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, 12:54 pm
@Bouts: in 2008 they were unluck to miss out on a semi spot and they doing pretty well so far this year, so you can’t really say that they’ve totally sucked. please don’t make me defend the Stormers aggghh
12 Mar 2010, 12:55 pm
@Bouts
The Stormers only just missed out on a semi-final place two years ago. They reached the semis four or five years ago, apart from 1999. We also missed out on the semis on two other occassions by just a couple of points.
We, the Stormers, are due another run into the semis. We don’t have the record of the Sharks or the Bulls but we hold a superior record to the Cheetahs and the Lions by far.
HOWEVER, people on this site must remember that Muir is having to build up from scratch. Remember the beatings which Meyer took as Bulls coach at first? Hell, he was fired as Bulls coach before returning. The Lions need to stick with Muir.
12 Mar 2010, 12:55 pm
one thing the stormers are definitely in the lead with, is “this year is our year” predictions.
12 Mar 2010, 12:56 pm
Loffe Loffe, wherefore art thou Loffe.
12 Mar 2010, 12:57 pm
@Dawn:
They have the Crusaders next week…
12 Mar 2010, 12:57 pm
@roobarb2: Hell, we have had to be optimistic to get over our disappointment at all those semi-final places which we’ve narrowly missed out on over the years.
12 Mar 2010, 12:57 pm
And instead of causing an upset aginst the saders or any other ozzy/kiwi they,ll probably upset a saffa team like the stormers and stop them from making the semi,s!!!
LIONS WTF
12 Mar 2010, 12:58 pm
Hopeless, nothing more to add.
12 Mar 2010, 12:58 pm
**** Muir must be regretting taking this Lions job! And Cheeky Watson must be smilling! The Kings could not have done worse!
12 Mar 2010, 12:58 pm
@Bod:
“worser” ??????????????????????????
12 Mar 2010, 12:59 pm
@Michael: Yeah…stick with ****…but stop throwing the ball around…go back to basics.. and don’t expect miracles overnight..!
12 Mar 2010, 12:59 pm
@Martin:
Calm down Martin, don’t spill your kak out of your mouth now.
I know the Lions are a toilet paper team, I was just stating an incident where the Anzac touch judge clearly saw Turner’s foot out yet allowed play to go on, which seconds later resulted in a Waratah’s try.
12 Mar 2010, 12:59 pm
@BULLETHEAD Jnr:
Agreed.
12 Mar 2010, 13:03 pm
@Dawn: Yeah…they tend to save their best for the local derbies,and their worst for when we really need them to front up
12 Mar 2010, 13:04 pm
The Ork must really be lovin’ Vinny :love:
12 Mar 2010, 13:04 pm
the thing is, how does Muir build a house with broken bricks?
if he is going to build a strong house, let him get rid of the sticks and straw. (notice the 3 little pigs reference there?)
he is making bad selections, Spencer does not belong in that team. Francis is the real deal, he is still a baby in terms of age and experience, but he is a level, calm type of player, never looks rushed or panicked. he is like a JP Pietersen (when JP is having a good day). Muir should play francis consistently for a few weeks, let him grow in confidence. That boy has springbok potential. and what the lions need is consistency, not extravagant all or nothing lunacy.
Chavanga also looked ok in a losing cause, the little bit i saw. not as easy to bring down anymore, less of a one trick pony. i may have to eat my words about him. i hope he just gets better and better. he will be a real asset to that team.
12 Mar 2010, 13:06 pm
“stick with ****”
o rilly?
12 Mar 2010, 13:06 pm
Oh my, poor Lions, I actually thought this game might be the surprise of the week..well it was, but for the wrong reason. Must be awful for them having to play Crusaders next week. Very hard for them to keep spirits up…
12 Mar 2010, 13:06 pm
Guys, How good are the Bulls then? They overpowered this Tahs team without getting out of third gear.
12 Mar 2010, 13:08 pm
Oh boy!….these lions make it extremely difficult for us loyal supporters (all 6 of us)…its one thing to lose when you tackle yourself into the ground and show some guts but this is a joke.Earl Rose has to be the worst defender in the history of super rugby……he makes Roger smith look solid.
Sad thing is that he is now an experienced camapigner and should be setting an example for the new blood in the team!
12 Mar 2010, 13:08 pm
Pathetic Lions!
12 Mar 2010, 13:09 pm
@catleya: the Bulls are good, granted, but lets not forget the altitude advantage hey… thats the ANZACs version of “travel disadvantage”
12 Mar 2010, 13:09 pm
@roobarb2: Agreed…Burton had a blinder…hard to standout when all around is crumbling…ER must go…for every 1 thing he does right he makes 10 fcukups…send him somewhere where he can cool his heels for a while..maybe Kings rugby.
12 Mar 2010, 13:09 pm
To The Lions Faithfull,
My heartfelt sympathy.
To those that kick them while they are down.
Your day will come.
Redlion, katmandu and Cab will get you square in the balls.
12 Mar 2010, 13:10 pm
I hope!
12 Mar 2010, 13:11 pm
Tahs were traveling, makes a difference playing at home. Bulls still damn good, all teams will battle against them.
12 Mar 2010, 13:12 pm
@cane: True words.
12 Mar 2010, 13:12 pm
@cane:
I pray.
12 Mar 2010, 13:13 pm
These guys got butchered. Next week the Crusaders. Just doesn’t get any easier.
12 Mar 2010, 13:13 pm
@poppa69: The Highveld is certainly an advantage,all teams gonna battle at Roftus in the last quarter…thankfully we play da Bulls at Newlands…I’m not too worried,we almost upset ‘em in Currie Cup
12 Mar 2010, 13:15 pm
Swaer Willem as jy die lees, jy is al vir 46 jaar n Lions ondersteuner. dit wys deursettings en geloof in jou span se vemoeë as jou span maar net jou kon onder steun soos jy hulle doen. Moet net nie nou opgee nie ons was ook daar vir n paar jaar an almal het ons lekker geboelie en afgebreek, maar ons het op gestaan en ek glo julle sal saam met **** opstaan.
to all other SA ” Gee GAS”
12 Mar 2010, 13:15 pm
@catleya: too much hype about these blue bulls…
12 Mar 2010, 13:15 pm
@Kobus Kitty: hahaha lol….i understand your point but at the end of the day would it have made any difference…..only in my fantasy league team…hehe..as i have turner down.
12 Mar 2010, 13:17 pm
Weakest back 3 in the history of the game.
@fantasticbarnsmell:
Cheetahs having a bad year? That’s just sour grapes.
12 Mar 2010, 13:17 pm
@Storm outta hell:
Well i would be verry worried to play the Bulls does not matter where they play
12 Mar 2010, 13:18 pm
Transie
Lmfao
12 Mar 2010, 13:18 pm
@vasteses:
To quote Black Pather……………………………………”thank you C3PO”.
12 Mar 2010, 13:19 pm
@Storm outta hell:
A note of caution:
The Stormers fanclub are always quick to refer to the 1 point margin in the Currie Cup semifinal of last year.
What you fail to take into account, is that the Boks had only returned to the provincial teams the week before, for the last round of poolgames.
Now, for the Stormers, this meant that they could mostly stick to their core team which had played together for the entire Currie Cup up to that point.
For the Bulls, this meant that their entire Currie Cup campaign was disrupted, as most of the key players had to change. If you think the Blue machine was operating at its peak after just 1 week together, you are sadly mistaken.
The team facing you in the last round of the S14 this year will be in a different league to the disrupted one full of tired, returing Boks that faced you in the Currie Cup semifinal last year.
But good luck with managing your expectations and all. I know how good you guys are with that…
12 Mar 2010, 13:20 pm
@Martin: It makes for points difference on the log…not fair on other teams…could be the difference between a semi or not..!
12 Mar 2010, 13:20 pm
willem alberts & ludik must be thinking “oh well it’s k@k here at the sharks but it sure as hell is better than being at the lions”
12 Mar 2010, 13:21 pm
@Die_Valk: if you consider 9th om the log as a good season then my point is already proved.
12 Mar 2010, 13:21 pm
@Storm outta hell: explains Bulls supporters though, does funny things lack of oxygen to the brain
Stormers/Bulls will be a mighty clash thats for sure…
12 Mar 2010, 13:21 pm
oops, “on the log” i mean
12 Mar 2010, 13:21 pm
Can some one please tell me what the X- factor is that Pdivvy and **** sees in Earl Rose, Would it be that they do not know wheter he is going to f…up 10 or 20 times, he must be the worst player in the S14.
12 Mar 2010, 13:23 pm
@Tacitus: Blah,blah blue..yor arrogance knows no bounds,I for one certainly don’t think the Bully boys look so unbeatable at sea level..time will tell,I look forward to it..!
12 Mar 2010, 13:25 pm
@Transformation:
12 Mar 2010, 13:25 pm
This game was trash…the Tahs chose to field 14 players.
12 Mar 2010, 13:27 pm
@Tacitus: Gonna be real interesting to see if the Bulls can hold out a depleted Highlander side for the full 80 tomorrow…
12 Mar 2010, 13:27 pm
@Storm outta hell:
Sigh. You had your chance to save face. Instead, you’ve decided to go the other route and trumpet your bravado for all to see.
I cannot help you anymore. You will now have to face the consequences of your ignorance square on.
12 Mar 2010, 13:29 pm
@gunther:
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