Force flatten lousy Lions
24 Apr 2009
The Force scored eight tries in totally outplaying the Lions 55-14 in Perth.
The hosts were on top form and recorded their biggest ever win in Super Rugby, but they were aided by a disappointing Lions outfit.
The Force raced to a 24-0 lead after half an hour as the visitors’ bodies were at Subiaco Oval but their minds and hearts were back in Jo’burg. Some of the defence was putrid and you must question the pride, or lack thereof, that some of the players have.
It also showed how inconsistent the Lions are, as they’re never able to produce a couple of decent performances on the bounce. Their supposed set-piece strength was also unapparent as the scrum and lineout faltered.
From the first whistle the Lions inexplicably didn’t challenge for the kick-off, the Force reclaimed possession and sent fullback Drew Mitchell over for a try after 57 seconds.
This movement showed the difference in individual skill between the sides as 18-year-old James O’Connor fed a great pass to Ryan Cross, who in turn flung a floating inside ball to Mitchell.
The Lions had a similar chance early on, but their control of the ball in contact was terrible. They did use their forward runners well as the Force didn’t enjoy the physical approach of having to tackle bigger men, but whenever they went wide the structured Force defence was too organised.
Conversely, the Lions were brittle out wide. The second Force try came as a result of Cross being allowed to offload in the tackle again, which put his team on the front foot. Matt Giteau didn’t need a second invite as he eased through a gaping hole to score under the posts.
The visitors’ desperation showed in the Force’s third try. Once more the outside channels were the avenue of attack for the hosts and when Scott Staniforth put in a kick, Ernst Joubert reverted to a blatant late tackle. The outcome was a penalty try, while to add further insult the captain was sent to the bin for the cynical offence.
The Lions didn’t have much possession but when they did it was scary to watch. Their breakdown cleanout was woeful, while with 14 men they surprisingly attempted to play a loose game but somehow managed to get away without further points scored against them when Joubert was off.
While the Force were exhibiting all their class, the skill level of the Lions was at times embarrassing as they repeatedly lost the ball in contact.
Jannie Boshoff did manage to score upon Joubert’s return after a direct first phase move off a scrum, but they then gifted the Force their bonus point before half-time. A poor kick was lapped up by Mitchell and Giteau broke down the touchline to send Cameron Shepherd over.
Trailing by 25 points, the Lions were again their own worst enemies in the second stanza. For the second week running a second player was yellow carded as sub Shandre Frolick infringed at the ruck.
Again a man down, the Lions opted to run from their own 22. This move typified how poor they were as reserve scrumhalf Chris Jonck’s pass hit his own player on the head, the Force regained possession and Shepherd claimed his second.
Sub AJ Whalley barged over and another piece of indiscipline handed the hosts yet another penalty try as they went over the half century mark for the first time in their history.
What will compound woes for the Lions could be the leg injury to Henno Mentz, who hobbled off in the first half. They will now limp back into South Africa to face the Crusaders with the aim of helping the Sharks and Bulls in their bid for the play-offs.
The return of Jaque Fourie and hopefully Baywatch Grobbelaar may aid them, but a more comprehensive all-round showing is necessary if they are to topple the champs.
By Grant Ball
373 Comments
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24 Apr 2009, 22:03 pm
#348 El Politico: ek f0kken vinnig ook.
24 Apr 2009, 22:04 pm
en die uitslag beteken nie Keohindu ken sy rugby nie.
24 Apr 2009, 22:08 pm
#350 Ed_the_Lion:
Is dit regtig alles sy skuld?
Miskien het hy net nie die spelers nie.
25 Apr 2009, 00:21 am
#339 chch: “By South African standards I must be considered a genius ….”
Umm, how can I put this nicely?
No. By SA standards you would qualify for governMENTAL aid.
“can i get a high paying job their?”
Their?
Maybe we can arrange for a sponsor so that you can attend classes in remedial English “heir”. Contact me. I’ll see what can be done.
25 Apr 2009, 03:51 am
#259 wing_14: unlike when we beat them at Newlands and wrapped up the 3Ns in the process…
25 Apr 2009, 03:59 am
#318 wing_14: a big generalisation there.. not all kiwis think its our divine right to win it, but then when you get other nations sending out a 2nd 15 in pool play, not really in the spirit of the tournament surely. This didnt help an already Graham Henry inspired underdone unit, and with France in our pool in 2011, think the team will be better prepared for the harder games that will follow…
coupled with our home record against all teams, going to make us hard to beat, though definitely not unbeatable.
25 Apr 2009, 04:34 am
#315 BlackPanther:
I’m guessing your boys have never won a game on a flat/forward pass or ever run obstruction?? Never ever tried to fake being hit in order to get a penalty or worse trying to get someone sent off (Ala Mr Fitzpatrick.) Get over it. You can’t fly with fake angel wings FFS
25 Apr 2009, 04:39 am
#246 WP Till I Die:
Where you drinking and sleeping dude? Dodgy I’d say
Local beer out of a bottle (a decent beer at a decent pub) is at least $7 and I would not put my head on any pillow if it cost me less than $150 a night. Horses for courses I guess??
25 Apr 2009, 06:28 am
What is the difference between the SA teams and the NZ/Oz teams? All three contries have quality players in their S14 squads. OK, there are injuries, but the standard of the replacement at this level of the game should not make THAT much difference. Is it the coaches? Sharks and Bulls seem to be doing quite well,(if you disregard the blip on the Sharks screen last week.)Stormers have a coach who is considered to be on the way to the top! So where’s the problem? Could it be heart’s and minds? If so, how can it be corrected? Individually our player are right up there with the best, there seem to be a problem in how they are utilised. We should stop and take a long hard look at our coaching methods and how we are asking the player to play the game. We have seen at national level, that captains call on the field can change a game, perhaps we need some flexibility in the S14 game?
25 Apr 2009, 07:15 am
Fire the entire board at Ellis park HQ and either get luyt back or get some boys in there who can actually get lions rugby back to the standard we are use to end of story.
25 Apr 2009, 09:14 am
#332 Fern:
Fern i notice that when you are taking the piss out of NZ you dont talk in English,i consider this as weak,are you weak?
Do you want to man up and talk in English instead of voicing your vile? Just a question
25 Apr 2009, 09:16 am
#359 Hurricane: do you mean “bile”? Or “vile bile”?
25 Apr 2009, 09:21 am
Its amazing that some South Africans in every thread have to bring up the RWC.Its great that you guys won it,it would have been better if NZ won it if you ask me,but its funny that when it comes to head to head between NZ and SA you guys are way behind.Tri nations is proof on who is the better team.You have a numner of cracks at each team so if you get the wooden spoon then you are not better than NZ or OZ and its been like that for over 3 years now.But of course you dont want to talk about that do you.You love to see other teams take care of NZ cos its a fact SA cant.
25 Apr 2009, 09:23 am
#360 Spooner:
Hmmm looks like a typo,i meant bile.
Thanks spooner
25 Apr 2009, 10:18 am
Lets balance the travel factor, why cant SARU detail the air miles that SA teams clock vs Oz and NZ ?
Mind you the Lions are particularly spinelss.
25 Apr 2009, 10:44 am
#361 Hurricane: Its a fact that SA cant when Aussie ref’s (your ANZAC brothers) are reffing. It seems that whenever we meet on reasonably neutral territory with actually neutral ref’s, we CAN.
25 Apr 2009, 10:49 am
#364 SjamBok: Does this seem like a cop out? Absolutely!! Does it seem like sour grapes? Definitely! Is it nevertheless the truth? Without doubt!
Aussie ref’s have been consistently ******* AWFUL, and generally biased whenever reffing a Super or 3N match between a Saffa side and a Kiwi side. SA sides in the past have got the wrong end of about 90% of supposedly 50/50 decisions.
Have you considered that this is doing you a disservice whenever you get to RWC? Because all of a sudden when the reffing is not pedantically for you, your heads drop!
25 Apr 2009, 10:54 am
#365 SjamBok: And another thing- I apologise for the fact that a lot of our brethren go on about the RWC – some of it juvenile, and some of it in response to taunting from some of your brethren. In the case of the latter it is borne out of frustration of knowing that your team starts 12 points behind to account for biased decisions to come. As you say, nobody reads the fine print in the history book that says “This ref should be shot”.
25 Apr 2009, 10:55 am
#361 Hurricane: Does this seem like a cop out? Absolutely!! Does it seem like sour grapes? Definitely! Is it nevertheless the truth? Without doubt!
Aussie ref’s have been consistently F#$^#$% AWFUL, and generally biased whenever reffing a Super or 3N match between a Saffa side and a Kiwi side. SA sides in the past have got the wrong end of about 90% of supposedly 50/50 decisions.
Have you considered that this is doing you a disservice whenever you get to RWC? Because all of a sudden when the reffing is not pedantically for you, your heads drop!
25 Apr 2009, 12:17 pm
Just like at these headings.What does it tell you
Hurricanes blow away Brumbies
The Hurricanes were in brilliant try-scoring form putting eight past the Brumbies in a 56-7 romp.
Force flatten lousy Lions
The Force scored eight tries in totally outplaying the Lions 55-14 in Perth.
similar scores ,both oppositions were equally poor but anyone
reading the blogs not having seen the games would
not say so.
25 Apr 2009, 12:21 pm
Sorry should read ‘just look at these headings’.The point I am trying
to make is that the blogwriters have a nasty habit of
belittling poor performances from local teams but are much kinder in their comments to Aussies and NZ teams.
25 Apr 2009, 12:34 pm
#367 Brentie1: #368 Brentie1:
Dont forget to throw in the Reds put a ROCKET right up the BLUES!!!
Yes I watched all the games this weekend and I have to say the headings have been SPOT ON THE MONEY.
The teams that have won this weekend have OUTPLAYED their opposition in all games. So Brentie1 mate on your postings today I have to ‘reluctantly’ give the award to the Keo ‘A Litterati’. <<< you can spell it anyway you like… PUN is inferred.
25 Apr 2009, 12:34 pm
STORMER… Well done.
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