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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  • 51.RedLion roars again: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:09 pm

    #42 Hmmm:

    22-13 according to Grant ball :smile: . It is a pity that this match is not being broadcast. Right now I am watching Derek Whooohard play for Heyneke’s orphaned team.

  • 52.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:17 pm

    No scores yet…. 10 min gone ??

  • 53.madeliefie: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:18 pm

    bulls 13 – Lions 12

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

    Grrrrrr, try from lions……. grrrrrrrr

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

    #50 grootblousmile: Ah, logic…..
    K9 will be happy if logic has its way!

  • 56.carol: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:21 pm

    #54 grootblousmile: Feel the fear!! :-)

  • 57.RedLion roars again: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:21 pm

    #53 madeliefie:

    huh?

  • 58.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:21 pm

    #55 carol: Yes…. and he’ll celebrate with Tequila…. and with Takbokpis (Jeagermeister)

  • 59.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:23 pm

    Grrrrrrrrrr, converted penalty Lions……… grrrrrrrrrrr

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

    Ash scored a try – that is not bad for a slow winger. :grin:

  • 61.carol: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:27 pm

    #58 grootblousmile: Get your drinks chilled it may be you celebrating….Catch you later ;-) Must dash…..

  • 62.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:27 pm

    Ohhhhhhh farkkkkkkkk nogga try… Menz…

    See Karlien… my rugby logic argument works…

  • 63.yliad: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:30 pm

    So is this game being telecast somewhere ?

    Go Lions. neek daai grootkop bulletjies in hulle moere in.

  • 64.RedLion roars again: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:30 pm

    And Mentz also scoring a try. WOW not bad for a has-been winger :grin:

  • 65.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:30 pm

    #61 carol: Cheers, enjoy the evening.

  • 66.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:32 pm

    Oooooooooooo haha… Lions scores again……. eina pyne !

  • 67.yliad: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:33 pm

    Die jaar gaan al daai spanne wat afgeskryf is, die andere gunstellinge n ding of twee wys

    Lions, Cheetahs, Stormers moet net die ander twee grootkop baas spannetjies net ‘n ietsie wys

  • 68.RedLion roars again: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:33 pm

    Boys this is a new Lions team. The big difference between this team and last years team is the wingers. Last season those fools that Loffie employed on the wing squandered try after try after try. We left so many tries on the park I lost count.

    This year with our Bok wingers we will be scoring try after try after try. Mark my words.

  • 69.RedLion roars again: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:34 pm

    20-zip to the Mighty Lions.

    ROAR!

  • 70.yliad: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:35 pm

    20-0 after 23 min and counting

    whats the verdict or the excuse… B team playing the A team or what gives?

  • 71.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:36 pm

    #68 RedLion roars again: I hope the Lions pick it up this year…

    But this game is not a measure… Lions full strengh Super 14 team against Bulls B… none of this Bulls team should make the run-on Super 14 side

  • 72.KING JEEP: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:37 pm

    DIE LIONS SUCK

  • 73.alf: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:37 pm

    Wat ookal die telling gaan wees, vir die Bulle is die belangrikste om te sien hoe die volgende spelers vaar:
    - van den Heever
    - Francis
    - Hougaard
    - Chili
    - Dries van S

  • 74.yliad: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:38 pm

    Is this game being televised anywhere, are any of you seeing it live?

  • 75.KING JEEP: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:39 pm

    BULLS SAL N GEDUGTE SPAN WEES

  • 76.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:42 pm

    #75 KING JEEP: Janee…. maar nie met hierdie 15 nie…. hehehe

    Neewat, ek komkommer nie… dissie die Bulls Super 14 run-on span die nie… dissie ouens wat net-net die 30=man squad maak wat nou speel.

  • 77.RedLion roars again: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:42 pm

    #71 grootblousmile:

    Yes it is early days but for the boys to be 20 zip after only 20 min says alot about what the Lions are capable of doing against a full strenght Bulls outfit.

    Right now there are at least 6 Bulls first team players getting mentaly beaten by Loffie’s pride.

    The 6 damaged players.

    Marius Delport
    Pedrie Wannenburg
    Danie Rossouw
    Wilhelm Steenkamp
    Chiliboy Ralepelle
    Jaco Engels.

  • 78.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:43 pm

    Fokkkkkkkkk 27 / ZIP

  • 79.KING JEEP: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:43 pm

    SHARKS STOTMERS BULLS MY HOPE

  • 80.KING JEEP: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:45 pm

    1STE GAME LIONS CHEETAS GAN CLOSE WEES

  • 81.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:45 pm

    #77 RedLion roars again: Net Pedrie en dalk Chilli gaan span kry… Danie gaan oppie bench wees… en Marius Delport, Wilhelm en Jaco Engels gaan nie eers bench kry nie… watch maar !

  • 82.yliad: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:46 pm

    Bulls en Sharks gaan swaar kry die jaar, al in teenstelling van al die hype om hulle aangestelde kondisie.

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

    Nee jinne, nou jaag die Lions………

  • 84.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:46 pm

    #67 yliad: Lol, skoppie I had a good chuckle when you lumped the Stormers with the Lions and Cheetahs (the underdogs) and implied the Bulls and Sharks were “grootkoppe”.

    The biggest talk has been coming out of the Cape so far… as usual.

  • 85.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:48 pm

    And this is a fairly decent Bulls team…

  • 86.alf: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:49 pm

    Kyk, selfs ‘n tweede span van die Bulle mag nie so sleg verloor nie ;-)

    Kom, Ludeke, onthou die gesegde: “jy speel soos jy oefen!”

  • 87.KING JEEP: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:49 pm

    SOLANK DIE LIONS NET N PAAS AUS EN NZ SPANNE KAN HOU IS EK HAPPY

  • 88.yliad: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:49 pm

    Kyk julle die game live of nie?

    just watch both the Sharkie sharks and the nulletjies both choke big time this year

    27-0 wonder where Ludekak going to be hiding his head after this little fiasco.

  • 89.mbaxman93: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:50 pm

    hoping habs can inject some spark into the bulls squad

  • 90.KING JEEP: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:51 pm

    VIR DIE LIONS VOORSPM N STAP IN DIE REGTE RIGTINGEL DIE DAR

  • 91.yliad: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:51 pm

    34-0 Go Loffie show these brekers net wies baas oppie plaas die jaar ou man.

  • 92.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:52 pm

    Skoppie – Lol, watch the Stormers choke and finish out the running again… In fact it wouldn’t even be a surprise.

  • 93.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:52 pm

    #91 yliad: Last year you were calling Loffie a waste of oxygen, quota lilywhite coach… what’s changed?

  • 94.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:52 pm

    Goeie fokkkkkkk………..

    Wys jou net wat is die verskil in kwaliteit tussen die A-span.. en die B-span

    (A-span = Awake span ; B-span = Blinde span)

    Hehehe

  • 95.KING JEEP: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:53 pm

    WELL DONE LIONS EVEN TEEN N B SPAN LYK DIT BAIE GOED WAG NET VIR DIE KONINGS MORE

  • 96.RedLion roars again: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:53 pm

    #81 grootblousmile:

    You may be right. We wait and see what the A-team is and how they do in their warm up matches.

  • 97.KING JEEP: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:54 pm

    STORMERS GAAN WILD WEES

  • 98.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:55 pm

    #97 KING JEEP: why are you SHOUTING? Are you excited?

  • 99.KING JEEP: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:55 pm

    PROBLEEM IS AS LIONS 2 BESERRINGS KRY SUKKEL HULLE WEER

  • 100.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2009, 20:56 pm

    #96 RedLion roars again: Weren’t you a RedBull (formerly RedLion) last year? Jeez bro, like a yo-yo..

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