Saders sink brainless Lions

Saders sink brainless Lions

31 Mar 2012

RYAN VREDE reports on the Crusaders’ 23-13 victory over a tactically naive Lions at Ellis Park.

Yet another loss where the Lions played what they deem beautiful rugby. Their supporters will settle for an ugly, deformed or downright hideous win right now.

The excuse about injuries doesn’t wash. Every team has injuries. Their problems are rooted in coach John Mitchell’s refusal to relinquish a misplaced belief in a fundamentally flawed game plan. The Lions continue to play a brand of rugby too heavily weighted to the expansive. It lacks the balance needed to make them a consistently threatening side.

The Saders were uncharacteristically porous on defence in the first half (missed 10 tackles and lacked the physicality at the gainline that has traditionally been the bedrock of their success). Yet for all their possession and territory the Lions led by just three points (13-10) at the break. They will point to missed opportunities that could have extended their lead, but those sorts of errors have become chronic.

The Saders scored with one of their first opportunities in the half, Dan Carter expertly picking out Zac Guilford’s run on his inside shoulder. It was an ominous warning for the hosts, who despite scoring a converted try just before the break, had exhibited little to inspire.

The Saders started brilliantly after the break, Sean Maitland collecting the most sublime grubber from Israel Dagg to score. Tom Taylor converted and kicked two penalties thereafter to give his side a 10-point lead.

Still the Lions had the ascendancy in the territory and possession stakes and were forcing the visitors into a plethora of tackles. But there was a marked sense of composure on defence from the seven-time champs, who committed few to the breakdown and around the ruck fringe, safe in the knowledge that the Lions would not seek to punch up close through phases.

The Lions became increasingly cavalier as their desperation grew and this suited the Saders, who isolated runners and kept their breakdown turnover count ticking over. The Lions never looked like winning. They simply didn’t have the tactical capacity for it.

Expect Mitchell to point once more to his injury list and speak of this loss as a lesson. Bullshit. He needs to be accountable for what promises to be yet another disastrous Super Rugby campaign under his watch.


369 Comments

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  • 201.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:15 pm

    bulls try with 14 men!

    UH OH GAME ON!

    :lol:

    bekker tried to cheat too naughty naughty.

  • 202.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:15 pm

    Try to the 14 men Bulls.

  • 203.cab: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:15 pm

    lol, bulls have scored a breakaway, that could upset the entire applecart, going to give them alot of confidence, could be a cracking finale.

  • 204.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:15 pm

    Take that farkers.

  • 205.carol: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:15 pm

    @Hondo(Hondo)-191:

    Hondo, you have not obviously been to many top class stadiums!!

    Newlands is frankly a bit of a dump!! :-)

  • 206.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:16 pm

    Min 46
    De Jongh turned it over, the Bulls scored

  • 207.ashampoopaloo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:16 pm

    against run of play damn de Jongh should have rather gone down with the ball than flick out the pass to a pink player

  • 208.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:17 pm

    That’s one of thise 14 point swings. Could so easily have been a try at the other end.

  • 209.HHS: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:17 pm

    Chilli playing good rugga. Top no 2 in SA imo.

  • 210.carol: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:17 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-179:
    How are the anxiety levels now!! :-)

  • 211.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:18 pm

    @carol(carol)-205:

    I love that “dump”

  • 212.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:18 pm

    Duvethanger tactical brilliance.

    Not.

  • 213.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:19 pm

    AC, just get Elstadt off the field asap, for fark sakes.

  • 214.HHS: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:19 pm

    Bulls should stick to 14 men.

  • 215.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:20 pm

    Squeaky bum time for the Stormers.

  • 216.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:20 pm

    He got it at last- Koster to the rescue

  • 217.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:21 pm

    robzim you said elstadt was ready when i asked during the week!

  • 218.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:21 pm

    chili is playing a top game.

    man chili and biz, we are blessed.

  • 219.cab: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:21 pm

    why has elstadt been taking off on 50? dom.

  • 220.ashampoopaloo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:22 pm

    taking Elstadt off for Koster big mistake

  • 221.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:23 pm

    Newlands is not a dump

  • 222.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:23 pm

    Skinner crying like a biiiaaatch.
    :lol:

  • 223.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:23 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-217:

    Ready for no 4 yes but not as a flanker- he is a lock– too slow and not enough skills for a number 7

  • 224.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:24 pm

    uh oh, skop will not be happy about your critique of elstadt.

    i sense a tourettes tour coming.

    craig joubert giving everything to the stormers tonight imo.

  • 225.carol: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:24 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-223:
    Girls arrived….!!
    Another time…

    GO BULLS !! :-)

  • 226.cab: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:25 pm

    duvenage knocked back and hougaard ripped it over with his stregth, shoulda been a bulls try.

  • 227.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:25 pm

    stormers under the same kosh they were against the lions!

  • 228.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:26 pm

    Puting in on Kolisi side a big mistake

  • 229.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:26 pm

    ooh bad luck hougie.

    and skopkukpraat wants us to believe duvenhage has anything on this kid?

    ;lol:

  • 230.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:26 pm

    Joubert is doing his part for the Stormers here…

  • 231.ashampoopaloo: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:28 pm

    taking Elstadt off for lightweight Koster is opening the door for these okes stupid f’ng decision dumb fck idiots

    One try against run of play when De Jongh flip pass to wrong player brought Bulls back in the game

    Elstadt should have stayed on to minute 65 thereabouts

  • 232.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:29 pm

    @carol(carol)-225:

    Thanks, next year u can find someone else to help U finish da race.

  • 233.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:31 pm

    Yip, Piet Retief should go off now, fark Craig, how many times??

  • 234.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:31 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-232: :lol:

    i thought you were trying to keep up with her?

  • 235.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:34 pm

    eish bekker hard done by imo.

  • 236.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:34 pm

    morne misses 6 points.

    no good.

  • 237.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:35 pm

    @rangerman(rangerman)-234:

    Lol, when I am under pressure like now the truth comes out- Stormers in trouble here, luckily Morne misses.

  • 238.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:35 pm

    MacGyver Dean Greyling.

    Classic.

    :lol:

  • 239.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:36 pm

    ooooooh, its gome quiet.

    fingernails being shredded methinks.

    :lol:

  • 240.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:37 pm

    oh fark, – here comes kak

  • 241.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:38 pm

    Olivier looks so “at home” in his pienk strip.

  • 242.Markel77: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:38 pm

    fantastic try bulls

  • 243.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:39 pm

    A draw will be very naaice.

  • 244.cab: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:39 pm

    stomers have taken their foot off the forward gas, elstadt was taken off way too early, they now in deep ****, momentum with bulls.

  • 245.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:40 pm

    ok, gotta eat my natal snoek that obliged me so nicely by swimming by the rangers spear.

    may the best team win!

  • 246.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:43 pm

    @rangerman(rangerman)-245:

    Lol. Snoek suicide? How nice.

  • 247.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:44 pm

    the stormers DESPERATELY need an attack specialist, fleckie is kak

  • 248.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:46 pm

    @Hondo(Hondo)-228: u say that when the guy who got subbed is elstadt bwahahahahaha

    has chili been a ‘liability’ yet?

  • 249.JockBok: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:47 pm

    ^5

  • 250.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2012, 20:48 pm

    Joubert, again :roll:

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