Talking about you dynamic CEO’s and GM’s … that is a very likely outcome at the Lions as well. Manie Reynecke is out and a new CEO will be appointed. Glasfit’s young and dynamic CEO is taking care of the role atm. Mitch and De Klerk are way more dynamic in their thinking than what came before them. … and the cleaning you talk about is exactly what we are talking about … it is not just players that are retrenched … it goes right through the system. A smaller fitter system will be the result. A very good place to be.

Cannot compare the Boston Red Sox to the Lions. Red Sox success changed when they they took erudite decisions and cleared out the once ineffectual top brass in administration and hired a young maverick in Theo Epstein who changed the way the franchise did business-made him the youngest GM in the history of MLB.

The Red Sox also recruited efficiently and most importantly DRAFTED well. The Lions exist in a completely different environment and do not have the benefit of the Draft Lottery to dig into. They must compete with more storied,successful franchises with better financial clout and as well strategic advantage in the SA rugby landscape. In all that I dont see Lions clearing house in the infamous “President Council” and other top brass. I dont see a Theo Epstein in the midst of all their so called manouvering to strengthen themselves.

Plua the Red Sox regardless of their results, the region’s fanbase(Boston,New England etc) is one of the most passionate in the USA. The region is ‘nothing like the Gauteng region which is largely sporadic in its support and affiliation with the Lions.

Lions are more like the NFL’s Oakland Raiders who are still going to suffer from the ghost of Al Davis much like Lions still suffering from the Luyt hex….

Just strange that players who aren’t considered Super Rugby level, and being kicked from the squad, is suddenly not good enough for any competition.

Point is: They do have problems financially, whichever way you look at it. They did the right thing to cut off the dead wood. All too true. Guess they signed too many players when they had the backing of these rich-dudes.

There you have it. Take note of the phrases “Super Rugby” and “elite squad”. This is the right way to manage rugby teams.

Anyways … the argument that a team must choose between S15 and CC is nonsense. There is no choice like that. If you are good enough to win the S15 you should be good enough to win the CC. The Lions already succeeded the CB level using the Moneyball principles and will now build towards success in the S15 also. One step at a time. The Bulls also won the CC before they achieved success in the Super 14/15.

Teams on a lower budget can learn a lot from Moneyball. Only those with money to burn need not take note.

God never misses an opportunity to remind the poodle romancer just how shallow his gene pool really is.

A few bokke are obviously required too,

But you have a point.