Reds rock embattled Lions
19 May 2012
RYAN VREDE watch the Lions slump to yet another defeat, going down 34-20 against the Reds in Brisbane.
The week has been testing for the Lions and it ended in the worst possible fashion. A meeting between the domestic unions failed to resolve the issue of the how a sixth franchise will be accommodated in 2013, the Cheetahs indicated that they are not open to a merger and the details emerged of a R1.5 million debt to the Pumas and Leopards that, if left unsettled, will result in automatic relegation from Super Rugby.
Some say the Lions are playing for pride. That couldn’t be further from the truth. They’re playing for their Super Rugby future. And for 20 minutes they played with the desperation, intensity and intelligence that was befitting for men in their position.
Keeping the ball close they found some purchase in punching up around the fringes or when they set up pods of forwards and played through phases. They denied the Reds possession and made them look ordinary and beatable in the process, opening a 6-0 lead through the boot of Elton Janjties.
But the optimism that period elicited was relatively short-lived, the Reds completely dominating possession and territory in a devastating 50 minute spell thereafter. They scored through Liam Gill after depleting the Lions’ defensive line through a multi-phase attack. Mike Harris converted and added two penalties for a comfortable lead. They should have been further ahead at half-time (13-6), Harris spilling a ball with the line at his mercy and the ball being held up in the goal area just before the break.
The Reds replaced Quade Cooper – who had a relatively quiet return to action – at the break, but their primary threat was up front, with their powerful, patient and organised phase play. The Lions lost Franco van der Merwe for cynically halting one such rumble two minutes into the second half and the Reds capitalised immediately, Saia Faingaa powering over from close range and Harris banking the extras.
Five minutes later former schoolboy sensation Chris F’sautia started and finished a move that had the Lions chasing shadows, and when Jantjies and Jaco Taute conspired to butcher the simplest of tries by getting in each other’s way the writing was on the wall.
Under pressure the Lions reverted to the ugly and inefficient expansive approach that had accounted for their lowly log position. The Reds relish such brainless tactics and duly punished them after a runner was isolated, with the ball shifted wide to Will Genia who exploited an unset defensive line and sprinted 50m to score.
The Reds made a string of changes that affected their synergy, and, as they had in previous matches, the Lions profited from this, giving their long-suffering supporters an opportunity to speak of a brave effort. But they are fooling themselves. This is not a side fit for Super Rugby and unless the South African Rugby Union can convince the Cheetahs to alter their stance on a merger the Lions will watch this tournament from the comfort of their couches in 2013.
188 Comments
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19 May 2012, 13:17 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-96:
Only joking. They do play with some heart. But, overall its pretty shabby.
19 May 2012, 13:18 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-100: I must admit, they have done a lot better than I expected.
19 May 2012, 13:18 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-94:
dis seker baaie lekker.
baie snaakse youtube video met jack parow en die kalahari boere orkes en jack vra vir die meisie:
“voordat ons met oop mond soen, se vir my, kan jy braaibroodjies maak?”
vir wildsvleis verkies ek altyd om net gewone italian slad dressing as ‘n marinade te gevbruik. sit dit in die yskas vir ‘n paar ure en dan oppie braai.
lekker.
19 May 2012, 13:19 pm
Ross Cronje going off helped. Who is he f#cking to get a starting spot?
19 May 2012, 13:20 pm
cant believe these lions pu ss ys didnt play this way the entire match?
they seem to be missing their guts? (or their balls)
19 May 2012, 13:20 pm
blaas jou vuvuzela is die song se naam,daai girl is redelik warm
die sosaties is klaar in n sousie so dis cool
as jy weer n vark tjoppie braai gooi robinson se hoender spice daarop
19 May 2012, 13:21 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-104: I don’t know – but you know what they say about short, ugly little guys……although if that was the way he is earning his place on the field, he’d be playing for the Stormers.
19 May 2012, 13:22 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-106: Robinson Chicken Spice – A South African Legend…..:-)
19 May 2012, 13:22 pm
Kakpraat
19 May 2012, 13:22 pm
hey kiwis, have a look at this and let us know what you think lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRzFqW4Xh2k
19 May 2012, 13:23 pm
ranger daai vark tjop met die hoener spice is so lekker as jy hom byt sal jy nie weet of dit dinsdag og dingaans dag is nie..
19 May 2012, 13:23 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-101:
yeah, so inconsistent you just dont know what they will play like.
But they have fight in them, great to see
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-102:
Same, i didnt think Lions were going to get this close. But hats off to them.
19 May 2012, 13:24 pm
Watsup Duskeeeeeee!
19 May 2012, 13:24 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-103: If you smaak a bit of clutchplate humour, go to watkykjy.co.za. Flippin funny.
19 May 2012, 13:25 pm
Great weekend for oz. Two winners and they did not beat other oz teams.
19 May 2012, 13:26 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-110: LOL ! Ja – Kiwis, what do you think ? Huh ?
19 May 2012, 13:26 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-110:
lol thats bloody awesome.
What the heck is he saying and hit hat rocks.
But its got groove.
19 May 2012, 13:27 pm
dusky i am going to the watkykjy party on 9 june,vip ticket nogals.was just r200 and then you get a t shirt,rolling stone mag,some shooters,snacks and a boerie roll braaied by braaiboy
19 May 2012, 13:27 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-106: ja dis die liedjie se naam, baie snaaks.
ek hou baie van jack parow se musiek.
ek’t gelag toe ek gelees het dat hy van di stage in newcasltle gejaag was by ‘n klomp boere.
hulle het hom ‘n duiwel slang genoem LMAO!
hy is net nog ‘n verwysing dat afrikaans kan nogal cool wees in my opinie maar ek is nie seker tac sal saamstem haha.
19 May 2012, 13:29 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-117:
The chick in the slayer T-shirt is now my favourite.
19 May 2012, 13:29 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-113: Waaaaaaazzzuuuppppp….? Obviously you stayed on your balcony ? Good thing that….did you drown your sorrows. By the way – you shouldn’t drink Gin if you are prone to depression. Gin contains juniper berries which is a natural depressant.
19 May 2012, 13:29 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-98: Will tell gbs to do so.
How you see our game going later? Nervous? I am a bit nervous, only because from here on we have to win all of our games to make the play offs. Pressure, pressure from here on.
19 May 2012, 13:29 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-118: F#kken sker pappa ! LOL ! Awesome dude !
19 May 2012, 13:30 pm
Duiwel slang!
19 May 2012, 13:30 pm
ranger ek hou baie van
die heuwels fantasties
hulle naam is n verwysing na vrouens se b oobs
gaan google “way to go” wat hulle saam met thieve doen
19 May 2012, 13:31 pm
I feel sorry for some decent players who unfortunately find themselves playing for a team like the LIONS…
Minnie and Jantjies being the biggest victims… imagine how these players would perform in a Bulls/Stormers/or Sharks jersey..
19 May 2012, 13:31 pm
Die Antwoord are fast becoming legends worldwide. I like their farkyou style.
19 May 2012, 13:32 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-124:
Leave my chaloga out of this.
19 May 2012, 13:32 pm
dit gaan lekker wees dusky
lekker jol by zepplins in zwoeries saam met die marabse
vip ticker
super deluxe
griffin se stories is darem skreeu snaaks.
chopper charlie ook
gaan na die ou koeie deel en dan kan jy ou stories in die argiewe lees.
19 May 2012, 13:33 pm
gws
die. antwoord are going to be at the watkykjy party
i dont care about ninja
yolandi visser has a hot body
19 May 2012, 13:34 pm
Aikona. I don’t drink gin.
19 May 2012, 13:35 pm
Watch these Lions wake up when the play the Bulls, Stormers and Sharks.
Always the case when the playing a saffa side. They right up for it.
Never watched the last half of this game, but it seems they played well in the 2nd half.
19 May 2012, 13:37 pm
@theOracle(theOracle)-126: For sure. Their captain is also a very good player.
I wonder what will happen to the Lions players next year? Feel for them really.
19 May 2012, 13:39 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-130:
She is smoking hot.
19 May 2012, 13:40 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-117: :@Dusky(Dusky)-116:
hurricane mate, if you knew what he was singing you would laugh til you cried mate. basically the song is called
jy dink jy’s cooler as ekke
it means “you think you are cooler than me”
and he is being so fu k king ironic about whats cool and whats not.
afrikaans music is the top selling music in south africa and there is some seriously great original music coming out and yes, this songs got awesome groove lol.
19 May 2012, 13:40 pm
@theOracle(theOracle)-126: Strauss has already packed his bag to return to Cape Town. The Stormers will take him without a doubt considering the problems they have every season with depth at loose forward.
Jaco Taute might end up with the Bulls, or also very possibly the Stormers. Joe Pietersen is great, but Taute displays Bok potential.
CJ – well who knows where CJ will play next. He is like the rugby call girl. Whoever wants him can just pay a fee and there he is – ready to ‘serve’
Jantjes will probably end up at the Kings as will all the other second rate players that moved to the Lions like Pat Cilliers, MIchael Rhodes, Cronje brothers and all the other just above average players like Minnie, Grobler etc. will probably stay at the Lions. It seems they are too thick to do otherwise.
Sharks will happily take Bondesio. He was at one stage negotiating with the Sharks anyway. He can make his way back over if he likes.
19 May 2012, 13:40 pm
gws i am going to ask her if she wants me to autograph her b oob
19 May 2012, 13:42 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-129: kief bra….sounds awesome !
19 May 2012, 13:42 pm
hurricane go to youtube and search
way to go
die heuwels fantasties ft thieve
it is a mix of afrikaans and english
lonehill estate has been invited to montroux
19 May 2012, 13:43 pm
dusky all the laid back cats are gonna be there for sure
19 May 2012, 13:43 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-137:
You lucky bugger! Chune her you want to take the beef train to Tuna City. She’ll probably give you a roundhouse.
19 May 2012, 13:44 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-117: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1wq9H9M8KQ
another one for you, not as groovy but its pretty amusing
19 May 2012, 13:44 pm
gws i will have to kinghit ninja before babe tuning her.
19 May 2012, 13:46 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-139: I dig this….search ‘Spoofie! Official Trailer’
I saw it on watkykjy first….laughed my head off…..jou gwar….jou wolbeursie….
Afrikaans is such a beautiful language !
Is there really a DVD for sale ? I have to have that !
19 May 2012, 13:47 pm
die antwoord are selling t shirts that says
float like a butterfly,sting like a p oesklap.
19 May 2012, 13:48 pm
dusky go to die huewels fantasties website
19 May 2012, 13:48 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-143: matrass baber
HAAAAAAAAAAAA HA HA HA !
19 May 2012, 13:50 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-142:
Amusing i must say lol.
He knows how to party, keeps good company.
Funny thing is if you had the sound down, it wouldnt take long to realise they all came from SA.
Jack Parow, i am going to show my kids this, they will love it
19 May 2012, 13:50 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-146: ‘Is jy nou heeltemal bosbefok….het jy teveel karate water gesuip….’
Beautiful !
19 May 2012, 13:50 pm
dusky i was in nz on holiday sitting in a backpacker in paekakariki and got homesick
searched the web and found watkykjy
i hosed myself lagging
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