Lions still in the hunt

Lions still in the hunt

4 Sep 2008

Lions coach Loffie Eloff believes a home semi-final is still a possibility, but five consecutive wins is a must.

The Lions currently lie comfortably in fourth spot, but seven points adrift of the second-placed Sharks and a home play-off spot. Eloff is not under-estimating the so-called minnows, but in the next three weeks the Lions face the Valke (away), Griquas (home), and Boland in Wellington. Claiming 15 points is a necessity ahead of their final couple of fixtures against the Sharks in Johannesburg and Western Province at Newlands.

“We need to win all five of them, and are aiming to do so,” Eloff told keo.co.za. “We need bonus points, but aren’t focusing on that just yet, we must win the games first. It will be ideal to get the home-semi, and with big teams playing each other in the next few weeks, it gives us a chance to close the gap.”

The bigger unions do have the luxury of returning Springboks for the closing run towards the semis – something Eloff doesn’t have at his disposal. Joe Van Niekerk has left for Toulon, while Eloff is hopeful Jaque Fourie will return in two weeks time from his jaw injury suffered in the Test against Argentina.

“The top Springboks will definitely strengthen the other teams, and this will make it an interesting and tough end to the competition – which is what we want. If everything goes to plan, Jaque could be back in two weeks, as could [utility back] Jannie Boshoff. Other good news is that [lock] Dewald Senekal could return in four weeks,” said Eloff.

The return of ex-skipper Ernst Joubert counters the loss of in-form eighthman Willem Alberts – who is sidelined for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury. However, the depth in the squad will be of a concern to Eloff as five, and possibly six consecutive weeks (including the semis) of rugby remain.

Joubert captained the team at the beginning of the Super 14 before he injured his shoulder, but Cobus Grobbelaar will retain the captaincy for the rest of the season. “We just want Ernst to focus on his own game at the moment and to get his form back.”

The Lions will need the top teams to aid them in their quest for a home semi, but if they keep their end of the bargain, the possibility of a play-off at Ellis Park can not be discarded just yet.

By Grant Ball


27 Comments

  • 1.Staal: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:25 am

    Lion Dragonnnnnns!

  • 2.Boelie: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:25 am

    Lets just get to the semis

  • 3.Loosehead: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:25 am

    Gauteng Dragons

  • 4.Loosehead: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:26 am

    #3 Loosehead: Ag nee V0k Staal.

  • 5.Staal: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:27 am

    They are playing beautiful rugby this year ,(although not for 80m in each match). They need to work on that and they might go far this year. Depth seems to be a problem but whith Gadget Boy there anything can happen….

  • 6.Loosehead: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:28 am

    Katman, always in with a chance of a semi?

  • 7.Staal: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:28 am

    #4 Loosehead: hey wat vloek jy so vroeg innie oggend?

  • 8.David: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:29 am

    Alberts is a major loss. It’s a pity that we won’t see a loose trio of Alberts, Joubert and Baywatch again this season.

  • 9.Staal: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:31 am

    Joubert captained the team at the beginning of the Super 14 before he injured his shoulder, but Cobus Grobbelaar will retain the captaincy for the rest of the season. “We just want Ernst to focus on his own game at the moment and to get his form back.”

    Imo a very good decision.

    Bulls should have Wikus captain as well.

  • 10.Loosehead: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:32 am

    #5 Staal: They are a good side, well coached too.

  • 11.Loosehead: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:34 am

    #9 Staal: Ja, shows trust in his captain. Gobani and Wikus can’t be feeling all that great.

  • 12.Koos: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:39 am

    #5 Staal: Some things never change hey…

  • 13.Staal: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:55 am

    #12 Koos: the more they change the more they stay the same…..

  • 14.Koos: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:57 am

    #13 Staal: No really, this has been a Lions problem for a few years now, either not playing for 80 minutes or only the latter part of the season when all is lost.

  • 15.Staal: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:58 am

    #11 Loosehead:

    honestly i don’t rate Bobo as a captain… to be honest … not even as a CC player…. th be brutally honest….. how the hell does this guy get to wear a Wp jumper? Michael, Willie, Colin, ect must be shaking there heads.

  • 16.Staal: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 07:59 am

    #14 Koos: 100% – ek stem saam.

  • 17.wez: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 08:26 am

    Kom nou Leeutjies, daai 11/1 bet om die CurrieCup te wen wat ek in Junie gemaak het maak my lekker nervous! Moet nou nie kak aanjaag soos julle teen die Cheetahs gedoen het nie!

  • 18.dWeePer: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 08:43 am

    Wikus always knew that he is only third in line for the captaincy of the Bulls. Why should he have a problem if Vic is reinstated?

    The same goes for Bobo

  • 19.Richie_7: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 08:52 am

    #18 dWeePer:

    Because Wikus is a better captain than Victor can ever hope to be

  • 20.Die Arme W.P: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 10:32 am

    Die Lions, my groot liefde!!! As ons net spelers kan behou wat ons so mooi leer rugby speel is daar nie een span wat naby ons sal kom nie!!
    15. Conrad Jantjes
    14. Ashwin Willemse
    13. Jaque Fourie
    12. Doppies la Grange
    11. Bryan Habana
    10. Andre Pretorius
    9. Ricky Januarie
    8. Joe van Niekerk
    7. Wikus van Heerden
    6. Cobus Grobbelaar
    5. Gerhard Mostert
    4. Anton van Zyl
    3. Lawrence Sephaka
    2. Willie Wepener (Schalk Brits as impact-player)
    1. Heinke van der Merwe
    Aan alle WP dose: Stel ‘n WP span saam (uit julle eie spelers) wat hierdie Leeu span kan probeer skrikmaak!!!

  • 21.lion4ever: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 11:14 am

    #20
    Add Mujati into the mix plus the Cronje brothers that the Lions played when no one else wanted them.

  • 22.seamus: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 13:03 pm

    Lions to finish 4th and loose to the Bulls in the semi-final.

    Not good enough for a team that was the strongest and richest rugby team in the world 12 years ago

  • 23.lion4ever: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 13:31 pm

    #22
    Lions have 3 relatively easy matches and 2 tougher ones, with the Sharks being the hardest match. 25 Points in the run up to the semi’s, could see the Lions sneak into 2nd place, and a home semi. From there anything could happen. A CC win will see our fortunes change, and the Lions regain their rightful position in pecking order.

  • 24.Airwell: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 14:50 pm

    #9 Staal: How can the bok captain not be the bulls cappy. After all he was the Super 14 winning Cappie. Wickus IMO plays better when he is not the captain

  • 25.Ed_the_Lion: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 15:18 pm

    Die LEEUS

  • 26.wernergreeff fanclub membership 3: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 15:35 pm

    #15 Staal: Colin wie?

  • 27.RedLion: Reply to this comment
    4 Sep 2008, 20:02 pm

    OK Loffredus.

    Your 3 year Currie Cup plan is about to mature. I want to win GOLD, as in Currie Cup GOLD. Home semi away semi, home final away final I do not care.

    so no more excuses – show me the trophy.

    … or else!

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