Lions hammer bleak Bulls

Lions hammer bleak Bulls

24 Jan 2009

The Lions caused a shock when they gave the Bulls a 44-21 hiding in their friendly at a packed Wits University.

The Bulls may have opted to field an understrength unit without Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez to name just two, but they would have expected to be competitive at the very least.

But the  Lions produced some stupendous rugby for this early in the season, scoring five first half tries, and seven in all, that entertained the 6 000 strong crowd.  

The key to the win was quick ball they won at rucks, as this afforded the backs the necessary platform to pressure the Bulls’ defensive line. The first four tries were all scored on the overlap due to the earlier sterling work at the breakdown.

Such was the Lions’ dominance that they would have earned the bonus point - had this been competition time – after 32 minutes. The fifth was possibly the best of the evening after a 20m break from captain Baywatch Grobbelaar sent Jaque Fourie over to make the score 34-0 heading into the shed.

Fourie also highlighted his importance to the team with his marshaling of the defence, which kept the Bulls scoreless for the first half. One such hit on fellow Bok Danie Rossouw where he drove him backwards was particularly memorable.

What would have also pleased Lions coach Loffie Eloff was the form of his recruited Bok wingers, Ashwin Willemse and Henno Mentz. Finishing has been a problem, but both grasped any opportunity that came their way and were also productive around the park.

The second half saw a number of  replacements on for both sides, and as a result the match deteriorated into a scrappy one. The Bulls managed to open their account five minutes into the second half with a try from replacement flank Deon Stegmann, but the Lions hit straight back.

Michael Killian, on for Willemse, charged down Burton Francis’s clearance and flopped on the ball to snuff out any hopes of an unlikely Bulls comeback.

The Lions have no more official friendlies and must wait three weeks until their Super 14 opener against the Cheetahs. Conversely for Frans Ludeke’s Bulls, they have two warm-ups where they will hope to gain some confidence.

Lions -  Tries: Ashwin Willemse, Henno Mentz, Gert Muller, Earl Rose, Jaque Fourie, Michael Killian, Jano Vermaak. Conversions: Rose (3). Penalty: Rose.

Bulls - Tries: Deon Stegmann, Bakkies Botha, Akona Ndungane. Conversions: Burton Francis (2), Bryan Habana.

* The Lions B team beat their Bulls counterparts 22-13 after leading 12-3 at half-time. Lions centre Walter Venter was a standout for the hosts.

By Grant Ball, in Johannesburg


320 Comments

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  • 1.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:10 pm

    Oh goody dragons !

  • 2.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:12 pm

    Damn, I see the Lions have chosen there best 15, Andre Pretoors excluded.

    Well… let’s see…… do not expect too much from Bulls B

  • 3.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:13 pm

    should read: “their best 15″

  • 4.dWeePer: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:15 pm

    What about scores of Bulls C in the early match that started 18H00

  • 5.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:24 pm

    LIONS to take this one….

  • 6.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:25 pm

    #5 Hmmm:
    Not that that is important…LoL

  • 7.I know nothing: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:25 pm

    Quick one: Bit of cricket news.

    Nathan Bracken has been ruled out of the 4th One dayer in Adelaide on Monday.

    That’s a real blow for Oz.

    Ons gaan vir daai Aussie bliksems moer.

    Enjoy the Lions-Bulls.

  • 8.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:26 pm

    Hope the LIONS get some structure right

  • 9.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:27 pm

    And are consistent!??!

  • 10.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:28 pm

    #7 I know nothing:

    That is great news….he is a very tight bowler…not quite a Pollock but similar…

  • 11.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:31 pm

    There are probably only 7 Bulls players in the starting lineup that will be in a Super 14 match 22…….. most on the bench

    Mangweni, Mametsa, Francis, Pedrie, Danie Pakslae, Chilli, Werner Kruger.

    Bench players in this game that will make the Super 14 starting lineup…. Akona, Habana, Bakkies, Stegmann, Kirchner

  • 12.dWeePer: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:35 pm

    If the Lions do not win this one they will win nothing

  • 13.dWeePer: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:38 pm

    #11

    A bench without a scrumhalf. Either Adams or Hougaard

  • 14.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:41 pm

    honeys i am home.

    been a bit absent of late, what with moving and new job etc. settled in in rustenburg, noit quite stellenbosch but it will do.

    so, anyone know what happened in the other games? did the stormers sarries game happen today? amd the sharks?

  • 15.carol: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:41 pm

    Hi …

  • 16.carol: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:42 pm

    #14 Knersboy: Stormers v Saracens tomorrow!

  • 17.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:43 pm

    #16 carol: thanks carol. the sharks played today though didn’t they?

  • 18.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:43 pm

    My pick for eventual Bulls Super 14 run-on side will be:

    15 Mangweni
    14 Akona
    13 Jaco Pretorius
    12 Wynand Meisiekind
    11 Habananana
    10 Morne Steyn
    9 Fourie du Preez
    8 Potgieter
    7 Pedrie
    6 Stegmann
    5 Big Vic
    4 Bakkies
    3 Ryno Gerber
    2 Bandise Maku
    1 Guthro Steenkamp

  • 19.carol: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:44 pm

    #17 Knersboy: Did they?

  • 20.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:46 pm

    #19 carol: Hellooooooo

    Yeah the Sharks plays / played the Pumas……. should have been a stroll in the park for them…. easy peasy…

  • 21.carol: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:48 pm

    #20 grootblousmile: Hi there…….. should be, are they playing now then?

  • 22.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:48 pm

    #19 carol: yap, just heard that the sharks won 19-7, no details though.

  • 23.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:49 pm

    #21 carol: I think they played this afternoon….

  • 24.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:49 pm

    #12 dWeePer:

    Agreed…

  • 25.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:49 pm

    hey gbs, hoelykit?

  • 26.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:50 pm

    #18 grootblousmile:

    Backline does not look too good!??!

  • 27.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:51 pm

    #22 Knersboy: Not very inspiring win from the Tjarks… but I heard they fielded quite a B-side as well, like the Bulls will be diong tonight.

  • 28.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:51 pm

    #13 dWeePer:

    What happened with Adams?

  • 29.carol: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:51 pm

    #23 grootblousmile: There you go, your prediction correct – you did say you would help me with /superbru didn’t you!! Heheheh :-)

  • 30.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:53 pm

    #25 Knersboy: Knersus…. nee dinge lyk gaaf…. g’n klagtes nie.

    #26 Hmmm: To me it does….. 5 recent Springboks… PLUS Mangweni & Steyn…

  • 31.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:53 pm

    #27 grootblousmile:

    It was not a good team at all…worst backline ever….and “lig innie broek” forwards….

    But still they played a team that did not even make it to the semi in the CC b-comp…

  • 32.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:57 pm

    #30 grootblousmile:

    At S14 level…I don’t think so…

    JacoP played one good game in 2 years (hopefully for your sake the chamnge in scenery helps)…
    Habana has been less than poor for a year….
    Tiger needs to step up if he wants to be good in S14….

    The rest I agree with…although Akona will only hold his own….not WoW anyone…

    I don’t think they are too good…lets us hope your forwards give them enough advantage to shine….

  • 33.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:58 pm

    #32 Hmmm:

    They will need all the space and advantage the forwards can give them…

  • 34.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:58 pm

    #29 carol: This first round of warm-up matches sees all the mix-and-match combo’s, the fringe players….. in the 2nd and third warm-up matches we’ll see the better players playing… that’s where we’ll be able to see if there’s light in the tunnel for the upcoming Super 14.

    Tonight’s match should be won by the Lions, they are fielding their strongest possible team…

  • 35.RedLion roars again: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 19:59 pm

    Roar!

    B team did the job now it is time for the A-Team Lions to do the job.

  • 36.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:00 pm

    #27 grootblousmile: ag well, will wait for the match report, warm up games.

    anyone know if the stormers-sarries game is being televised. it would be a pity if not, we never get to see one of our teams play a nh side, even if it is a warm up, would be nice to watch.

  • 37.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:01 pm

    #36 Knersboy: Sarries game not televised

  • 38.RedLion roars again: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:02 pm

    #18 grootblousmile:

    Derek WhoHard is such an averge player. All the commentators comment on him sitting so deep in the pocket. How did he ever start a s!4 match?

  • 39.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:03 pm

    #37 grootblousmile: thanks, that sucks.

  • 40.carol: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:03 pm

    #34 grootblousmile: Possibly the only chance some players will have to impress.
    A Lions win will bring a smile to K9′s face.

  • 41.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:04 pm

    #38 RedLion roars again: Yip !

    Looking forward to Morne Steyn getting an extended run in the Super 14…

  • 42.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:04 pm

    #35 RedLion roars again:

    Did we win?

    What was the score…

  • 43.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:05 pm

    #41 grootblousmile:

    Me too….he has really been looking good the last few years….and he is still young…he can still fight for a Bok spot….

  • 44.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:05 pm

    #40 carol: Yeah…. and he’ll be vocal as all hell…. conveniently forgetting that it’s Lions A against Bulls B…

    On the other hand, should the Bulls win…. K9 will be deep in the kuk !

  • 45.Hmmm: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:06 pm

    Ok guys….gotta go….

  • 46.carol: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:07 pm

    #44 grootblousmile: No money riding on this one then?

  • 47.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:07 pm

    #45 Hmmm: Tatta

  • 48.alf: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:07 pm

    My S14 Bulle span
    Kichner
    Ndgane
    Jaco P
    WO
    Habana
    Steyn
    FDP

    Spies
    Pedri
    Stegmann
    Vic
    Bakkies
    Gerber
    Chile
    Steenkamp

    Reserwes
    Kruger
    Kuun
    Danie
    Dewald
    Heini
    Francis
    JP

  • 49.carol: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:08 pm

    #45 Hmmm: See you…

  • 50.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:08 pm

    #46 carol: None !

    Logic dictates that Lions should win this one

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