the Cheetahs (59-5) last weekend it may be even worse with even more people staying away.†The Valke though were also trounced by the defending champions – 66-9 in round two in Brakpan – and a close battle is expected between the two close neighbours.
“We have a win under our belt since the Cheetahs game and the confidence is high and I’m hoping our fans will make the trip to Ellis Park to support us,†said Williams. The Valke recorded a 23-8 win over Griquas last weekend – their first win of the campaign.
The Lions on the other hand have not won a game and after three rounds find themselves at the bottom of the log with just one point. This after a disastrous Vodacom Super 14 campaign that saw them win just twice in 13 matches and finish 13th out of 14.
Another defeat to the Valke on Friday night would signal arguably the lowest point the once proud union has reached.
The game kicks-off at 7.10pm.
By Andrew Hollely
32 Comments
13 Jul 2006, 11:12 am
that will hurt alot!
13 Jul 2006, 11:16 am
its going to happen too.
13 Jul 2006, 11:17 am
PA – if the Lions can’t pull a win off against the minoows of the CC – i suspect a playoff against the Spears after round four might be in order.
13 Jul 2006, 11:18 am
Valke gaan wen met 5 punte
13 Jul 2006, 11:19 am
oh, and what happened to the lions.
last year they were one of the form teams in the CC. they were better than FS throughout the season IMO. second best team in the CC before the knockout stages. where is the old guard, surely they need a better MIX of youth and experience. there is no use in breaking these young guys confidence against seasoned campaigners…
13 Jul 2006, 11:21 am
Ig,
That is for damn sure!
But with virtually no experience at 10, and 15 – this upset is well on the cards.
You have to feel for these guys (players) though, imagine the pressure…
13 Jul 2006, 11:22 am
The lions should play in the 3rd division club rugby league.
13 Jul 2006, 11:32 am
The Lions to clip the Falcons wings!!
13 Jul 2006, 11:37 am
Lions to crack their knuckles and clobber the Valke all the way back to Bosman Stadium, or whatever shithole they call home. How’s that for apathy?
13 Jul 2006, 11:39 am
It’s possible that we might lose this game, but I don’t know what Valke supporters their coach is talking about, I’be been to the Brakpan grounds for a few games before and it’s not like it’s ever filled to capacity, and it’s quite a small stadium…surely the capacity is only about 6000 or so…
13 Jul 2006, 11:39 am
Yeesh that Bosman Stadium is a dump.
13 Jul 2006, 11:41 am
For the sake of the sanity of all of us that live in Joburg – and proudly so – I hope the Lions come right!!
Although I do have a soft spot for them Valke…
13 Jul 2006, 11:46 am
I mean, Brakpan? They have the cultural, metropolitan Meccas of Springs and Benoni right there, and they choose Brakpan as their home.
13 Jul 2006, 11:46 am
And Casper Steyn plays on and on and on …. and on!
13 Jul 2006, 11:49 am
With Oom Piet Malan (Transvaal & Springbok) in the presidents suite I think he will give his grandson (Ernst) a good snotklap come H/T if the Lions are behind.
I think he is also gatvol of the team loosing, but still respecting Loffie to bring through the young guns.
13 Jul 2006, 11:49 am
Yes he does. For the Pumas. As I said, he is a very stubborn Steyn.
13 Jul 2006, 11:51 am
no, surely we cannot lose this?
13 Jul 2006, 11:51 am
And we shan’t, cab. Trust me on this.
13 Jul 2006, 11:52 am
lol at katman (9), hope so.
13 Jul 2006, 11:53 am
Only because Naas is the Boss Andrew!!!
13 Jul 2006, 11:59 am
Dawn
And this morning they quoted him saying he’s got a few seaon left in him!
Does anyone know who is the oldest player to represent the Boks? Os is well away…
13 Jul 2006, 12:01 pm
katman, anything is possible after that Cheetahs game….
13 Jul 2006, 12:11 pm
You’re right, walter. But I have a strong suspicion the Valke are about to walk straight into a backlash ambush of note.
13 Jul 2006, 12:12 pm
21…dit lyk my Dion Lotter was die oudste bok op debuut…
gebore op 10 November 1957, debuut op 3 Julie 1993, so hy was 35 jaar en 8 maande…
13 Jul 2006, 12:19 pm
Katman, I certainly hope so, I will be at Ellis Park tomorrow and would not like to witness a loss to the Valke….
13 Jul 2006, 12:27 pm
walter
Do some shouting for me as well, I shudder to think of seeing another annihilation like I saw on TV last week. Its time for a 360 degree change and 100% improvement.
13 Jul 2006, 13:16 pm
Thanx Walter
13 Jul 2006, 14:15 pm
Every year I turn on the TV for Currie Cup, and there he is.
Casper Steyn.
13 Jul 2006, 14:28 pm
so dawn, are you complaining or happy about it?
13 Jul 2006, 15:24 pm
Lions seriously in need of quality experience. Last week they played with 3 under 20′s in their tight five.
Injuries and defections have hit them hard. Janus Labuschagne, Kleinjan Tromp,Kobus Grobeler, Gordon Gillfulan, Hulme,Pietman van Niekerk, Magotsi,Lukas van Biljon,Bertus Smit,Jorrie Muller, Conrad Jantjies, Andre Pretorius are out injured while the loss of Hall(France),Vosloo(France),Nel Fourie(Boland),Jacques Fourie,Sepaka and January(national team) have further weakened the team.
Sure, the quality of some of above players can be questioned, but you’ll always struggle when a third of your team is made up of under 21′s.It also doesn’t help if the youngsters have the likes of Julies and James van der Walt to rely on while the Rose brothers have struggled badly behind a beaten pack.
13 Jul 2006, 16:10 pm
This is the week the Lions will click and demolish the buggies!
13 Jul 2006, 22:05 pm
The valke should all grow mullets.
They play with spanners in their socks anyway, might as well go all out.
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