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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29 Oct 2011, 22:44 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-341: ya these dumbfck scientists dunno their emo from their a-holes they so anti emo that when you pull the jackrabbit from out their new religion ivory tower super duper intellect hat they burst a blood vessel because you are blaspheming against the pseudo high priest society of dumbfck know-it-nots…
29 Oct 2011, 22:45 pm
Professor doctor katman has found ET to be an inferior specimen. He has published this scientific fact in his journal. And his peers support his findings. Ask professor doctors cab, dawn and tassies. They reached the exact same conclusion when presented with the evidence. Fact. No one disagrees.
29 Oct 2011, 22:46 pm
@ET.(ET.)-348:
and IMO we were better than the aussies on the day Bryce disagreed
and i think we are better than the french especially with a correctly selected side and no injuries and a decent coach
29 Oct 2011, 22:46 pm
An unanswered post is not in my rule book a worthy effort.
Those, may be better off dead if they have not yet died, or dyed.
29 Oct 2011, 22:48 pm
how you going to apply physics to the boot of a kicker who might step on a ****, let a ripper go at the wrong moment, into a south easter that varies, and controlled by a mind beset with the bekak pressure of a final? No-one knows all the factors, no-one can measure all the factors known, and no-one can process all the factors quick enough in realtime to do anything with it.
Physics is about as pure as it gets and they reduced to bashing particles into one another like whats going on in your kop, down from that is medical science where they dont know **** from shiola most of the time, and then psychiatry u in deep trouble cos they even more beneked in the kop then their patients. the golden rule when it comes to medicine, hope to fk nature can heal it, cos if u got to go to the doctors u in a heap of manure ek se.
29 Oct 2011, 22:49 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-353:
For every one of you they may well be 10 or more Aussies or Kiwis or Frenchies who would express a similar emotional response.
It is not FACT but it is misguided opinion.
29 Oct 2011, 22:50 pm
@cab(cab)-355:
What then the **** are you on about?
29 Oct 2011, 22:51 pm
@ET.(ET.)-356:
No I sincerely feel we have the talent to win the tri nations and be very successful against N hemispehere teams
There is amazing SA rugby talent in south africa and in europe too
29 Oct 2011, 22:52 pm
@ET.(ET.)-354: who the fck you dumbfck dunce actually think you are… you are a dumbfck nobody you emotional piece of caped carnival carnality drek … get it through that dumb fck head that your input or your desire to be of some self infatuated value or importance carries absolutely no weight of ANY relevance around here.. scientifically or emotionally measured…
29 Oct 2011, 22:52 pm
and if you got to get examined by ET, then its time to assume the crash position, tuck your head between your legs and kiss your assvalve goodbye, cos the only think he should be doing is swimming lengths.
29 Oct 2011, 22:54 pm
@cab(cab)-340: howzit Cab. I might have been weened on the big T but since figured others have a greater need. Kiwi was a great experience indeed. Wellington pre/during/post Wales Irish q/f was the highlight. It was a vibe difficult to describe. The Kiwi stocks of their famed sauvignon B might recover sometime in 2014. Was a hellava party in that town. Generally the Kiwis did themselves proud. Us green-shirts were made most welcome.
29 Oct 2011, 22:54 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-357:
speaking to ET, forgot the arrow button.
29 Oct 2011, 22:56 pm
@cab(cab)-355: aha so we agree.. back to the future and back to nature.. back to where all the good things grow where the rain dance man knows which way the wind doth blow or the rivers flow .. now you are starting to talk real science of the Nth degree… where the modern quantum physicist still ain’t even a hairs breadth of wisdom closer to where the real knowers know…
29 Oct 2011, 22:57 pm
@TASSIES(TASSIES)-361:
sounds like a helluva trip – just one question tho, what the hell were u doing at the irish/welsh game?
29 Oct 2011, 22:57 pm
Ok I am outa here! cheers all
29 Oct 2011, 22:58 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-363:
you’re an idiot too, you dont know science from zip, stick to couch rugby expert and amateur psychiatry i reckon.
29 Oct 2011, 22:59 pm
so, in a nutshell ET, you’re screwed. No chance whatsoever boeta. It’s slash wrists time and be done.
29 Oct 2011, 22:59 pm
in other words Emo rules as it always has.. else rugby would be a sterile little pastime they pass between electrodes in a cathode ray machine and life would simply disintegrate down the test tubes of the contorted connubial conundrum..
29 Oct 2011, 23:01 pm
@cab(cab)-355:
You being dishonest again?
Did I write about applying physics or did I ask if physics was not involved or broader science even?
In fact, the kicker does apply his personal judgement based on the physics of distance and other factors such as wind blowing and how strong or weak it is.
Instruments of physics(Hawk Eye) are now applied in adjudging whether a ball thrown on to the ground(bowled) with a specific force would have hit the stumps or not when the batsmen’s leg prevents its forward movement(LBW).
Every day that passes more and more sciece and mostly physics comes into question and use.
I see you stay away from the psychological questions. Dishonesty?
Anyway where ignorance is bliss ’tis folly to be WISE.
Ever heard of Noaksies Sports Science degrees that many fully qualified M.B.Ch.B. persons enrol for?
29 Oct 2011, 23:03 pm
@cab(cab)-362:
You must be chuffed bud. As a keo blogger you have edured years of endless ribbing and abuse…but tonight belongs to the mighty Lions..the Currie Cup champs of 2011!!!!!!!!!
29 Oct 2011, 23:03 pm
@cab(cab)-366: aah the fckng arsehole schmuck face moegoe high priest has spoken.. you are a dumbfck dunce who knows sweet fanny fuckall.. yet you still haven’t realized it yet idiot moron supreme…
You think I wanna know anything about your psuedo new age religion called science.. get fucked and take your garbage pseudo high priest of fuckdup religion with you moronic dunce…
29 Oct 2011, 23:06 pm
science got nothing to do with it, we all played it and watch it each week and none of us use science. science is good for understanding aspects of the world, its got limited effect in a sport and almost none in art – sport has art too, even your favoured one, billy bremner, but far better were georgie best, stanley matthews, marachuchu and the greatest ever pele.
29 Oct 2011, 23:06 pm
these pathetic scientists.. that think they can apply science models to life dunno wtf life actually comprises of.. they actually think their intellects have grown to a state beyond their cortical expansion and that they can outwit their own existence.. when the one that got sweet fanny fuckall education knows a whole damn site more about life than these dumbfck pseudo know-it-all arsehole ivory tower high priest moronic dunces put together.. by light years in comparison…
29 Oct 2011, 23:09 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-358:
Whenever you use the words “I … feel” you are expressing an emotion. It is not a FACT.
I sincerely felt that the Miami ‘Canes would beat Virginia on Thursday night. The same night whilst watching game 6 I felt Texas, who led 7-5 going into the 9th would, win thhe Championship. I was wrong in both cases as the facts are that Virginia won and the Cardinals miraculously came back from 9-5 going into the botoom of the 9th t ,in FACT, win 9-10 to force game 7.
29 Oct 2011, 23:10 pm
@grant10(grant10)-309:
John Mitchell (Lions – Currie Cup and Super Rugby)
“I will not apply.” Yes, that was the short, and to the point, answer when we spoke to the Lions mentor. When asked for a reason, he simply said: “I’m not prepared to share that.”
29 Oct 2011, 23:10 pm
anyone that attempts to take ET on this “scientific” ruse will be the biggest fool, graham henry lost a quarter-final in 2007 & there was NOTHING “scientific” about it, he could’ve been canned but the NZRU made a PROGRESSIVE decision, departing from past experience, and retained him, wayne smith & hansen.
ET just talk rugby & quit trying to play off ur qualifications then maybe people will take you seriously.
graham henry is a former headmaster he knows fokkol about science but he would school you 10 – 0 wrt rugby!
#jusayin
29 Oct 2011, 23:11 pm
A POOPal 373:
Why do you not just tell your cabbie you are a/his god so that all will know how seriously to take you or NOT?
29 Oct 2011, 23:11 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-370:
they looking like an excellent team at the moment, but S15 will be real test.
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-371:
shut it u cretinous rubbish.
29 Oct 2011, 23:13 pm
just chuck science right out the window when it comes to anything regarding sport or living because all science is about is dumbfck ignorant imbeciles trying to measure and determine what exists anyway.. who the hell these dumbfck imbeciles think they are fooling is only themselves.. because all they ever going to discover is what actually EXISTS… and no matter how many modules and models of empirical evaluation and learning goes into it.. they going all the way back to base one when they uncover their own imbecilic lack of understanding and fucked up over zealous learning…
29 Oct 2011, 23:15 pm
LIOOOOOOOONNNNNSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I need a great Bok coach for Christmas.
And Leeds to be promoted in the New Year.
29 Oct 2011, 23:16 pm
How did one poopal get to talk more krap that Guther last night?
29 Oct 2011, 23:16 pm
@cab(cab)-378: you get fucked you fucked up piece of over aggrandized piece of trash garbage.. how about you get your fucked up ignoramus medicine straight up you dumbfuck self righteous highfalutin dunce… I give it to you right where you need it up that self righteous know it all fucked up high priest snout of yours ” straight to your dumbfuck face you pitiful punkass dunce…
29 Oct 2011, 23:18 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-375: Well there is a gap, and that gap is this.
Please Mr Mitchell, would you consider discussing the Springbok coaching job with us? Why yes I might casually, but only on a casual informal basis at this stage. I am still building a team here in Jozi. But no one ever lerns anything by not talking, so why not?
And there you go.
Doesn’t appear to be anyone applying anyway.
29 Oct 2011, 23:18 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-381: how did it feel watching you guppys get moered while sitting in a “bunker”?
29 Oct 2011, 23:19 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-382: seriously? Pathetic.
29 Oct 2011, 23:20 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-382:
il; drop kick your decrepid runtframe reg deur die pale. reckon i’ll mash u up in about 20 seconds.
29 Oct 2011, 23:21 pm
@cab(cab)-364: Cabbie, you would have watched the Irish/Welsh game too if you had been privileged, like us, to watch it from the vantage of a pub four times the size of Forries, packed to the rafters with rugby nuts and the most delightful Irish/Welsh nymphettes all focused on the one sport we love most. Many of us gave up tickets to watch the game at the Cake Tin to stay in the pub and soak up the atmosphere amongst other things. Kiwis make **** Cab but I can recommend their Pinot. The street party after the Frogs donnered the Poms was something else.
29 Oct 2011, 23:22 pm
@cab(cab)-386: ag that’s also so childish Cab. Come on. Stop it. Why are you bothering to swim in the dirty water. You’re old enough to know better.
29 Oct 2011, 23:23 pm
Maak die Leeus almal Bokke
29 Oct 2011, 23:23 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-376:
There is science in all of life. I even helped you yesterday to better understand some of the science of your milk in sports, e.g. my swimming and your conditioning to perform better(for which you need more specific proteins).
The NZRU made a scientific decision about G.Henry’s worthy experience obviously guided by their scienctific advisors(like that woman doctor they employ) and SUCCESSFULLY retained him. They are the WORLD CHAMPS in rugby and I scientifically called it. Can you beat my 7 for 7 in the RWC KOs?
NO!
G.Henry like any decent national coach has many science advisors too in his team.You surely know this?
The Aussies, in rugby, are the best when it comes to engaging science in sports.
I say now already watch the Wallabies in 2015 but I truly hope France gets it for their first time.
29 Oct 2011, 23:23 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-384:
You’re losing reputation as a blogger the more you open your pie hole.
Take a look at my previous comments.
You’re going to end up like ET, Gunther, RL, Dawn and Skop before you know it…fokkol rep.
29 Oct 2011, 23:23 pm
@TASSIES(TASSIES)-387: Oom Tass it appears taht you had the good fortune to go to New Zealand?
29 Oct 2011, 23:24 pm
@TASSIES(TASSIES)-387:
sounds like good fun, a great trip, night tassies.
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-388:
lol, thought you’d get it, catch u thru the window Joe, helluva win today, long time.
29 Oct 2011, 23:24 pm
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-385: says who … you??? You the latest authority on modes of behavior these days .. or where exactly you get your scientific elevated education..?? huh Soda schmo?
29 Oct 2011, 23:25 pm
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-388:
Now I am asured that tomorrow we will win.
Thank you.
Have you ever had two successive brilliant wins on two consecutive days?
29 Oct 2011, 23:25 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-389: No disgrace in that. But the coach will do me for now. Lot of good rugby players on that field.
9. Frankie Goes To Hollywood.
10. Potbelly Jantjes
11. Mvovo
12. Francois Steyn
13. Chopsticks Fourie
14. JPP
15. Lambie
29 Oct 2011, 23:26 pm
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-383: howzit Soda. You sound well. What happened? Oh, forgot, your Lions came through. Magnificently. Congratulations. Long wait.
29 Oct 2011, 23:26 pm
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-383: i wouldn’t advise mitchell to take the bok job because SARU does NOT have the structure to enable a progressive coach to succeed.
mitch, for example, will identify sadie as a future 12 & will want him to get regular game time there but if that call is in contrast with what heyneke & the bulls that pay sadie 1,4 MILLION a year then he is fecked as he has no way to move sadie to another franchise like henry/smith moved dagg from the highlanders to the crusaders to fantastic results.
29 Oct 2011, 23:26 pm
@cab(cab)-386: come try you little runtcunt.. come show you big bravado high priest scientific superior intellectual m0ronic idiocy where it counts you little piece of two bitty fckface dunce..!!
29 Oct 2011, 23:27 pm
@ET.(ET.)-395: Unfortunately not. But Mighty Whites have a tough 3 weeks to navigate, and if they do, I think we are well set.
For the next 3 weeks.
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