Lions must avoid Big Hole
21 Jul 2006
Defeat for the Lions in Kimberley could prove disastrous in the long run for their chances of making a semi-final this year.
Already lagging behind after four rounds, a fourth loss would mean a massive mountain to climb, especially with the tricky trip to Newlands next weekend.
“We’ve only got three more games in the first round of matches,” returning Lions skipper Wikus van Heerden told keo.co.za. “And we need to win at least two of those if we don’t want to lose touch with the other teams.”
The Lions remaining games in the first round are against Griquas tomorrow, Western Province (away) and the Pumas at home. The obvious targets for wins would be the Griquas and Pumas games, meaning the pressure is on Van Heerden’s team tomorrow. It is a must win game if they hope to feature in the play-offs.
“We don’t want to be in a position of having to win all seven games in the second round to qualify for the semis, or hope for other results to go our way.”
Griquas in Kimberley is a bit of a bogey team for the Lions. “We always seem to struggle there, but hopefully we can put that behind us and get a good win. Griquas are playing well so anything is possible. But we are mentally ready for the challenge.”
Training has been intense this week as coach Eugene Eloff tries to build on the win over the Valke at Ellis Park last weekend.
Van Heerden missed out on the win last week as he was rested. His record as captain in this years’ competition stands at played three lost three. It is something he is desperate to correct.
“I was happy for the guys last week because it was a vital win, but I missed being a part of it. I really want to get my first win as captain on Saturday.”
The Lions arrive in Kimberley via charter plane on Saturday morning. The match kicks-off at 3pm.
By Andrew Hollely
25 Comments
21 Jul 2006, 10:22 am
Lions will lose
21 Jul 2006, 10:22 am
Hollely and the big hole
21 Jul 2006, 10:23 am
The tjarks lost against Griekwas , How the hell can the Lions beat them at home.
21 Jul 2006, 10:27 am
Lions: 33
Greek Wah’s: 18
And that’s the way it will be.
21 Jul 2006, 10:28 am
By the heading you would think they were playing WP aka Wet Poephols.
21 Jul 2006, 10:30 am
Hey brick, leave my big hol out of this…..
21 Jul 2006, 10:32 am
The Lions have a better chance of winning than the boks do tomorrow .. but it is going to be very difficult …
Go Lions !!!
21 Jul 2006, 10:37 am
Greek Wah’s punched way above their weight last week. And Lions haven’t played near their potential yet. Things have to settle back into some sense or normality at sooner or later. Tomorrow is it.
21 Jul 2006, 10:37 am
Kom Leeus, ruk julle self reg en fight vir daai semifinal!
21 Jul 2006, 10:48 am
lol at jondood post 5
21 Jul 2006, 11:05 am
Die arme leeus gaan hulle gat sien.
Griekwax 26 – 20 Embarrasments…erm… i mean lions.
21 Jul 2006, 11:10 am
Skim
Not if the Lions eat chicken.
lol
21 Jul 2006, 11:14 am
GRRRRRRRRRRRR…hungry lion wounded impala
21 Jul 2006, 11:15 am
i thought dawn lived in cape town.
21 Jul 2006, 11:39 am
Sjoe … some more Lions news. Must be a quiet day in Hollelywood
21 Jul 2006, 11:40 am
Very clever kat.
21 Jul 2006, 12:05 pm
The Lions will be a different team with Petoors back. Looking forward to seeing him in action tomorrow. Go you good thing!
21 Jul 2006, 12:09 pm
Problem is that a good Petoors is a gone Petoors. White will call on him soon. So it helps the Lions little to have him back in action. What the Lions need is a good flyhalf not elligible for Bok selection – or a Watson-type that Jake won’t select.
21 Jul 2006, 12:17 pm
Ishmaeel Dollie? Andre Houg? Tiaan Snym… sorry.
Seriously, where are Dollie and Houg playing?
At one stage I thought Roland Bernard was the next George Smith. Now he warms the Lions’ bench. Seems like I thought wrong.
Lions to brutally expose the diamond smugglers. By the end of the game they won’t find a hole big enough to bury their shame.
21 Jul 2006, 12:26 pm
Hi Katsnesnor, 100% right. I cannot wait to see him back at the Boks.
21 Jul 2006, 12:29 pm
Skote Petoors!
21 Jul 2006, 12:45 pm
I think Pretorius will only play the last 20 mins, so he might not have such a great impact on the match.
21 Jul 2006, 13:17 pm
Kwas-Kwas GRIQUAS to claim the scalp of another so-called BIG union. Looking 4wd to it.
21 Jul 2006, 13:48 pm
Griqs 36 Transvol 22. The cubs will be so flight drunk (some awesome wheather in the Y), seeing that they only arrive on Sat morning that they will wish the 52 – 0 hiding some of their predecessors got, does not get to them as well.
GO GRIQS
21 Jul 2006, 14:33 pm
Griekwas met 2!!
Katman om nie te weet waar om sy kop in te druk nie…
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