Tahs crush lousy Lions
12 Mar 2010
The Lions delivered another poor defensive display as Drew Mitchell scored four tries in the Waratahs’ 73-12 win in Sydney.
This fixture was talked about as the Lions’ best chance of victory, even though they had never beaten the Tahs in Sydney. That hope was short-lived, however, as after just 32 minutes, the hosts wrapped up the bonus point. The Lions have now conceded 29 tries in the tournament, which tells the story of a shocking start to the season.
The Tahs were under pressure from their supporters and the Australian media, but their fans had plenty to cheer about as they crossed the line 11 times.
Carlos Spencer gifted the Tahs their first two tries, the first when the Lions won a turnover but opted to run from deep. This is the approach coach Dick Muir loves to see, but it cost the Lions as the Tahs won the ball back, and from an ensuing penalty, Drew Mitchell tapped and dived over the line. Earlier in the move, Tonderai Chavhanga had also rushed out of the defensive line handing the Tahs the momentum.
The Waratahs winger went from hero to villain momentarily as a mistake behind his own goal-line gifted Chavhanga a score. The Tahs led 7-5 after seven minutes, but then Spencer was again at his worst. His kick was charged and gathered by Dean Mumm who cantered over with the cover defence non-existent.
The Lions’ defence was typically porous as they missed 12 tackles inside 25 minutes. The Tahs were hardly made to work as the Lions handed another Australasian team a bonus point – the third time they’ve conceded five log points in 2010.
Tom Carter crashed over before Wandile Mjekevu’s mistake (which was similar to Mitchell’s) saw Lachie Turner claim the fourth try.
The Lions were intent on running, but clearly lacked confidence, as Spencer and Earl Rose hacked away possession aimlessly. The Tahs were buoyed by the visitors’ mistakes and looked to counter from deep, and Berrick Barnes also drove the Lions back with some lengthy touch-finders.
Muir finally lost patience with his halfbacks as JP Joubert and Spencer were replaced by Jano Vermaak and Burton Francis at half-time. The latter pair didn’t lack effort, but without the platform from their pack, they battled to make an impact.
The Lions have successfully brought other teams, such as the Brumbies, down to their level, but the Tahs kept their structure and scored a further six tries in the second half. The Lions opted to run everything in the final 40, and Mitchell capitalised from their numerous errors to complete a personal tally of four tries.
Muir will undoubtedly find ‘positives’ in this display, but the Lions are going nowhere slowly. The seven-time champions Crusaders lie in wait, and if the Lions’ woeful defence continues, they can expect another hiding.
By Grant Ball
620 Comments
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12 Mar 2010, 23:40 pm
@TheTackler:
You sound like a devoted disciple of the Alister Coetzee’s school of rugby.
TEKKEL!!!
12 Mar 2010, 23:41 pm
Anybody online?
12 Mar 2010, 23:46 pm
550. SpringbokSarah
Hello Sarah,
I would imagine you are quite happy with your Stormers by now?
The incredible Schalk seems to be back – what’s the sentiment in CT at the moment, is he back in favour?
13 Mar 2010, 00:02 am
I am utterly disgusted by this!!
The mighty Lions (who would have been favourites to take the title this year) have just been robbed of certain victory by an incompetent linesman. This can not go unpunished!! I want to see heads roll for this.
The Lions were in the process of mounting a massive comeback, certain to result in victory, when they were stopped in their tracks by one of the worst calls by a linesman in the history of rugby union. Drew Mitchell had basically caught the ball while running through the fourth row of seating at the SFS before passing it back into an unmarked support player who managed to then use the linesman (who had somehow failed to raise his flag) as a shield against the defence allowing him to race away and score.
This pivotal moment ended not only the Lions thoughts of victory in this game but also their title aspirations.
The Lions started well and were dominating the contest through their powerful and controlling pack. The brilliant Carlos Spenser had gained total control of play with a series of breathtaking sniping runs and passes which had left the Horrortahs defense in tatters. Yet, despite this supremacy, the Lions were left with little to show on the scoreboard due to a series of baffling interpretations by a blatently bias and incompetent ANZAC ref. The fact that the Tahs were even able to register a point in this match only goes to show the level of influence the referee had on proceedings.
Vinny Munro and his associates must be removed from officiating any further matches. He and his ANZAC mates have delivered a hammer blow to SA Rugby and this cannot go unpunished. In an era where Rugby Union is competing against a range of other sports for crowds and television dollars, a team like the Lions, that brings grace a beauty to this heavenly game, cannot be allowed to go unrewarded for the sort of ground breaking display we had the pleasure of witnessing last night.
I appeal to SANZAR to rectify this situation. At the very least the Lions should be granted a re-match. I am confident the Horrortahs would have no objection to this given that they must be equally dissapointed by the hollow victory. I call upon fellow Lions fans to take up this cause and petition SANZAR. There is strength in our numbers and we must fight the evil that has crucified our beloved Lions.
13 Mar 2010, 00:04 am
Jeez the Lions could do better. The tahs defence is all over them with no chance to move. Nobody is on the cut back ball.
Shocking reffing again.
Carlos
welcome to playing in a Saffa side.
Thats right swear at the cheating ref. You know whats going on boy.
All the marginal calls going for the Tahs again.
Crossing may ***,
yet the Tahs score two tries from even more blatant crossing with the wrecking ball running in front of the ball and tackling TClever.
Near the end, nice hand in the ruck to pull the ball back and then the tahs players foot was on the line.
The lions were poor but with some clever reffing you dont allow them in the game.
The Tahs are ****, need help 2 games in a row.
You cannot put your hand on the ground at scrum time!
Hope the reds are the Aussie side in the semis,
becos if they dont the seats will be empty in OZ and S14 will fail.
Shame really that the Saffas kop it though. No balls in our management.
13 Mar 2010, 00:06 am
@filthy Luca: 551.. Schalk is on probation for the next 20 games… 1 swallow does not make a summer.. 2 great games in 5years means that you are more fake than real… In fact he probably had no more than 10 good games in his whole career.. But being a pin-up for the KKK gives you priviledges beyond believe
13 Mar 2010, 00:13 am
It is time to face up to reality.There are only a number
of real quality rugby players in South Africa.We have
seen on the EOYT if they dont pitch up, the Boks are in
trouble.
Over the past couple of years the Lions have been leaking
point and players due to poor management en even poorer
acquisitions. Why on earth this union always bents over to
give players of other unions a change ,like Rose beats me.
They are unable to hang to players like Ludick,Deysel,
Mostert,Kockott,Fourie, Wepener,Reyneke,Habana, Fourie, Jantjies ,Brits the list is endless.
So if they are in for a hiding against the Crusaders, dont
blame the players, they dont select themselves, blame the
Management who let this once proud Union go to the dogs
through mismanagement.
13 Mar 2010, 00:20 am
The kiwis have a small player base yet produce quality rugby. If some one is good at what they do, do the Chinese, and copy them.
We really should replace the Lions management with competant team. Muir I think is overrated and his compulsion to keep switching players are going to cost them.
Why o why do we have to suffer every year like this?
13 Mar 2010, 00:45 am
@filthy Luca: hey. Ja they’ve been alright
ja Schalk is a Newlands favourite
13 Mar 2010, 01:04 am
@TheTackler: 545 so explain how the Chiefs one of NZ’s great (false) hopes to win the Super 14 managed to concede 65 points to this Lions team, must have been all that great tackling…
13 Mar 2010, 02:39 am
@TheTackler:
545
Interesting that Tricky Dicky Muir, not a slouch tackler in his playing days insists on keep picking Rose and Shavanga who are suitable for WP Liga type of touch rugby but not for a 1st class rugby, they never tackle although they fake many
13 Mar 2010, 02:41 am
@Big Hit:
558
Jet lag and altitude,,
lol
13 Mar 2010, 02:51 am
@The Almighty Shaun:
Why is Burger a pin-up for the KKK? Because he isn’t a colored?
Some of the rubbish that gets posted on here…
13 Mar 2010, 02:56 am
@skopskiet:
542
Elton’s forbears migrated to South Africa themselves, “displacing” Witbooi’s forbears. So who belongs here least? Jan or Elton?
13 Mar 2010, 03:00 am
@Agile ***-Tyrant:
Most middleclass Eltons want retribution and the luxury consumerism, Jans’ will be just happy to find peace at this stage.
13 Mar 2010, 03:48 am
@jeest: Funniest thing I’ve read all week!
13 Mar 2010, 05:36 am
Well done Todd Clever
One yankee played his heart out for a saffa team
13 Mar 2010, 06:20 am
Last year, Rose and Sephaka made false allegations against the Forwards coach involved sensetive issue
The coach lost his job despite the allegations proved a lie.
Rose and Sephaka were not held accountable for their act and the Lions moved on.
The lack of action by the management against Rose and Sephake might prove to be the undoing of the Lions union.
13 Mar 2010, 06:40 am
The Eastern Cape isn’t the nursery for ANY greatness in SA rugby. Even their very best school U19A teams usually get totally creamed by all the usual heavy-hitters: Grey Bloem, SACS, Affies, Paarl, Glenwood, Monnas, Bishops, Wynberg, Maritzburg, KES, … you name it.
Their bush-college university teams — if they even field any — are worse than useless.
All three their senior provincial teams (SWD.EP,Border) are cellar-dwelling rubbish who lose almost everything.
They’re a nursery of utter mediocrity.
It’s like choosing the Dux of the School for the Intellectually-Disabled (i.e. the Cabbage Class)
Get real.
13 Mar 2010, 06:49 am
The Loins ought be be excellent — outstanding schools, several ace rugby universities, vast bags of money, terrifying altitude for visitors to adjust to, a grim, seedy city way too scary to move out of your hotel if you are visiting, and crushingly boring if you’re dumb enough to take the risk anyway …
13 Mar 2010, 06:49 am
O magtag… ek dog dit was net n nagmerrie, nou sien ek dis waar! Die Lions het verloor!
13 Mar 2010, 06:57 am
Stephen Jones will take this scoreline and single-handedly argue, how **** S14 is… nevermind about S15.
13 Mar 2010, 07:06 am
Now for the theorist in me… Are the Lions crash test dummies?
The Lions have absolutely no defensive plan (other than Clever and LeGrange) so it has to be an attack plan. Score enough tries and hopefully a win will eventuate. It’s a good way to prove to the masses that STRUCTURE is a must.
PDV knows it, we all know it. Do we all have to be bludgeoned with these BS scorelines.
How good is Doppes?
Clever is tearing this season up. Go Yank you’re on fire.
13 Mar 2010, 07:53 am
You’ll lose every time if you can’t tackle.
That immutable law applies to those poor sad and puny little 8am wintery dew-scraper kiddies at the bottom-of-the-barrel playing their tiny guts out at U9F level and all the way up to the mega-athletes playing for the glory of their country and its people.
Can’t tackle?
Can’t win.
Like **** Muir’s poor little Loins.
They surely could use a few Joggie Jansens and Brian Limas, and with a wee sprinkling of the sort of entirely loopy-mad fearlessness of a Schalk Burger and a little bit of Josh Kronfeld mixed in…
The Loins might not be sweating their puny chicken-little fat on the S14 grill each and every weekend, hey?
They could just possibly be out there, roaring and being really quite scary?
But they’re not.
13 Mar 2010, 08:28 am
Hows this for Karma.. **** Muir “offers” his services to PDV.. with no history of ever being benevolent or supportive of black advancement.
History shows us that he dismissed black talent more than he recognised it. The deduction is therefore that he wanted to sneak in as bok coach if PDV failed.. He was looking to scavenge his way to greatness.
He presents a fantastic example of closet bigotry that requires a massive amount sliminess and dishonesty.. But that dishonesty starts to eat into you until it annialates you completely.. You try to look at means of redemption.. but its like battling drug addiction.. There is a point that you want to get away from it… but you are tempted to resume your addiction with every breath you take…
13 Mar 2010, 08:49 am
@Black Panther: Fu@k you and your references to “body armour”. Lets get it straight- its a bit of SPONGE. Get the fu@k over it. The way you go on about it, you would swear its a hidden samurai sword…
13 Mar 2010, 08:51 am
@The Almighty Shaun: ..and PDV shows his intelligence and decides that **** is his man??
13 Mar 2010, 08:56 am
@SjamBok: Yep, Rocky said he had played with Victor and against him… definitely sponge and strapping.
The strapping on Victors arm is really no different to head-gear. Players wear it to soften the impact of knocks to the head and to avoid cuts. If a player has an history of injury (break) then the strapping is a cushion.
13 Mar 2010, 08:57 am
@JL1: More of keep your enemies closer… but then again I don’t buy into that BS.. Annialate them!!!
13 Mar 2010, 09:02 am
@RugbyRulz: Is the strapping on his arm rather like a shin guard…
13 Mar 2010, 09:03 am
@The Almighty Shaun: …and you practise what you preach
I reckon your blog persona is actually different form the your real life persona and this is your bit of escapism from your wife, kids and ex wives
13 Mar 2010, 09:08 am
@JL1: I like to tee up before I strike… but in terms of persona.. I really am a nice chap 8)
I have a large circle of friends.. who understand that I am decisive and brutal with the truth
13 Mar 2010, 09:10 am
@The Almighty Shaun: Strapping on Victor’ arm is no different to a player wearing headgear.
But I already said that!
Don’t go looking to flame up something that is not there. Victor is aggressive, hard and smart. He is not an enforcer.
13 Mar 2010, 09:14 am
Bang Bang, hunting season is just around the corner may the Lions rest in peace.. SARU must have the balls to rid the Gauteng Province of the Lions…
13 Mar 2010, 09:15 am
@The Almighty Shaun: You hide away from the truth. Your kids are Poms and you fight a so called liberation fight from afar, with a Samsung phone, bwhahahahaha
You cannot handle the truth as old Nicholson said
13 Mar 2010, 09:15 am
I think but for the cheating ref and the bounce of the ball the Lions did enough to win…….Not!!!!
13 Mar 2010, 09:17 am
@RugbyRulz: Unlike Shaun, who is soft and a soccer player
13 Mar 2010, 09:18 am
@RugbyRulz: It is a an arm guard like a shin guard… It has plastic reinforcing.. Plastic that is hard enough to withstand massive impact.. It is cover by a soft layer.. but it does strenthen the arm. Now if it is to be used to shield against accidental impact then we need to consider how that accidental impact will occur. The fact is that Victor uses his arms in tackles which are not accidental.. This does raise questions about intent.
13 Mar 2010, 09:22 am
@The Almighty Shaun: hey aren’t you the guy who’s x wife gave testament here on Keo of what type of human being you are….
no use trying to tell us what type of person you are…
we already know….
remember… the success outside your marriage doesn’t make up for the loss inside the marriage…
advice to you… start being humble….
nuff said about you…
13 Mar 2010, 09:22 am
@JL1: How do I hide away from the truth.. You know who I am. My CV is there for all to see. Some of the bloggers here have met me and some are my facebook friends… Now tells us about yourself mate.. is there a self???
13 Mar 2010, 09:26 am
@Wikus van der Merwe: Is that your real name… or have you stolen another nic. Come on now… show us that you are not one of those pussies that come here to display their ignorance
13 Mar 2010, 09:29 am
Lions have lost too many players
1. Kockott
2. Deysel
3. Habana
4. Jacque Fourie
5. Willem Alberts
6. Jacques
7. Ludik
etc etc etc
13 Mar 2010, 09:31 am
@The Almighty Shaun: What do you wanna know?
13 Mar 2010, 09:32 am
590 JL 1 ,, all they have to loose is the franchise now..
13 Mar 2010, 09:37 am
@Wikus van der Merwe: The one and only.
The “MAN” that was made to face the truth by his ex-wife
13 Mar 2010, 09:37 am
The Legend that is Earl Rose delivered on his Supersport advert…”Predict what I am going to do next…” Earl I would reckon you are going to take your place behind the goal post…again…just a prediction…
13 Mar 2010, 09:40 am
@Thistle: They will never recover form something like that
Loffie allowed many players to leave the union without putting up a fight
13 Mar 2010, 09:40 am
@JL1: Lets work this out about soccer players.. They billions, Have better looking chics, have massive business empires, etc.. Rugby player have fkup ears and get off on aggro.. Now please explain why you believe that rugby players are better off??
13 Mar 2010, 09:42 am
@The Almighty Shaun: 586
I am thinking JL1 is correct, you Shaun are a round-ball-man. If you had played rugby or indeed any real contact sport you would have seen or man-handled head-gear and strapping (as seen on Victor’ arm)
Head-gear for Rugby is made of various synthetic fabric (eg neoprene) with foam (sponge padding) and has NO hard plastic reinforcement.
Go to any sport store and check out the equipment yourself.
13 Mar 2010, 09:43 am
@The Almighty Shaun: 596..Should read.. they make billions
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