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, 23:27 pm
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-396:
The Sharks need a new backline coach…………………Sean Everitt.
29 Oct 2011, 23:29 pm
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-392: wasn’t a bad show at all bud. Don’t think that will be repeated in a hurry.
29 Oct 2011, 23:30 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-398: My friend I can’t argue with that. No one can.
Sadie. Juan De Jongh. Good centers.
We can win the 3N and RWC with the players we have.
The peopols and hangers on and admin dronkies will screw it up no doubt, they just did, and truth be known always have.
29 Oct 2011, 23:30 pm
@TASSIES(TASSIES)-402: I am envious. Would love to visit. Well done, good on you.
29 Oct 2011, 23:31 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-376:
BTW referees not calling the rules correctly is an emotional thing and not ever catered for by science.
Science works when the rules are correctly applied.
All of science is about rules but science is honest enough to say there are always some exceptions to the rules.
We need to know as many of those exceptions as we can.
29 Oct 2011, 23:31 pm
@cab(cab)-393: pisswilly two face high priest bravado arsed coward …
29 Oct 2011, 23:31 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-401: Some players under 45 would also help.
29 Oct 2011, 23:33 pm
Well done Lions. Magnificent turnaround in playing fortunes. It just shows that success is more a function of good coaching and teamwork than anything else. I hope the Lions upgrade the backroom so that the administrators can support this kind of progress. Hopefully you can continue this rise into the S15 next year. The more Saffa teams firing the better for us all. Bad luck Sharks. If you can sort out your midfield you will also be a serious S15 contender next year.
29 Oct 2011, 23:33 pm
@ET.(ET.)-405: Human Behaviour is not a predictive science.
No matter how we try and understand that, we never will.
The beauty of human beings.
Lovely stuff.
29 Oct 2011, 23:33 pm
Maak Mitchell die Bokke afrigter!
29 Oct 2011, 23:33 pm
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-407:
I think and sincerely hope we have a younger team next year boet.
29 Oct 2011, 23:34 pm
Totsiens almal (except vervet).
29 Oct 2011, 23:34 pm
okay, outta here. Enjoy the feeling all those Leeutjies, Soda etc out there. That was one mighty fine win and a great season. Cheers all.
29 Oct 2011, 23:35 pm
I will say this – Willem Alberts is an absolute monster. A true gigantic man. The guys arms are bigger than my legs.
8. Alberts
7. Schalk
6. Brussow
Flo on the bench. Or Minnie. Or Bearded Wonder. No Spies or Sideways Kankowski.
29 Oct 2011, 23:36 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-391: hahaha like you HAVE any “rep” yourself? nobody on this forum refers to any body of rugby knowledge you have shared because there is NONE.
you contribute zilch but thinly veiled racist drivel
enjoy kabul.
29 Oct 2011, 23:37 pm
Ok I am outta here too. See you through the window.
LIOONNNSSS!!!!!!!!!
29 Oct 2011, 23:39 pm
FFS please mopderators can we have this shampoo tosser banned- he makes bogs hard to read with his unreadable, unreasonable, drivel. He has been building up in intensity over the last few years to teh extent that we are allaccustomed to hisranting – the same ranting and swearing that would get him banned first post anywhere else. Keep in mind that younger kids also read these posts, and I am not sure your sponsors want to be associated with this level of online chunder.
Aside: Well done Lions – its about time you got organised. Does everybody see what can happen when you DO change things from teh top. The Lions ex-management should be ashamed of themselves for letting the Lions slip to where they were.
Also, I am glad that a Kiwi coach is showing the Saffa coaches that forwards domination is NOT the be all and end all. Too many Saffa coaches pay attention to the forwards, and expect the backs to just ‘run through the holes’ afterwards.
John Mitchell has shown that forwards superiority is where it starts – but in order to win, you need to play TOTAL rugby. With the backline keeping the opposition spaced out and guessing as much as possible, to allow the forwards to make better inroads. Each set of competencies feed off and assist each other. Its a case of: which came first – Chicken or egg?
29 Oct 2011, 23:39 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-415:
That you pick me out repeatedly even when there is much rugby banter to speak of goes against your last comment.
I hope you get over me in time brother. it’s time, maybe.
29 Oct 2011, 23:40 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-415: some schmucks actually think they got brain cells exuding between their ears.. and then when they look again they find it was an illusion… like that twatass cab who talks all big f’ng bravado till the cookie crumbles and he skedaddles out the back door fast as his two bitty little pseudo high priest legs can carry him…
29 Oct 2011, 23:41 pm
@SodaJoe(SodaJoe)-400:
Half those 3 weeks are gone already as they are less than 2 weeks from another international break.
I take it only one game at a time and if we win tomorrow by 2 clear goals then the Mighty Whites are 3rd.
29 Oct 2011, 23:41 pm
@SjamBok(SjamBok)-417:
Farting against the wind. They care fokkol.
29 Oct 2011, 23:42 pm
@ET.(ET.)-390: well i thanked you for your “milk” explanation but it was nothing i’d never heard from a nutritionist.
where was the “science” in the all blacks losing to france in 2007 with a clear forward pass by the french?
just answer the above question comprehensively BEFORE we move on further.
29 Oct 2011, 23:43 pm
@SjamBok(SjamBok)-417: ban away you morality impersonator ” do you high moral service to society and get the deed done.. like its ANY momentous skin off of this well worn nose…
arseholes wanna know where to draw or cut the line then let it be CUT schmuck.. any which way your high moral status decrees it so… twatass..
29 Oct 2011, 23:45 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-423:
Denny Crane.
29 Oct 2011, 23:48 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-424: you just one massive fckng imbecile man and the pity of it is you ain’t got a foggy faint clue about it whatsoever…
29 Oct 2011, 23:50 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-425:
A foggy clue about it??????
29 Oct 2011, 23:53 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-422:
Then why did you ask the question then of ” why milk”?
Be gracious now and do not be dishonest?
You did not understand some of the wonders of milk and you understand less the greater wonders of blood and those wonderful molecules, called proteins, in that blood and elsewhere.
Do you know that proteins make up 8% of blood and one important function there is that of conjugation which was focussed on yesterday?
29 Oct 2011, 23:58 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-426: yip not a faint foggy clue about anything .. actually .. how does it feel to be such a hopeless dunce..
29 Oct 2011, 23:58 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-422:
Their individual science of the brain was all wrong. In short, the mental attitude of the players was questionable as is often the case with those teams labelled favourites.
And they paid the price for when the misguided call was made they became too pressured to act correctly and with wisdom.As you know a simply drop could have saved them much pain. But if you just expect things to happen often they do not.
30 Oct 2011, 00:01 am
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-418: i asked u how it felt watching your much vaunted team get klapped from the ‘comfort’ of a bunker, you haven’t answered that little grappie. i guess its too much to expect rugby banter from you as you’re never here to talk rugby, if anyone has access to all your contributions on this forum u should know it’s me but hey to each their own
30 Oct 2011, 00:09 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-430:
Like I already said, go look at my comments tonight. Not rocket science.
30 Oct 2011, 00:10 am
@ET.(ET.)-427: gunther was talking about a woman’s private parts being in contact with chili and suggested milk as relief…i was just mildly interested in his retort not in any science about nutrition for physically active individuals.
there’s no need to turn every mundane comment to a thesis about science. if you asked michael jordan today the “science” to most of his intricate lay-up moves he wouldn’t have an answer bcoz sport is very much open to human ingenuity that is not science.
30 Oct 2011, 00:11 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-428:
Looking for a fight with someone you have no fight with….doesn’t that make you feel impotent.
Kinda puts your your whole reason for being on this blog in perspective.
30 Oct 2011, 00:14 am
@ET.(ET.)-429: thats not science its psychology.. which you gonna argue is a science.. and then it might boil down to nutrition.. which again you gonna argue is a science.. or else its to do with conditioning.. which is science yet again.. so when you boil everything down.. EVERYTHING boils down to science.. or else if you wanna give it another term it can be called life…
‘science’ is just another label some fools give to a normal mechanisms of life.. which the ancients knew far better than the modern idiots who think they are discovering something new when it existed all along… so bottom line there is NO such thing called science.. unless you pseudo intellectuals wanna bullshit yourself that you are more endowed with the ability to recognize the mechanisms of life than those who are not in the least bothered with giving such simple states of existence or activity in matter any dumbfck labels..
30 Oct 2011, 00:18 am
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-433: nope I got no fight with you.. except you somehow think you too have some greater capacity for acknowledging states of morality or intellect than you are actually capable of.. you wanna learn something about life then remain humble.. less you wanna try bullshit yourself like that moronic imbecile arsehole high priest of his dumbfck new age scientific religion cab and pretend you know more than you actually do..
30 Oct 2011, 00:48 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-432:
You are talking absolute nonsense again strictly from a position of ignorance. And then you deviously digress and distort to distract, confuse the imbeciles and to diminish that which is beneficial.
My pearls of wisdom are clearly wasted on you. It is your loss.
There is science all around us whether we understannd it or accept it. Our every action is based on the science of the brain which is where decisions are made, and more.
To come down to you level of MJ, every basket he attempts he has to judge the distance to the basket and those around him wrt time he has to make the shot and with what force to impart to the ball where distance comes into the equation. The more times he does this the easier it is because the neural tracks have been laid and employed so many times. That does not even yet take fully into consideration the memory tracts of the brain.
But let me make it even simpler than that. How many times have you not seen MJ sit on the bench with icepacks on his aging knee-joints especially after his comebacks? Do you have any perception how complex that simple process is?
What is that cold doing if not attempting to counter the increased heat and blood flow of overuse of the knee joint where damage is daily being made in a MJ? Wherever damage is being done in the body the repair process is set in motion. And signs of that damage is increased heat(thus ice),increased fluid and thus swelling, increased redness due to increased blood supply to the damaged area and pain. Often this reaches a stage where it is referred to as the inflammatory response.
Have you not ever experienced the redness, swelling, heat, pain and more of a damaged ankle?
‘ Lyk vir my jy lewe aspris .’
30 Oct 2011, 00:50 am
434:
What a stupid fool we have.
And that is not a science?
You make more sense if you just shut up.
30 Oct 2011, 01:06 am
Vervet
30 Oct 2011, 01:10 am
@ET.(ET.)-437: you too get fcked you stupid moronic imbecile.. you a pitiful piece of over aggrandized moronic garbage that knows absolutely sweet fanny f’all.. and that is FACT..!! trying to school people on the vagaries of science when you know absolutely f’all about it whatsoever.. imbecilic Moron.!!
Pearls of fcking wisdom.. where the fck you stupendous imbecilic moron actually get OFF on yourself.. you are THE most dumbfck idiotic nincompoop idiot that ever crawled from out between their mothers thighs … and then some.. the MOST pathetic specimen of idiotic imbecile spewing godforsaken garbage information to EVER crawl around in cyberspace looking to drop his ‘pearls’ of f’ng arsehole nuthouse wisdom
30 Oct 2011, 02:56 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-439: Have you ever asked yourself whats wrong with me? Spending hours on a lame little rugby blog frothing at the mouth to people you dont know and probably will never meet arguing about a points that in reality mean nothing to your existence? Have you considered the vast amount of hours and anger you pour into this? With friendly banter youre still socialising but when youre ranting you may as well be raging at some random wall. How many times have you penned the words fcked, stupid, moronic, lard ***, ivory tower, imbecilic, nincompoop, white lily livered, traitor, pseudo intellectuals, fckadilly, schmuck, etc etc etc.
I ask you yet again – whats wrong with you? Wat is fout met jou? What are you doing here hour after hour day after day spewing forth your bile and poison like a little black spider hunking down in his corner waiting for some hapless insect to wander by and strike it down with your venom. Kyk bietjie om jou. Life is beautiful.
30 Oct 2011, 03:09 am
Fokoff all the posters writing k a k instead of writing about rugby.
Well done Lions. My favourite team is the Sharks usually, but I hate how they continue using ****** centres and their backup scrumhalves.
So I have been enjoying watching the Lions a lot more and actually wanted them to win instead of the Sharks. Really great play by the Lions players. Special mention for Minnie, Jantjies, Killian, van der Merwe and Taute.
it just goes to show what proper coaching can do to a team and I guarantee that the Boks would have won the world cup with ease if they were coached the same way, with discipline and fitness at the core of their beliefs, like it is with the Lions and playing real rugby instead of no hope tactics like kicking the ball away and just trying to bash the ball up.
30 Oct 2011, 05:33 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-399: “runtcunt”? Lol – Classic! That’s one for the books.
30 Oct 2011, 06:11 am
@Yetirat(Yetirat)-442: Don’t encourage him. If he himself isn’t under age, there are probably women and children using this site.
30 Oct 2011, 07:17 am
Congratulations Lions, a well deserved victory.
Enjoy all Lions supporters, it is a long time coming.
30 Oct 2011, 07:29 am
sigh* and so ther maturity levels hit ground zero as usual
30 Oct 2011, 07:39 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-445: Hard luck on yout team mate. Beaten by a better team on the day,
Entertaining to watch, and from my perspective a classic final. Great advert for the sport.
Have a good one.
30 Oct 2011, 09:00 am
well done lions!
i was at a wedding so i couldnt watch the game but so endeth my rugby season.
have a wonderful break all and i truly hope the the lions fans had a HUGE party last night!
rangerman out.
30 Oct 2011, 09:29 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-439:
You are probably going to be devasated but if you must hear the truth, you do not carry any weight on this blog you goofball.
S’true.
We all ignore your rants and scroll past. You’re wasting your time typing this gobblygook of obscenities……waaaaaasting your time.
30 Oct 2011, 09:30 am
30 Oct 2011, 09:30 am
Roarrrrrrrrr!
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