Lions roar to glory

Lions roar to glory

29 Oct 2011

GARETH DUNCAN, reporting from Ellis Park, watched the Lions break their 12-year Currie Cup title drought with a 42-16 hammering of the Sharks.

After 12 years of silverware starvation, the Lions have finally fed.

The 26-point victory completed a dream campaign – which included a table-topping run throughout the league phase and an impressive 29-20 semi-final win over a WP side that had six World Cup Springboks in their match day squad. This result was also the Lions’ first Currie Cup final triumph at Ellis Park in 61 years.

The Lions wanted it more than their opposition. The Sharks, who struggled for momentum and lacked a clinical edge, looked second best for most parts of the match. The hosts ran faster, tackled harder and toiled tirelessly around the park. That determination – no – that hunger for victory influenced John Mitchell’s ‘no-name brands’ to thump a strong, Springbok-laden Sharks side.

Those who backed a win for the visitors pointed to the quality of their squad, which included seven World Cup Boks. But this match proved to be one game too much for the likes of Bismarck du Plessis and Beast Mtawarira, who struggled to make any trademark impact after long and tiring year. There was also a lack of cohesion, despite this group spending the past three weeks together.

The Lions, who’ve played generally the same side since day one of Super Rugby in February, worked like a well-oiled machine. But during this impressive team performance, the player who made the ultimate difference was flyhalf Elton Jantjies. The youngster showed Mitchell was correct in selecting him ahead of veteran Butch James during the play-off stages. After starring in the Lions’ semi-final win last Saturday, the 20-year-old displayed a Man of the Match performance as he kicked 24 points without missing one attempt.

The platform was set with a good showing in the first half. The Lions mixed moments of impressive attacking play with a resilient defence to hold a 19-6 half-time lead.

Jantjies and fullback Jaco Taute, who nailed a 57m penalty, traded penalties with flyhalf Frederic Michalak early on before wing Michael Killian scored the first try of the match. From a scrum in centre field, centre Doppies la Grange broke the Sharks defence through a set-piece move. His offload put Killian clear.

But it looked like the half would end badly for the Lions. Prop CJ van der Linde had a moment of madness in the 32-minute when he threw Sharks skipper Keegan Daniel over his shoulder whilst clearing a ruck. It earned him a yellow card. The Sharks built momentum with their one-player advantage and paid four visits to the Lions’ red zone. However, they couldn’t find a much-needed finish and the Lions escaped without conceding any points.

Then there was a controversial moment early in the second half when Willem Alberts scored a try that should not have been allowed. The Sharks flanker broke the Lions’ defensive line, but lost the ball forward in the process. However, the knock-on wasn’t sighted by the officials and referee Mark Lawrence, who seeked advice from his assistant, awarded the try. The Sharks were back in it as Michalak’s conversion made it 22-16. Game on.

The Lions, however, had other plans as that was the Sharks’ last score of the match. The following 31 minutes was arguably the best passage of play the Lions have showcased this year.

It was a strong performance that secured 20 points to seal the famous win. First, Pat Cilliers powered over from close range after the Lions attacked from deep. Jantjies added two penalties before Taute had the pace to finish another attacking move in the corner. The following conversion was the final nail in the Sharks’ coffin.

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827 Comments

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  • 1.weakoma: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 14:07 pm

    Go Lions..

  • 2.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 14:11 pm

    there’s NO way the guppies can lose, if they happen to do it…it’s an all blacks-eque choke no doubt :-)

  • 3.OCO: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 14:12 pm

    Best of luck to both sides. May the team that wins be the worthy winner and no biatching ;-)

  • 4.Puma: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 14:26 pm

    Good luck to my Sharks.

    Also hope Mark Lawrence has a good game today. Really don’t want to see useless reffing like we did in the wc. Seen enough of that to last us a lifetime. Today we expect the best from Mark. He is one of the best refs and should have made it to the wc. Now do hope he is consistent and fair to both sides. Let rugby be the winner today.

    Well done to Lions on making and holding the final. A full Ellis Park is gonna be brilliant to see. Great for SA rugby.

    GO SHARKS GO.

  • 5.Puma: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 14:33 pm

    Whether my Sharks win today or not I am proud of my team making the Currie Cup Final two years in a row.

  • 6.David: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 14:36 pm

    This could be a long stop start game if the expected thunderstorm arrives. Does anyone know if there’s any arrangement for an abandoned match due to lightning?

  • 7.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 14:43 pm

    @Puma(Puma)-4:

    The refs at the world cup were always going to be up against it- if you take the many grey areas in the application of the rules , the emotion and patriotism of the fans who only notice calls that went against their own teams, etc…it is a recipe for disaster

    Even our own Craig went from being a hero to a zero within a week in the eyes of many but not in the eyes of the AB supporters.

    Lets see what “flak” Mark gets today….. tough job, lol.

    Hope it’s a good match though and the rain stays away.

  • 8.JL1: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 14:50 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-7: I have no problem with the refs, but Eish, one interpretation should be applied to both teams an Joubert also did not do that. Lots of things happen in front of them and they just ignore it,
    pathetic if you ask me

  • 9.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 15:06 pm

    Go Tvl!!!!

    Beingg a long time!!

  • 10.RL: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 15:22 pm

    Go my beautiful Lions, you deserve a cup!

    As always I’ll be here supporting you and defending you from sharkievarkie attacks.

    Make us proud boys … win or lose your my Lions.

    ROAR.

  • 11.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 15:29 pm

    GO SHARKSSSSSSSSS

    Am going to be running to the bedroom to comment all the time during the game, lotsa SHARKLOVERS starting to arrive. Warning i might become a bit incoherent the thirstier the guests make me.

  • 12.OCO: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 15:31 pm

    @Puma(Puma)-4:
    Howdie Puma,
    Agree on the reffing. About time there was more consistency.

  • 13.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 15:31 pm

    @RL(RL)-10: hope you wearing your red lycra body suit again :mrgreen:

  • 14.RL: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 15:37 pm

    @Treehugger(Treehugger)-13: hahaha :lol:

  • 15.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 15:45 pm

    the ref will get bagged tonight whatever the result

  • 16.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 16:30 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-2: like WP last week? :-)

  • 17.Sports_Fan: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 16:32 pm

    anyone have a link to the online feed? please!!!!

  • 18.Guns: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 16:32 pm

    Lions are as hungry as they come for this game.. Not so sure about the sharks..

  • 19.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 16:42 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-16: those fools can’t score tries if u paid them.

  • 20.Sports_Fan: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:01 pm

    What time is kickoff? Rugby365.com says 5pm (11am EST) – Keo says 5:30pm? Please help?

  • 21.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:10 pm

    Go the kitty cats.

  • 22.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:14 pm

    @Sports_Fan(Sports_Fan)-20: 5.30pm.
    SHARKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

  • 23.Sports_Fan: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:15 pm

    LIVE FEED – http://www.lshunter.tv/index.php?option=com_lsh&view=lsh&event_id=67946&tid=217275&channel=0&tmpl=component&layout=popup&Itemid=327

  • 24.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:24 pm

    There’s a magic buzz at Ellis Park when it is full like today. It is a special place. As a supporter, I’ve come away from there on the winning side many times.

    As a Bok supporter, in case you were wondering.

  • 25.trollZA: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:24 pm

    thnx, seems to be a quality stream

  • 26.chockstar: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:34 pm

    Congratulations to both teams for getting this far. May the best team win and may the rugby be beautiful. Hoping for the sharks, but the Lions are a very worthy adversary. Good luck to both.

  • 27.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:37 pm

    van der linde did well to grab odwa

  • 28.Morne for DOR: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:38 pm

    @Big Hit(Big Hit)-27: CJ has very good pace for a front ranker. Someone posted in an article once that CJ was part of the Grey 4 x 100 relay team U19.

    Figures

  • 29.ET.: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:39 pm

    Factual Question

    Anyone noticed how very easy it is for even a recently exposed racist to sing a national anthem even if it composed of more than one language?

  • 30.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:39 pm

    3-0 Jantjies

  • 31.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:39 pm

    minnie started his free lunch :-)

  • 32.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:40 pm

    taute from 57m YOH

  • 33.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:41 pm

    6-0 Taute

  • 34.ET.: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:42 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-31:

    I left a genuine answer for your ” why milk ” question. Did you see it?

  • 35.David: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:43 pm

    Strauss is the only 8 to offload in the tackle.

  • 36.David: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:45 pm

    The Sharks backline all offside.

  • 37.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:46 pm

    lawrence cooking it already

  • 38.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:46 pm

    6-3 Michalak

  • 39.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:47 pm

    @ET.(ET.)-34: yes, thank you

  • 40.ET.: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:49 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-39:

    Fine.

  • 41.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:49 pm

    9-3 Jantjies

  • 42.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:56 pm

    Keegan not feeling the love here

  • 43.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 17:57 pm

    Unlucky Freddie

  • 44.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:00 pm

    12-3 Jantjies

    Lions haven’t really did much but take their kicks.

  • 45.cab: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:02 pm

    tjesus, ellis is like 10 years in the past, what an atmosophere, what a try.

    go Lions!

  • 46.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:03 pm

    try killian, score is beginning to look pretty one-sided

  • 47.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:03 pm

    doppies skins oupa

  • 48.David: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:03 pm

    Doppies must be the unluckiest centre in SA., not to make the Bok squad.

  • 49.Morne for DOR: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:04 pm

    Jantjies is the future for the Boks at 10 IMO.

    Great player, tightened up his game tremendously this year.

  • 50.ashampoopaloo: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:05 pm

    How’s this John Mitchell turned this cinderella team around in less than a year like a bloody miracle

    Best coach in SA by some distance

    Sharks with all their Boks chucking everything at Lions who stand firm and then Doppies skin them apart and Jantjies showing why he’s the business at No.10

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