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
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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?
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