Restoring the pride
4 Jan 2010
The Lions are the fallen giants of South African rugby, but CEO Manie Reyneke tells SA Rugby magazine that they will rise again under Dick Muir.
A photo of the triumphant 1999 Currie Cup winners greets you upon entering the Golden Lions Rugby Union offices. Jannes Labuschagne and Hannes Strydom and co lifting a trophy – the last time a Lions side managed to do so. Ten long years – an eternity in professional sport.
With Louis Luyt as president during the ’90s, the Lions were the dominant South African team. In a period from 1992-1994 under coach Kitch Christie they held virtually every title on offer – a pair of Currie Cups, three Lion Cups, two M-Net Night Series titles, and the Super 10 trophy in 1993.
How things have changed. Results in the past couple of years across all teams make for unpleasant reading. The Lions came last in the 2008 Super 14 and 12th in 2009, and while they made the Currie Cup semi-finals last year they finished sixth in 2009. Dig a little deeper, and the Vodacom Cup, U19 and U21 sides haven’t yielded any silverware either. The U19s reached the final this year, but were walloped 45-13 by Free State. The University of Johannesburg have failed to make the play-offs in the Varsity Cup for two years running, and the Craven Week side hasn’t produced. From the senior side to the schoolboys, the Lions are losers.
Lions CEO Manie Reyneke is always positive, but by late October he looked a jaded figure. More poor results, the departure of coaches Leon Boshoff and Loffie Eloff, and the Jaque Fourie contract saga will do that to you.
‘It’s a stressful job, there have been many problems that I’ve had to sort out over the past two years,’ says Reyneke.
Those problems in the union came to a head with the axing of Eloff after the Super 14. After his three-year plan had failed, Jake White’s Winning Way company was employed. The Lions didn’t make the Currie Cup play-offs, but their last match of the season against Western Province provided some hope.
Now Lions supporters will wait to see if this was yet another false dawn.
The third intervention in three years came when Dick Muir was appointed as director of coaching, which includes leading the Super 14 team. He says claiming that title is the goal by the end of his three-year contract.
How?
Various changes were implemented under White, but Muir has a different rugby philosophy. While White favours a structured, defence-orientated game (the Lions scored the sixth most tries in the Currie Cup but had the third best defensive record), Muir prefers a more expansive style.
‘We also had an expansive game plan during the Currie Cup,’ says Reyneke, ‘and we scored some good tries. I don’t think it will be such a major change.’
Reyneke stresses the involvement of Winning Way and the positive structures that were introduced in those five months – such as implementing player support systems – will not be wasted.
‘When we brought in Winning Way, we were really down and out. I would tell the coaching staff every Monday that the players were unconditioned, but we needed someone from the outside to do those tests and look at our structures. Jake brought value. He introduced many things to the union – not things we didn’t know, but things that needed to be changed. We need to be at the top again, so it was vital for this union to be cleaned out.
‘The structures were there, they were just never used properly, so we’ve reinforced them. We knew exactly what needed improvement and all those things are up and running. All we need to do is maintain them. I’ll make sure whoever is responsible for certain things does their job.’
Muir is going to be an extremely busy man, juggling not two jobs, but three. You would expect the director of coaching role to be an all-year-round job, but Muir will continue as Springbok assistant coach as well as the managing director of the International Rugby Academy in South Africa.
‘It’ll be quite easy for Dick,’ says Reyneke. ‘He’ll be Super 14 coach and director of coaching, and will look at all the structures at the union. He’ll make sure that the coaches who take the Vodacom, U21, U19 and Craven Week sides are competent. He was busy looking into all that before the Boks’ November tour. I’m confident he can manage it.’
Fellow Bok assistant Gary Gold had also worked with the Stormers, but is now set to focus solely on the national job, posing further questions around whether Muir will be able to negotiate all three roles. His former employers at the Sharks even lodged an official complaint to Saru, as they felt it would be a conflict of interest as he could entice players away from them to his current team. Muir denied this would be the case and stressed that he would manage to juggle all three jobs.
‘The Lions appointment is a natural extension of my other roles. I believe that the dual role – as the Springbok assistant coach and Lions Super 14 coach – will further enrich my position as the facilitator of the academy.’
Muir was selected ahead of 16 other applicants from across the world, beating off the challenge of his nearest competitor, Heyneke Meyer. Meyer was viewed by many as the ideal candidate to do a similar job at the Lions to what he’d done with the Bulls at Loftus – making them the all-conquering union they are today. However, he wanted an entourage of support staff.
‘The main reason we didn’t want Heyneke was because he wanted to bring a complete new structure,’ says Reyneke. ‘He wanted different personnel in a package deal of himself and seven other people. With Winning Way we evaluated our staff and there are competent people here.’
While Reyneke stresses that the structures are in place to return to the glory days of the early-90s, the main ingredient missing is quality internationals. The Lions’ only Bok of 2009, Fourie, has left, making them the only big-five union without a regular Test player. The Lions have haemorrhaged talent, but both Reyneke and Muir believe another rebuilding job is not impossible. Most of the recruiting was done in the months prior to Muir’s appointment, but Reyneke isn’t concerned.
‘Yes, a coach does make a difference in terms of who will be recruited – he does favour certain players before others – and Dick looked at all the lists. He gave input and we took his advice. There is a committee that does recruitment, where we evaluate each and every player, so it’s not just individuals’ choices. We have sent offers to overseas players, although we’re limited in the number of foreigners we can recruit, but there are also excellent South Africans in Europe.
‘The fact is there are not many Boks around who don’t have contracts. But players follow coaches, and although it won’t have an immediate effect as we are one of those unions that honour contracts, there will be players coming our way. We’ll strengthen our side and become a force.
‘We also have an abundance of young talent in this country and we’re doing many of our players an injustice by contracting them and not giving them game time.’
Another challenge facing the Lions is the pitiful crowd attendances at Ellis Park due poor results and safety concerns. Some have suggested relocating to a ground outside the Jo’burg CBD, but Reyneke believes the ailing Lions brand will only get a much-needed injection once the team starts producing.
‘You must remember this is a cosmopolitan area, it’s not as easy for us to have the same homely atmosphere as the Sharks or Bulls. There are many Stormers supporters staying in Jo’burg making their money here, and the same goes for the other teams’ fans.
‘We have excellent projects; we’re the only union in the country that gives all U7 to U18 registered rugby players in the province free season tickets. There are many good projects on the go, but once we start winning, it will change overnight.
‘The fact is I could spend R20 million on marketing and it would all be wasted if we don’t start winning on the field. Winning is marketing.’
By Grant Ball
– This article first appeared in the December issue of SA Rugby magazine. The Jan-Feb issue is on sale now.
231 Comments
4 Jan 2010, 09:41 am
Heyneke DRAGON Meyer would have been fantastic for the Lions, pitty.
4 Jan 2010, 10:03 am
tough times ahead for Lions…cant see them getting anywhere
4 Jan 2010, 10:32 am
1. Van Der Merwe
2. Van Dyk
3. Buys
4. Labuschagne
5. Lombaard
6. Grobelaar
7. Van Der Merwe
8. Mokuena
9. Vermaak
10. Francis
11. Mentz
12. La Grange
13. Van Rensburg
14. Chavhanga
15. Hollenbach
16. Van Rensburg
17. Shimange
18. Sephaka
19. Luus
20. Earle
21. Van Deventer
22. Minnie
23. Clever
24. Joubert
25. Kruger
26. Jackson
27. Venter
28. Delport
29. Noble
30. Rose
31. Swart
32. Harwood
33. Muller
34. Geldenhuys
35. Mockford
36. Snyman
37. Moore
38. Kruger
39. Whitely
40. Jonck
41. Siegelaar
42. Snyman (or is Boshoff the name of the young 10?)
43. Boshoff
44. St. Jerry
45. Pekeur
46. Killian
47. Lewis
A smattering of decent players but not too much to speak of.
4 Jan 2010, 10:38 am
Director of coaching? If it weren’t so tragic I’d be laughing. Muir is a clown, the last thing the Lions need. They also should never have let Eloff go. More blunders that resulted in players leaving. The Union is one big screw up. Very sad. Hopefully things will turn around for them sooner rather than later.
4 Jan 2010, 10:40 am
In 1995 – 1998 none of the above players would even make the Lions C team …… exept maybe for : Heinke (fit) & Vermaak
4 Jan 2010, 10:41 am
2 words ….. Louis Luyt
4 Jan 2010, 10:43 am
Lets talk again after the S14
4 Jan 2010, 10:45 am
2010 could be the last year that the Lions play Super Rugby
4 Jan 2010, 10:49 am
yeah the Lions peaked in 95 by winning the RWC.
4 Jan 2010, 10:58 am
@RedLion:
4 Jan 2010, 11:02 am
@puff: how can u put Rose at 30 you plonker
should be starting at 15 and slot at 10 at times, during this season
4 Jan 2010, 11:10 am
I’d put Rose @ 100 ….
4 Jan 2010, 11:13 am
Why are you people discussing the Lions when there’s cricket on.
4 Jan 2010, 11:22 am
why you posting old stories?
4 Jan 2010, 11:40 am
@Blogger: then u clearly dont know much abt rygby
EOS
4 Jan 2010, 11:44 am
Papoose …and clearly you must be Earl himself or his father…cause not even his own family member’s will talk him up. He is k@k ….. a 2nd Jorrie Muller and he proved that in the 2009 CC. EOS
4 Jan 2010, 11:54 am
‘fallen giants’
bwahahahahaha
The Lions were NEVER giants!!!
4 Jan 2010, 12:24 pm
Trip to Ellisprk, GPS voice in car: Take Harrow rd offramp and continue for 2km. Precaution possible hijackers in bushes. At Rockey str crossing, duck for flying bullets due to drug war. Continue down Harrow, Ponte tower on your right, watch out for flying faeces as residents take a dump out their flat windows.
4 Jan 2010, 12:29 pm
Transvaal will rise again
4 Jan 2010, 12:31 pm
@RedLion:
soo true
4 Jan 2010, 12:32 pm
@greatest13gerber: Let’s hope not.
4 Jan 2010, 12:42 pm
This is extremely difficult for Manie and the Lions. If you fall behind in the pro era of rugby it is damn difficult to catch up and the Lions have fallen behind quite a bit.
I still maintain that in the way changes were brought about, ie. the way in which Loffie was fired and the bad blood between Fourie and the union suggests there is a lot more wrong than what Manie seems to suggest here.
Muir will need to clean house, force an approach of professionalism unlike any this union has seen and just maybe, he can change things around.
If I was Muir, I would also invest heavily in local clubs and players and concentrate a hell of a lot on my youth structures.
The Lions need to find an identity and culture and do it very soon.
I do not know if **** has the type of personality for this though…
He invested heavily in the Sharks youths and unkowns at the time when he started there, some of them went on to become Boks…
But this will be much tougher than the Sharks.
4 Jan 2010, 12:44 pm
@greatest13gerber:
I thought it was Gauteng now G13G?
Do you not move with the Times?
4 Jan 2010, 12:49 pm
Here’s a question.
If Muir fails this year with the Lions and the Springboks play below par because of general fatigue, will Muir’s Springbok job be in jeopardy?
Will he be the scapegoat?
4 Jan 2010, 12:57 pm
there is no time to concentrate on youth structures & k@k ….
4 Jan 2010, 12:59 pm
Happy New year to everyone from a cold and frosty Holland and congrats to Rangerman the Daddyman.
@puff: And if Muir succeeds at the Lions but the Springboks fail to fire who will get the chop from the Bok coaching line-up if anyone?
4 Jan 2010, 13:00 pm
@greatest13gerber:
Hoesit ou ding.
4 Jan 2010, 13:06 pm
@PissAnt: PA the Lions weren’t that far away from getting it together last year. They showed some really encouraging signs on the field and as far as I understood it was the organisation and structures behind the scene that let them down.
With a couple of enhancements to the squad **** could possibly get them winning a few and buy himself some time to concentrate on the development of the structures. Once the ball gets rolling it can pick up momentum quickly if you have the support of administration and sponsors.
I think they may be onto something good here, the Lions that is.
4 Jan 2010, 13:10 pm
@bananaboy:
My point is I feel Muir has opened himself up to being vulnerable by placing so much on his plate.
You’ve got to hand it to the guy – he seems to have balls.
4 Jan 2010, 13:10 pm
Most of the changes at the GLRU has happened within the union. Problem is that the Lions don’t get a lot of press time and publicity compared to the other big unions.
The only people that truly know what has happened are those lucky few close to the inside. As a commited and hardened Lions supporter – I am more than happy of what has happened and what is still happening.
Yes, looking at the squad, there are a few real good players with great talent and a bright future – and then those that other union’s supporters don’t know much about.
But all with talent and bright futures. Gone is the deadwood.
All of today’s superstars was at a time and unknown and a good player. And this will happen again.
Predict a 6th spot in Super 14, ahead of Stormers and Cheetahs. Vodacom cup champs and either a CC final or Champions.
Ons is weer besig om op te staan.
4 Jan 2010, 13:16 pm
I unfortunatly believe Muir is the wrong man for the job .. it is a full time possition that Muir sould have started already last year, but was with the Boks.
The Lions messed up by not getting H Meyer into the union .. the Lions will cry, and the Bulls will sing and dance for a long time still because of this stupidity.
Another 3 long years await us.
4 Jan 2010, 13:26 pm
@Paws:
It took Muir one season to get the Sharks to the top. It took Meyer 4 seasons with the Bulls.
4 Jan 2010, 13:30 pm
@WilladieLeeu:
Which trophy cabinet would you rather have in the last 10 years .. the Bulls, or Sharks?
The Lions could have had Meyer, the complete article doing duty 100% of the times at the Lions .. now they have Muir 5o% of the time.
Bad choice if you ask me.
4 Jan 2010, 13:35 pm
@Paws:
I agree, to get this right will take time, forget about instant success.
The measure must be the Super 14 and business end of the CC, and the Lions will fall short in my view.
4 Jan 2010, 13:36 pm
@Paws:
Paws, I hear what you say.
I just believe that the type of game that Meyer plays is one dimensional and I don’t think that it would have suited the Lions. We don’t have a dominating line-out and we definitely don’t have a Morne Steyn.
The brand we play and have always played is enterprising running rugby, and that suits ****’s type of ideas. We scored some brilliant tries in the last couple of season, but our defence was herrefic.
**** will take the running game up a notch and we will be one of the most physical sides in the tackle. Don’t forget Ackerman’s involvement as well as Henning Gericke and Sherylle Calder. Both on our payroll.
Our coaching staff is brilliant:
**** Muir
Johan Ackerman
Hans Coetzee
Henning Gericke
Sherylle Calder
That’s not too bad at all. But I respect your opinion, and only time will tell. For both our sakes I hope I’m right.
4 Jan 2010, 13:43 pm
Firstly may I wish all posters – local and foreign, Keo staffers, rugby supporters, players and administrators…
…a Storming 2010!!!
@WilladieLeeu:
“Problem is that the Lions don’t get a lot of press time and publicity compared to the other big unions.”
With the head-offices of the Sunday Times, MNet, SABC, The Star and a hoste of other media companies based in Gauteng… the problem is not that the Lions don’t get a lot of press time… no one ‘gets’ anything… The REAL problem is that the Lions don’t put out any media releases and that can only be the fault of the Lions Union. They keep their info among “those lucky few close to the inside”. They need to cultivate relationships with the media companies and rugby journos and put out positive PR and then they will rack up the column/centimetres and sound bites…
4 Jan 2010, 13:47 pm
Note to Manie Reyneke
From the Lions Financial Manager
Subject: R20 million on Marketing – Ahem
Have you lost your f&*$îng your mind?
We have no money and only enough to see us through till end January 2010 and then we are right royally rogered in the old poop shute because you have no plan to raise any cash and only 5,000 supporters pitch up on a good day.
If we lose 3 matches in a row that will drop to a gate attendance of 1,500 and we will have to play in the day as there will be no money to switch the lights on.
What are you going to do about it and do not look to **** Muir, as he is spending the cash on players.
I feel sick.
4 Jan 2010, 13:55 pm
@WilladieLeeu:
I hope so too …
4 Jan 2010, 13:59 pm
@ufo:
True and I had a chat about that with Manie, and it is going to change.
But what I’m saying is that every union has a reporter that “represents” them. JJ Harmse and MMorris Gilbert for the Bulls. Hennie Brandt for the Cheetahs etc etc.
The Lions don’t have that. The Star is one of the sponsors of the Lions, but you don’t see them setting up an interview with **** Muir or chatting to some of the players like the Beeld does with the Bulls and so on.
The only press the Lions get is usually negative. For example the contractual issue, none of the papers have made the effort to find out exaclty what happend. Thus everybody still under the impression that the Lions don’t know how to set-up contracts and were idiots and so on. Which is entirely not the case.
4 Jan 2010, 14:06 pm
@WilladieLeeu:
Liam del Carme
4 Jan 2010, 14:07 pm
@WilladieLeeu:
I hope for your and the LIon’s sake WIlla that it does…
but the fact is it shouldn’t be The Star setting up an interview with ****. It should be the PR person (if there is one) of the Lions setting up the interview with The Star!
Sounds like they need a PR person – or a new PR person… They don’t have to spend R20-mil… just cultivate those relationships… schmooze The Star (Sunday Times/MNet/SABC)rugby/sports/community desk journos… and ‘tame’ some of them so that they do have a few ‘domesticated’ media people ‘on-side’…
4 Jan 2010, 14:10 pm
@PissAnt:
And they HAD the JWWW/Keo crew in their pockets…
4 Jan 2010, 14:16 pm
@PissAnt:
Well, he’s then not doing his bloody job. :lo:
@ufo:
We do have a PR person. But IMO not up to it. a Real sweet girl, but doesn’t have the knowledge or experience to do the job properly.
Biggest problem is that there is a misconception that there are no Lions supporter around anymore. Yes, the stands are empty, but once we start winning, Ellispark will be packed to the rafters.
4 Jan 2010, 14:25 pm
@WilladieLeeu:
well then you do need a new PR person.
sure… the stadium will be packed to the rafters when you win… but you want the it packed to the rafters even when you don’t win…
that’s when the PR and buy-in from supporters really shows…
4 Jan 2010, 14:28 pm
@Alucard:
Loffie achieved nothing. The Lions need Meyer, not Muir
4 Jan 2010, 14:29 pm
@ufo:
What happens at Kingspark and Loftus when they start losing? The stands gets emptier and emptier.
2008 after thos couple of losses, the Bulls had their lowest attendance in recent years. No matter how you try, when you lose, supporters will stay away.
Unfortunately just how it goes.
4 Jan 2010, 14:42 pm
@WilladieLeeu:
true Willa… but there is more to it than that…
hate to bring it up… but… Newlands bucks that trend… why?
there is buy-in from fans down here like there is in few other rugby (or sport) unions around the world…
I know it’s anathema to you guys… but the Lion’s (and other unions) should be looking at why and how Province manages to attract their supporters through good and (now mostly) bad times… year after year…
500 000 fans went to Newlands last year… five hundred thousand…!! That’s a farking lot of fans going back to every game…
I know all you other supporters like ragging us WP ouens… but there must be something right down here… your unions should take note…
4 Jan 2010, 14:43 pm
@WilladieLeeu:
Kingspark had 20 000 empty seats for the CC semi-final…!! So it’s not just about winning or losing…
It’s about the Unions doing the PR and getting the supporters into the stadiums…
4 Jan 2010, 15:06 pm
@Blogger: dude tht joke is so old and so lame cos i’ve criticized him as a player as well and used thet same joke on his fans
however every1 from naas, Bob, darren, Wiese said one of the few players, there weren’t many,player who redeemed himself and selection for dirt trackers was earl rose.
they also mentioned haergreaves
u obviously didn’t watch the dirt tracker matches and shows how much of a bok supporter u really are
cut the **** and go blog on the soccer sites
4 Jan 2010, 15:12 pm
@WilladieLeeu:
Willa boytjie.
You are a true champion for your team and you have to be admired for trying to defend them! Clap Clap Clap Clap.
Forget the PR chick in hot pants.
She is not the cancer at the Lions it is the CEO. It goes back to Dr. Jannie Ferreira who gave this to Reyneke after Andy Turner ran out the door. These okes are in denial.
Have you any idea how deep the dung is at the Lions den?
You seem to hang around there, so get the financials for last year and the budget for next and let’s see. Wys vir ons.
There is no quarterly, annual or 3 year plan.
These Lions might be scrawny but do they know how to hunt?
Had **** Muir asked to see the financials before signing on he would have had a moerse accident in his pants!
4 Jan 2010, 15:23 pm
@Papoose: @blogger
i still maintain he needs to put on at least another 10kg to reach his full potential
4 Jan 2010, 15:31 pm
Umlungu read the article. Manie said: IF I HAD R20 MILLION for a marketing budget.
4 Jan 2010, 15:37 pm
Papoes since when is Darren a rugby genie? … Boks played k@k in the warm up games, We played Tigers C team … Earl did nothing wrong, but also did nothing spectacular.
4 Jan 2010, 15:48 pm
@lion4ever:
Another champion 4 the Lions
They will continue to lose with a loser at the head of admin
More of the same old same old and that is a pity
4 Jan 2010, 15:57 pm
@Umlungu: You are the loser Umlungu. Who do you support in the S14? The queensland reds???? Go blog on a soccer website if all you can do is talk ****.
4 Jan 2010, 16:28 pm
@cane:
Cane my old friend.
Transvaal will alwaya be Transvaal to me. My heart says soo.
As to the current state of the side. As has being repeated here already. What matters most is the scoreline. What brings people in is scoreline. What brings star players is scoreline. what builds dynasties is teh scoreline. What brings headlines is scoreline.
to see Johan Ackerman(NTvl) in coach setup is major plus. **** Muir is a good coach. Heinkie vd Merwe must be praised for staying loyal during hardtimes.
Transvaal are going through bad patch similer to NTvl did in mid 90s. They will rise again. As will OP!!
4 Jan 2010, 17:07 pm
@greatest13gerber: The Transvaal doesn’t exist any more. Neither does Northern Transvaal. Gerber was, if the greatest anything, then the greatest douche in SA sporting history. Eastern Province will not rise again. **** Muir is a mug.
I am flabbergasted by how universally wrong you are.
4 Jan 2010, 17:31 pm
Twig,
4 Jan 2010, 18:11 pm
I still cannot believe that they didn’t hire Heyneke Meyer just because he wanted his own support staff. Didn’t they plan for this possibility?
It is their refusal to be professional, and their willingness to settle for second best, that is causing all their problems.
4 Jan 2010, 19:33 pm
The main reason for the lions being a poor team is simply the majority of players the lions have are currie cup standard,and not super14 or bok standard.You cannot play at super14 level with currie cup level players,it just does no work out.The bulls are living proof of that,when HMtook over for the first time as super12 coach the players were of such a poor standard they lost every log game.I remember those dark days at loftus,we had players who would just about make a vodacom cup team playing super12 and we were getting whacked.Who remembers jaco espag at prop he was good enough for eastern transvaal but to play for the bulls at super12 level no f#####g way,and we had a team full of jaco espags so the only way for the lions to improve is to improve their standard of player just like hm did for the bulls and we all know how the bulls turned out.
4 Jan 2010, 19:52 pm
Not taking anything away from Muir as a damn good coach but Lions should have chosen Meyer over Muir even if Meyer arrived with a bunch of support staff.
4 Jan 2010, 20:04 pm
heyneke blah blah blah.
muir had two seasons with the sharks and took us to the s14 final which the bulls CHEATED us out of.
i am not bitter but heyneke was 1 minute away from being an almost ran after what? 6 years?
muir has also been involved in probably one of the most successful seasons for the boks since….well, ever.
heyneke is a good coach, make no mistake, but the fawning and blue bulls bs about muir being a kak one is just that, kak.
lets see how the lions do but i suspect their problems run far deeper than coaching.
4 Jan 2010, 20:04 pm
@byoboy:
Muir must not be underrated.
@blueboy:
The same goes for the overrated Cheetahs. Currie Cup heroes but Super 14 chumps.
4 Jan 2010, 20:10 pm
@greatest13gerber:
Ja nee, die Ou Transvaal. Aaaaahhhh for the good old days when we lived like civilised human beings and everyone had their place.
Now we are governed by a corrupt bigamist that sleeps with an HIV woman, has five wives and shoots slingshots at birds in front of the media. Vorster is turning in his grave.
4 Jan 2010, 20:14 pm
@rangerman: aye
4 Jan 2010, 20:14 pm
@Predawn: Time to get back in your cage and eat a banana.
4 Jan 2010, 20:16 pm
saw Habana and J Fourie training with the Stormers today…..A Coetsee reckons the squad well balanced and ready to make an assault on the title…..
Personally feel we a quality prop and 1O away from the real deal.
4 Jan 2010, 20:17 pm
@grant10: Hello boet.
4 Jan 2010, 20:19 pm
On the Muir issue i probably would also have gone with H Meyer….no doubt Muir knows what he is up to….but the focus may be found wanting.
And Lions need some quality in that squad.
1st game at home to Stormers…i am kakking myself already….we always sukkel at Ellis Park.
4 Jan 2010, 20:21 pm
@SodaJoe: hullo young man…brilliant day in Cape Town today….going to the cricket on wed….worked again today….beaches full…Brazilian ladies have not returned though.
4 Jan 2010, 20:25 pm
@rangerman: I dono if your comments were directed at my para, I’m not saying Muir is kak, just think he’s got a lot on his plate and Meyer would have been better suited to the job.
4 Jan 2010, 20:27 pm
@Predawn: hence my qualified statement..”not taking anything away from Muir as a damn good coach”. He’s got a lot on his plate will he really be able to give 100% to the Lions?
4 Jan 2010, 20:28 pm
@byoboy: i agree with those sentiments….to me a D O R is a 24….7 type job….hence rassies new position….cant be easy to run 3 x roles ….no matter what Muir says….something suffers….
4 Jan 2010, 20:29 pm
@Umlungu:
The Lions are still the only union that owns their own union 100%. All other unions have shareholders. Sharks and Cheetahs = Supersport. Bulls and WP = Sale.
The GLRU owns Ellispark stadium 100%.
The only thing that the GLRU shares is Ellispark World of Sport. The company running the stadium. That is shared between the GLRU(49%), INZA(30%)and Pirates(21%).
But the rest the GLRU owns 100%. Now, you tell me. A Union doing that, do they have money problems? The GLRU offered BOD 5.7 million rand for one season. Do you think that a union with financial problems can do that? Unfortunately he couldn’t get out of his current contract.
The financials people see in the red, is that of Ellispark world of Sport included due to the GLRU owning 49% of that company.
Independantly, the GLRU is doing rather well financially. They’re now in the process of selling to shareholders for an ownership of 49%. A HUGE financial injection.
No money problems there mate.
4 Jan 2010, 20:30 pm
@WilladieLeeu: hi there.
Any news on the player recruitment front Willa
4 Jan 2010, 20:32 pm
Belated greetings from RIP Van JimT.
2010??? What? When did that happen? You turn your head away for a minute & they change the year. I’ve been signing my cheques 2008.
And what’s all this cricket about? It’s winter people & it’s -3 C. Who plays cricket in these temperatures?
I think I’ve entered a time warp, help me someone.
4 Jan 2010, 20:37 pm
@grant10:
Hey Grant. Happy new year to you and good luck to your side for 2010. Nervous as hell already for that game on the 13th Feb.
There might be 2-3 players still joining us from tomorrow on when the squad re-assembles. No names as yet.
But some high profile players interested in joining the Lions. Problem is that all those players are contracted till end of 2010.
4 Jan 2010, 20:41 pm
@WilladieLeeu: yeah….i am scared of that Lions side….they will try and outmuscle us and with Muir there perhaps the backs may have a go too….all the best for 2010 Willa….do hope your Lions have a cool season….a lot may depend for bth our teams on that 1 st game….confidence is crucial.
4 Jan 2010, 20:42 pm
Willa…Jim…happy 2010…sorry…manners gone for a while there.
4 Jan 2010, 20:44 pm
@grant10:
Yeah, we need to win. Being a home game. We then play the Chiefs after that at home and head o/seas. Tough draw.
Well one thing is for certain. Fitness won’t be an excuse. The guys are between 70-80% fitter and stronger compared to last season the same time.
Ackerman has been drilling the guys. Scary how big some of them are.
4 Jan 2010, 20:46 pm
@WilladieLeeu: Howzit Willa. Happy New Year boet.
Seriously, I think that we are in for a tough year, if not a kak year. We are pretty much rebuilding the whole squad from scratch, and I’ve seen nothing exciting at all, nada.
We are going to have to give **** this year as a mulligan if you ask me.
But hey, we live in hope.
Not sure what your source of optimism is, but my cup is pretty empty.
4 Jan 2010, 20:46 pm
@WilladieLeeu: Ja….Stormers also back today….Habana and J Fouries first session with the okes…
Stormers seem a prop and a 10 away from a real contender….but there is a quiet confidence here in Cape Town…..
4 Jan 2010, 20:47 pm
@WilladieLeeu: Give me your starting S14 22. Maybe you know something I don’t (which would not be unusual).
4 Jan 2010, 20:47 pm
@JimT: Howzit Jimbo.
4 Jan 2010, 20:48 pm
Willa…please tell me that Heinke is going back to loosehead!!?
4 Jan 2010, 20:49 pm
@grant10: 69. Bugger it, that sounds great. Are you going to be at the cricket at all?
4 Jan 2010, 20:50 pm
Hi Grant & Soda Joe, happy new whatever.
You guys getting ready for the new rugga season?
Took my boys out for their first run out this year. A bit chilly at 0C though.
4 Jan 2010, 20:50 pm
@SodaJoe:
To you too Soda.
I’ve been speaking to some of the players and management. The guys are fit, strong and the preperation has been hugely proffesional.
I’m not saying we’ll win or even make a semi, but the bottom four will def not happen. And the matchday 22 we can put on the pitch is not gonna be a bad one at all.
We’ll def be more competetive already.
4 Jan 2010, 20:52 pm
@JimT: Jimbo, I am dreaming of 0C. Geez it’s been cold, beyond freeze the balls off a brass ******.
Good luck this year with your teams. My son is in serious training – running, weights. At least he won’t get injured easily. Unfortunately he is only in his second year of teh game, but he does love it, but I wish he started earlier.
4 Jan 2010, 20:53 pm
@SodaJoe: Soda I hate to ask you what your temperatures are today. Pretty much the same as Atlanta I suppose, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
When does your son start to play rugby again?
4 Jan 2010, 20:53 pm
@WilladieLeeu: Obviously being fit will help, but we need some talent too.
4 Jan 2010, 20:55 pm
@SodaJoe:
Ya, rumour is that John is going back to hooker, this means the experiment with Heinke is over. He’ll go back to LH with monster Buys at TH.
1 Heinke
2 Shimmie (He’ll make it)
3 Kevin Buys
4 Wouter Moore
5 Jannes Labuschagne
6 Bizkit van Deventer
7 Franco vd Merwe
8 Mokuena (C)
9 Jano
10 Ruan Boshoff
11 Johan Jackson
12 Walter Venter
13 Alwyn Hollenbach
14 Chavanga
15 Earl Lewis
16 Sephaka
17 van Dyk
18 Lombaard
19 Minnie
20 Chris Jonck
21 Earl Rose
22 Dusty Noble
My personal 22 choice.
4 Jan 2010, 20:56 pm
@JimT: They will get in to the gym in about Feb only. Then games in April I think.
This morning was -11F/-24C. Madness.
4 Jan 2010, 20:56 pm
soda,
as a lifelong man u supporter, i have to say i was desperately disappointed with losing in the 3rd round of the fa cup.
however, would rather lose to a resurgent leeds than a shonky arsenal or chelsea.
well done to your team and good luck against spurs.
4 Jan 2010, 20:57 pm
@SodaJoe: i will be at cricket for the 4 th day….with justrugby and our 2 daughters….both 13.
My birthday wed so its the cricket and then the blonde taking me to dinner….so thats cool…
4 Jan 2010, 20:57 pm
@SodaJoe:
We do.
And all will realise it this season.
Even Muir himself said that he’s surprised with the players. He said that by the end of the season, there will be at least 4 Springboks coming from the Lions.
4 Jan 2010, 20:58 pm
@JimT: cant wait for the rugby Jim….really miss it desperately.
4 Jan 2010, 20:58 pm
@WilladieLeeu:
1 Heinke
2 Van Dyk
3 Kevin Buys
4 Wouter Moore
5 Jannes Labuschagne
6 Bizkit van Deventer
7 Franco vd Merwe
8 Mokuena (C)
9 Jano
10 Dusty Noble
11 Johan Jackson
12 Walter Venter
13 Alwyn Hollenbach
14 Chavanga
15 Earl Lewis
16 Sephaka
17 Shimmie
18 Lombaard
19 Minnie
20 Chris Jonck
21 Earl Rose
22 Boshoff
4 Jan 2010, 21:01 pm
@SodaJoe:
Dusty at 10 is probably a mistake?
4 Jan 2010, 21:01 pm
@charo: Miss Ghana 2009. Merci beaucoup.
All I want is to get in to The Championship. Then get in to the Premiership.
But to be the Red Rose is always always great.
Happy New Year, hope the equatorial adventures pay off.
4 Jan 2010, 21:01 pm
my m,ate in Durbs also told me that Smit is back at 2….great for Heinke and Buys….that front row wont stand back…..persistent rumours that the lions are still after Carl Hayman Willa.
4 Jan 2010, 21:02 pm
@WilladieLeeu: Nah I like him. With Jano’s service I think he can be really good. Much better than Earl Rose. And far better than Poepstring Pretorius in the last few years.
4 Jan 2010, 21:03 pm
@charo: happy new year Charo….my sentiments about Leeds as well…great for them , if we have to lose…rather to the Mighty Leeds…
4 Jan 2010, 21:04 pm
@WilladieLeeu: Ag boet. 4 Boks. Look at the line up. Heinke, Jano & ?
Tell you want a fit Sephaka will also be a shock to many.
Shimmie is rubbish, always was.
Chavanga is a Spaghetti Western, all spindly legs and no ability.
4 Jan 2010, 21:05 pm
@grant10: Keep that you yourself or you will be banned or made to support Man City.
4 Jan 2010, 21:05 pm
@grant10:
a Couple of o/seas players who have recieved offers. Waiting for agents to respond. But not holding my breath for this season.
4 Jan 2010, 21:06 pm
@charo: By the way – I would fancy our chances against Spurs.
4 Jan 2010, 21:06 pm
As long as the Lions beat the Stormers I will be happy. Very unproffesional unit the stormers.
4 Jan 2010, 21:07 pm
@grant10: I guess your President will not miss rugby. He’s too busy with 3 wives plus a fiancee. He’s a glutton for punishment, heh, heh
4 Jan 2010, 21:07 pm
@WilladieLeeu: And **** better not get any ideas on his play everyone in the wrong position like he did at the Sharks.
4 Jan 2010, 21:08 pm
Hey Soda did I see that your Leeds beat Man Utd or did I imagine that?
4 Jan 2010, 21:08 pm
@SodaJoe:
Heinke
Buys
Franco
Mokuena
Jano
Walla
Hollenbach
Watch those guys Soda. Your gonna be surprised.
4 Jan 2010, 21:08 pm
@WilladieLeeu: i see Manie also mentions Saffas plying there trades overseas….really hope a t least 2 or 3 quality sighnings are announced…personally would love to see a powerful Lions and Stormers teams to give the Bulls and Sharks a run for there money for a change…..
4 Jan 2010, 21:08 pm
@JimT: what president. SA has no such thing.
4 Jan 2010, 21:08 pm
@Pietman: The real Pietman can spell.
4 Jan 2010, 21:09 pm
@JimT: Zuma a glutton for punishment i tell you…..
Mercy!!
4 Jan 2010, 21:09 pm
@JimT: Mighty Whites. Marching On Together. Yeah baby.
4 Jan 2010, 21:10 pm
@SodaJoe:
It worked for them.
Two seasons. a Semi and a Final.
But agree, specialists. That’s what you need.
4 Jan 2010, 21:11 pm
Heavens, it looks like the ‘Night Owls’ are emerging once again!
4 Jan 2010, 21:11 pm
@WilladieLeeu: I hope so. Buys looked exceptional. Scary strong, scary big. If he’s fit he can make the Bok team for sure. Easily actually.
Mokuena – maybe. Good player.
Franco – I like a lot but stretching it for Boks.
The other guys I don’t know in all honesty.
4 Jan 2010, 21:11 pm
@grant10:
Wikus is coming back, and likely Wepener as well. That’s already two.
4 Jan 2010, 21:11 pm
@SodaJoe: Your guys showed ‘Sir Alex’…..!! Heheheheh
4 Jan 2010, 21:13 pm
@grant10: We had our own case of madness down here today. Someone hung, with a noose, an effigy of Obama in Jimmy Carter’s home town of Plains, Georgia.
Some people need to get a life & adjust to the 21st century.
4 Jan 2010, 21:13 pm
@SodaJoe:
All SUPERSTARS were unknowns.
When Matfield, Bakkies, FDP and Habana started out. No-one rated them.
New generation of Superstars in the making.
4 Jan 2010, 21:14 pm
@carol: Hello Karlien. How is our friend GBS doing?
4 Jan 2010, 21:14 pm
@SodaJoe: FA Cup final in the offing?
4 Jan 2010, 21:15 pm
@WilladieLeeu: thats great news….and i agree about specialists….thats my 1 wish for 2010….that we stop the player out of position nonsense.
4 Jan 2010, 21:15 pm
@grant10: I am sick & tired of SA teams filling up the basement in S14. It’s time that every team was in the top half. We have enough talent, although when you look at the Lions squad, and the performance of the Boks at the end of the year, you wonder how deep our talent pool actually is.
4 Jan 2010, 21:16 pm
I must be getting old. Look at the numbers my friends. Except for one period of huge success paid for [during the amateur era] by Louis Luyt, Transvaal were always competent battlers. Running, unpredictable and not intimidated by anyone locally or abroad for good reason.
Much like Free State.
The days of Jannie Breedt, John Robbie, Charles Pieterse and Wahl Bartmann set up the base that Francois Pienaar and others rode the wave on.
A famous player from the 1950′s, my ex coach ‘donated’ his Transvaal blazer to his gardener in disgust during the Okkie Oosthuizen days, when the old Vaal could’nt win for love or money.
4 Jan 2010, 21:16 pm
@JimT: i like Obama….just think the realities of the job are coming home to roost.
4 Jan 2010, 21:16 pm
joe and grant,
happy new year to you both as well.
currently back in sa enjoying a change in climate (a bit of rain beats 34c every day).
ranger, if you are reading (between changing nappies), how about a chilled hansa draft before sunday?
4 Jan 2010, 21:17 pm
@carol: Howdy Carol. Hope NYE was good.
By the way the “Pietman” is an imposter.
4 Jan 2010, 21:19 pm
@grant10: How do you know the beach ladies are ‘Brazillian’ – Is it a nudist beach?
Were there many empty seats at the cricket today btw, or was it a full house!
4 Jan 2010, 21:19 pm
@WilladieLeeu: Tell you want Wille Wepenaar between Heinke & Buys – that’s scary. Outstanding hooker, imo better than Bismark, but that will get Charo and Bushy all excited.
Wikus – well ok, there are worse. That will get Skoppies all excited.
4 Jan 2010, 21:20 pm
would be fantastic if Buys sticks his hand up at 3 as well…..BJ…CJ….WP NEL….BUYS….what was a weakness may be a strength come 2011.
Throw in Beast, heinke, guthro, w blaauw at loosehead and bobs your aunt….
Smit and Bissy at 2 the cupboard is full…
4 Jan 2010, 21:21 pm
@grant10: Tell you what Beast was very poor towards the end of the year. I hope he hasn’t been found out, or worse – found wanting.
4 Jan 2010, 21:22 pm
@carol:
hi carol,
my daughter and her husband arrived back in uk today from thailand. she is miserable and wants to go live in warmer climes.
is england that miserable at the moment?
4 Jan 2010, 21:22 pm
@carol: full house again by the looks of things….i worked like a trojan today but will be at the cricket on Wed again….LOL…definitley Brazilians….
4 Jan 2010, 21:22 pm
@SodaJoe: I wondered when you mentioned the spelling…..Piet does not usually greet me like that anyway!
Thanks for the warning, someone here to stir!
Believe it or not I drove on New Years Eve….No hangover on New Years Day, that was sort of novel!
What was happening in Soda World in Miniapollis on NYE?
4 Jan 2010, 21:24 pm
@SodaJoe:
bismarkis the bizness.
even smittie (in his book) rates him as outstanding and the best no2 in sa.
4 Jan 2010, 21:24 pm
@charo: Hi Charo, long time….The UK is perishing at the moment, OK nothing like Soda has to put up with tho.
Hopefully I may get snowed out of work on Wednesday!! Fingers crossed!
Where does your daughter live?
4 Jan 2010, 21:25 pm
@SodaJoe: that is true…..part of the fabled ‘ gang of turbo reverse’…
But he seemed fine with Smit at 2 and BJ on the park.
Best scrummaging front row would …imo…be Heinke…Smit and BJ….but Beast is young and will be be a better player for the experiences gained in 09.
4 Jan 2010, 21:27 pm
@charo: Hi Charo, compliments of the sean to you, you having a game at cloof country club soon?
4 Jan 2010, 21:28 pm
@carol: Nah, I’m going back to my cave to sleep. They changed the year on me, I’m sulking about that
4 Jan 2010, 21:29 pm
@carol:
been out of circulation since coming back on leave 2 weeks ago.
8)
better things to do
daughtr lives in fleet, hants. am sure it is just an adjustment issue after 2 weeks in asia.
now reckons singapore is the place for her.
4 Jan 2010, 21:31 pm
@SodaJoe:
Yeah, a front row of Heinke, WW, Buys will be a frightening prospect.
Then youv got Moore behind them. 2.04 m and weighs 120kg. BIG boy.
You watch Walter Venter and Alwyn Hollenbach at cente.
Walla weighs 97kg and Hollenbach 100kg. If given the chance they will be the best centre partnership in the country, and both still very young.
4 Jan 2010, 21:31 pm
@grant10: Yeah the celebrity aura only carries you so far. Time to cut down on the speeches & get to work. Too many people without a job here. The knicker bomber hasn’t helped his image/stature either
4 Jan 2010, 21:31 pm
sean is season, no sheep involved
4 Jan 2010, 21:32 pm
i love the tourists but hell i want my beach back….chaos i tell you….and parking….hell its like gold….parked about a km away from my spot the other day….that nite a few beers with mates, etc….next day of course couldnt remember where i parked the damn car….
4 Jan 2010, 21:32 pm
@BuckT:
buckt, long time. compliments to you too.
been playing a few games at kloof but far too lush for me – more used to barren fairways and dry greens over the last few months.
joking…..of course
4 Jan 2010, 21:33 pm
@carol: Carol, there are other ways to tell, ever heard of waxing? heh, heh
4 Jan 2010, 21:33 pm
I really must order the John Smit book, it is not on the shelves here.
Keep me going until ‘Invictus’ hits our shores in Feb!
4 Jan 2010, 21:35 pm
@JimT: saw a special OPRAH interview with him and his wife yesterday….he seems less idealistic…a bit jaded actually….helleva job….a bit like Bok coach i reckon!
4 Jan 2010, 21:35 pm
@WilladieLeeu:
And then youv got Ruan Boshoff. SA’s very own Michalak. Can step of both feet, tremendous acceleration and can kick a ball miles. Excellent hands and passer of the ball.
Also very strong on defence.
4 Jan 2010, 21:35 pm
@JimT: Jim we changed a decade as well, incase you didn’t notice!
Waxing was what I meant!! Grant would be an expert on these matters being a beach man!
4 Jan 2010, 21:36 pm
@carol: cool …proud of you…read the book….the movie is fun….the book is the real deal…
4 Jan 2010, 21:37 pm
@charo: So you are up in Druban/Umhlanga area…..Sun/beach/beer/braai….Could be worse! *)
4 Jan 2010, 21:37 pm
@SodaJoe: I’m not that impressed with Beast in the scrums. There was that anamoly with Vickery but maybe part of that was the ref’s interpretation. Adam Jones seeemed to sort out Beast & then later Vickery with his 2nd shot. Neither was Beast very prominent in the EOYT.
By the way I watched Januarie the other day for the Ospreys, Boy, has he been working on his pot belly. It’s very prominent now, getting in the way of the ball when he passes.
4 Jan 2010, 21:39 pm
@WilladieLeeu: better than fourie and de jong? or fourie and bekker?
4 Jan 2010, 21:42 pm
@carol: Talking about books etc, do you know nif they have released the DVD of the 2009 Lions tour yet? I’ve heard nothing on this side of the pond.
4 Jan 2010, 21:43 pm
@BuckT:
Give those two time, and you’ll see something special.
4 Jan 2010, 21:44 pm
I know you lot HATE Steven Jones but he wrote a great piece in The Sunday Times yesterday.
“If Ventner is fined, we should all chip in. When numbers at the gate are booming, what a shame our referees are killing the game. Rugby has almost stopped, it has been emasculated”
“Attack is dead, Rugby unions thrust is gone and yesterday, glory be somebody important had the courage to say so..Brendan Venter”!!
It was interesting but as I do not know how to cut and paste that is all you get!!
4 Jan 2010, 21:44 pm
That Lions series was a war….hate to admt it but Boks got the luck of the Irish…..hell we could so easily of lost that 2 nd test ….then the 3 rd would of been a scary decider.
Now look at the fighting spirit of the English cricket team….respect.
4 Jan 2010, 21:46 pm
guys…go see the movie AVATAR….Skop also went to see it and he enjoyed as well….truly a masterpiece of inspired movie making….and what a great stoey…
I saw it with the blonde….next day took my dughter to the 3 d version….brilliant stuff.
4 Jan 2010, 21:46 pm
@grant10: Yep it will be interesting to see if he visibly ages like the rest of them. When you compare photos of past incumbents when first appointed & then at the end of their presidencies it’s quite dramatic.
I’ve never noticed that with other countries’ PMs or Presidents.
Maybe Carol can offer an opinion – did Blair age that much in office, how about Broon?
4 Jan 2010, 21:47 pm
sorry spellng….quaffing Champers so cant see so lekker.
4 Jan 2010, 21:47 pm
@grant10: Hope the book is a bit more revealing than Keo’s Book on Monty!!
Did not really feel I knew much more about Percy after reading the book, however his wedding photo’s are very ‘different’. Men do not wear white snakeskin flip flops to weddings here!!
I was disturbed!
4 Jan 2010, 21:47 pm
@carol: Another knuckle-dragger. Piet has some class & maturity. And is a pretty decent person.
NYE – w had friends over – about 7 couples and our kids had friends – my wife cooked Bobotie ( a typical SA curried mince – lamb & beef – wth egg on top) yumm. Lots of wine, champagne, etc. Nice.
4 Jan 2010, 21:48 pm
@carol: OMG it’s worse that I thought, they changed the decade too?
I should have known you would be up on the waxing thing, heh, heh
4 Jan 2010, 21:51 pm
@JimT: Jim, today I was thinking I would like to see those. Want to hear Geech’s team talks and am now ready to relive Durban and Loftus!
Of course I missed O’Gara’s howler because I had spotted Percy and was taking pictures of him!! (Bit embarrasing)!!
4 Jan 2010, 21:52 pm
@grant10: I still think that series should have been tied. That would have been a fair result. Great games though, ranks up their with the best.
I would like to see the RWC final again. I thought that was a good match. Do you know if there is a DVD? Never see it advertised here.
4 Jan 2010, 21:54 pm
@grant10: Did you see it with the 3D glasses? My daughter went to see the movie but they didn’t offer the 3D glasses.
4 Jan 2010, 21:54 pm
@JimT: the 95 0r 2007 final?
4 Jan 2010, 21:54 pm
@WilladieLeeu: Willa thank goodness for you.
I have already told Sharky that we are going to eat them like sardines on toast with a thick slice of tomato, some mayonnaise and black peer and a wee dollop of Tabasco green just for fun.
4 Jan 2010, 21:55 pm
@grant10: Grant, frame that post, you are being polite about us Poms!!
We are 50 runs behind you I hear…Wednesday should be fun.
4 Jan 2010, 21:55 pm
@JimT: yes….with the glasses….bloody unbelievable….superb….seen it twice but will do it again….fantastic.
4 Jan 2010, 21:55 pm
it’s difficult to get into the 2010 rugby season when the cricket is so absorbing.
nevertheless, to me it looks like bulls and stormers will carry the sa flag in the the s14 this season.
sharks will slip away and plum will be under pressure.
maybe another change at sharks inc.
the top brass are pro and expect immediate results but without a decent backline they will struggle.
4 Jan 2010, 21:55 pm
@carol: Snakeskin flip flops? That’s weird & at a wedding too. THat should be enough to put you off Monty for life.
4 Jan 2010, 21:56 pm
@JimT: Wow I didn’t think Rowdy could get any fatter. Man, he must be taken to bitter like a duck to water.
If anyone knows about the scrum it’s you.
4 Jan 2010, 21:58 pm
@carol: fair is fair…..those cricketers are superb fighters….not giving an inch…..yes..Wednesday will be superb….i wanted to go to 1 st day but booked out….then working today and tomorrow….so Wed it is.
4 Jan 2010, 21:58 pm
@carol: O’Gara will be pleased to hear that someone didn’t see his faux pas.
4 Jan 2010, 21:59 pm
@SodaJoe: Have you noticed how civilised it is tonight? Quite relaxing!!
I adore Bobotie…cooked it for a dinner party once, difficult getting away with ‘mince’ at a dinner party tho!!
However now being an ‘honouary Saffa’ perhaps I could get away with it!!
4 Jan 2010, 21:59 pm
@JimT:
hope he cut his toenails before the wedding.
can you just imagine?
4 Jan 2010, 22:00 pm
@grant10: Sorry I meant the 1995 final. I had been away from the game for many years & then watched that match. ABs were relentless & the Boks simply defiant, wouldn’t give in. Great match I thought.
4 Jan 2010, 22:00 pm
@charo: no Charo….for me the cricket is but a neccessary evil before the rugby….i physically ache without the rugby….miss it badly…..it is a helleva drug….
4 Jan 2010, 22:02 pm
@carol:
carol,
my wife’s a pom but does bobotie for me occasionally.
except she extracts the raisins from her part of the dish????
4 Jan 2010, 22:02 pm
@SodaJoe: I think you would be surprised. I’m sure he’s gained another 2-3 inches around the belly. If he falls over he’s likely to roll down the other end of the field.
4 Jan 2010, 22:03 pm
@JimT: i had it on tape….VHS i think….but 1 of the kitchen appliance thieves took it…also had the opener when we beat Aussies on tape…i was there as well at Newlands….
Got tickets to all the soccer WC games at new Cape Town Stadium booked as well….
We must all get behind the Bafana this year…well the saffas that is…really hope we all support the boys big time.
4 Jan 2010, 22:05 pm
@charo: Ha, ha. Now that’s funny. Presumably he doesn’t have hammer toes? Wonder if they were painted & what colour?
4 Jan 2010, 22:05 pm
Januarie went over to lose the boep…now its getting bigger!
Rassie gonna have a fit…
4 Jan 2010, 22:05 pm
@carol: was at newlands today and the barmy army were louder than all the locals put together for a while! at least they didn’t run out of beer on the first day like a few years ago! here’s to 4 wickets in 4 overs tomorrow!
4 Jan 2010, 22:05 pm
@charo: I’m going to have to look now you have said that!
I do have a copy signed by Monty and Keo himself!
@JimT: My passion for Percy was dented…..Had to tell myself he is ‘foreign’ and therefore different!!
4 Jan 2010, 22:06 pm
@grant10:
boet, test cricket is the ultimate sport – chess and wrestling rolled into one.
rugby is a quick adrenaline fix and the best team game invented but test cricket is like “war and peace” in abbridged form.
4 Jan 2010, 22:07 pm
@grant10: I hope you are working on some Saffa chants to come back at the Barmy Army boys with!
4 Jan 2010, 22:08 pm
@grant10: I;m surprised that it isn’t on sale. I will have to check with world rugby shop.com but they never list that match. Lot’s of other games but not that one.
4 Jan 2010, 22:08 pm
@grant10: hasn’t januarie being getting some positive feedback though, boep or not? if you are drinking chamlers, you better dash out know and look for a closer parking!
4 Jan 2010, 22:08 pm
@JimT: Ricky will be ‘comfort eating’ those Welsh pies, it will be miserable in those mountains at this time of year, poor boy!
4 Jan 2010, 22:09 pm
@charo: test cricket is the only cricket i watch….the candy floss 20 20 and limited over stuff leaves me cold….
Love the 5 day real stuff……but Rugby…and the 80 minute rush….nothing quite matches it…..
4 Jan 2010, 22:09 pm
@carol: I would have thought you would have cut those photos out of the book, eech!!
4 Jan 2010, 22:10 pm
@charo: what are your thoughts on night test cricket? chess and blind-folded wrestling rolled into one? played pezula for the first time last week, you ever been there?
4 Jan 2010, 22:11 pm
@carol: tried in 1995….then the Barmy army started chanting…..’ we fat …we round….theres 8 rand to the pound’
What can i say….never go toe to toe with the army….great okes….
4 Jan 2010, 22:11 pm
The chances of Dicky Muir reviving this side or about as good as Loffie Eloff’s were. And we all know how that ended – failure.
Anyway, good luck to him and the Lions supporters now that your basically missing your one man team – JAQUE FOURIE!
Saw him on the news at Stormers training today.
4 Jan 2010, 22:11 pm
@BuckT: Hi BuckT – The Barmy Army do build up quite a thirst!
It’s the singing you understand!!
4 Jan 2010, 22:12 pm
@BuckT: LOL….no…at home…sea below….and car back in its spot!
I think…
4 Jan 2010, 22:12 pm
Got to eat….
4 Jan 2010, 22:13 pm
@BuckT: Actually he did play well & he’s been getting rave reviews from Jerry Collins no less. His 1st game for the Ospreys was about 24 hrs off the plane & he evidently played well. The match I watched he was quite effective & an offensive threat with his littlenchips ahead. Reminded me of that nightmare game (for me) down in NZ. Oh, the horror of it !!
4 Jan 2010, 22:14 pm
been cool catching up….some work to do….go Proteas…need to go to the Wanderers 1 apiece…
Cheers all…
outta here
4 Jan 2010, 22:17 pm
@carol: a couple of years ago, i watched a bunch of guys running around newlands, chanting, salami army, salami army, never quite caught on…
4 Jan 2010, 22:18 pm
Wow,
So, CEO Manie Reyneke paid hommage to the new season by the standard gobbledygook, all remains is to see how the G Lions will do this year?
1. Starting XV: do they have adequate players for the Super14 level?
2. A leaqder: Is Grobbelaar good enough to do more with less?
3. Replacements: Who will replace the likes of W. Wepener, Albert, E. Joubert, Fourie, A Pretorius, Meinecke and Ludik?
4. The coach: Is Muir good enough to build a 50% Plus team?
All I saw after the CC competition had ended was a capitulation and a wholesale.
4 Jan 2010, 22:20 pm
@grant10: Coukd have lost the first one too, the “crossing” penalty to deny the try was quite rough.
That Lions team was very good, and we were lucky. But the score says 2-1 and I will take that to the bank.
4 Jan 2010, 22:21 pm
@JimT: to be honest he probably thought they said chips and a chaser, music to his ears!
4 Jan 2010, 22:21 pm
buckt,
never played pezula – always considered it an elitist track (or for the hot golfers like you 8)).
anyway girls and boys, need to rise early for some fishing down the coast tomorrow. keep well and hopefully banter later.
4 Jan 2010, 22:24 pm
@carol: hey carol, eat away, i think it’s the cheap beer first, then the singing, dutch courage you know, something we live by and don’t mind if its and airlink that’s flown over at 10am
4 Jan 2010, 22:25 pm
@JimT: Well having an extra prop never hurt. And he’s quite quick for a fatty – like tackling Mini-Me Jonah Lomu. Try get your hands around that tummy.
4 Jan 2010, 22:26 pm
@JimT:
The slow pace in Wales during the muddy season suits his game,,,,
4 Jan 2010, 22:26 pm
@charo: njoy, hope the feesh are biting! caught some grunter in the knysna lagoon over christmas
4 Jan 2010, 22:28 pm
anyone going the boland stormers warm up at the new cape town stadium on the 6th of feb? should be interesting to see what the viewing ofthe pitch is like
4 Jan 2010, 22:37 pm
@SodaJoe: Grrrr!! I’m a sore loser.
4 Jan 2010, 22:38 pm
@BuckT: Ha, ha that’s a good one
4 Jan 2010, 22:43 pm
@SodaJoe: Ha, ha. It reminds me that yesterday I was trying to demonstrate to a lock yesterday how to get a grip on a fatty (prop) in the scrum. Damn, I couldn’t get my arms around him either.
5 Jan 2010, 00:35 am
Now thats what I call a pleasant evening on Keo!!
Reminds me of the ‘Good Old Days’……..
Could get quite nostalgic!!
5 Jan 2010, 07:42 am
@SodaJoe: wot u on abt with Ms Ghana
u in Ghana?
5 Jan 2010, 07:47 am
@carol: Invictus is THE TRUTH right therrrrrrrrre
5 Jan 2010, 07:49 am
@JimT: “I’m not that impressed with Beast in the scrums. There was that anamoly with Vickery”
you gt to give it to him tht he performed very well on EOYT when Smit was at 2
even against the Irish things went backward again when Smit was moved to 3
our lineout was Shite wit Smit at 2 but we didnt go backwards for No1 and then didnt know what to do with go forward ball since we’d been starved of it the whole tour
5 Jan 2010, 07:55 am
@JimT: well the guardian is really raving on abt his last performance
Ospreys soar to top of Magners League
It was a typical Boxing Day derby: attritional, hard fought and lacking any seasonal goodwill. The Ospreys’ South African scrum-half, Ricky Januarie, was fortunate an attempted head-butt on the Scarlets’ wing, Matthew Stoddart, went undetected 30 minutes in.
Januarie had been having one of those games. He had twice wasted turnover possession by kicking the ball away aimlessly and two attempts at catching high kicks were so abject that the ball came closer to hitting his head than his hands.
His short-term loan may end prematurely if he is cited
5 Jan 2010, 07:57 am
BBC reports tht the forwards coach at Osprey’s really rates him though, but i think this was for his opening game as it was posted 12 December
Ospreys forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys hailed half-backs Dan Biggar and new scrum-half Ricky Januarie for their part in the 62-7 win in Viadana.
Humphreys described Wales star Biggar as the “glue” that holds the Ospreys together and said try-scoring Springbok debutant Januarie was “fantastic”
5 Jan 2010, 08:00 am
mixed reporting on Januarie
one things for sure, since he arrived they’ve been winning their games. they had a crisis at scrumhalf before they signed him so couldnt have been destroying all and sundry
got this off BBC today
Two tries from the Scotland wing Nikki Walker at the Liberty Stadium helped the Ospreys to the top of the Magners League for the first time this season
5 Jan 2010, 08:03 am
great win for Ulster over Munster 15….10 on Sunday….BJ great in scrums by all accounts….good news.
5 Jan 2010, 09:01 am
Is Doppies la Grange still alive?
5 Jan 2010, 09:12 am
@Papoose:
The game in Walse at this time of the year is slow due to the muddy conditions, that helps January a bit
Since the Osprey lost Gavin Hanson their back line has no urgency to move fast, Hook and the new kid at flyhalf are pretty slow and usually stand a little bit deeper than in the Super14, hence why January has the leeway.
His general play and option taking remain as before though.
7 Jan 2010, 06:21 am
So,….. “Queen” Carlos , as Corne Krige called him after the Stormers pomped the Blues and flattened Spenser a few years back, is gonna be a Lion. Eish, thats scraping the barrel big time.
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