Lions face unique challenge
9 Jan 2013
The Lions will kick off their 2013 campaign against Russia next Saturday in the first of 12 matches at Ellis Park.
Having lost their Super Rugby status, the Joburg-based franchise has been forced to arrange fixtures against minnow nations, French and US clubs, and invitational sides that they hope will prepare them for their promotion-relegation tie against the last-place team in the SA conference.
The Lions will play the majority of their matches at home, which will please their fans, while travelling to California, Vancouver, Chicago and Windhoek.
Meanwhile, the GLRU is looking for a new naming-rights sponsor for Ellis Park after Coca-Cola opted not to renew their five-year, R12 million-a-year deal.
LIONS’ FIXTURES
19 January: vs Russia, Ellis Park (7pm)
26 January: vs Cheetahs, Ellis Park (5pm)
2 February: vs Bulls, Orlando Stadium (3pm)
9 February: vs Kings, Ellis Park (TBC)
23 February: vs Namibia in Windhoek (TBC)
16 March: vs Mont de Marsan, Ellis Park (7:30pm)
13 April: vs US Invitational, California (TBC)
20 April: vs North American Barbarians, Vancouver (TBC)
27 April: vs Chicago Lions, Chicago (TBC)
11 May: vs Agen, Ellis Park (3pm)
1 June: vs Samoa, Ellis Park (3pm)
8 June: vs French Barbarians, Ellis Park (2pm)
15 June: vs Stormers, Ellis Park (2pm)
21 June: vs Sharks, Ellis Park (7pm)
12 July: vs Montpellier, Ellis Park (7pm)
20 July: vs Grenoble, Ellis Park (2.30pm)
27 July: Promotion-relegation play-off, TBC (TBC)
3 August: Promotion-relegation play-off, Ellis Park (TBC)
103 Comments
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9 Jan 2013, 18:03 pm
@Gordon Gekko-47: Wow, you got me there son….
9 Jan 2013, 18:08 pm
@Slappes-48: That might have been an option up here but Manie Booysen should be under no illusions that if he cannot make a dent in the first 60 days at the GLRU he should save everyone the embarrassment and walk away and not stuff up the Lions further, as he might upset Loyal Lion here.
What we need is a Hungry Lion not a moth eaten Lion or a Lion that loves watching rugby.
9 Jan 2013, 18:11 pm
Slappes and Gordon brings back memories of Dumb Dumber…Gordon comes up with a cute but stupid comment and Slappes goes huhhhuhh and then only when somebody reads it to him and explains the nonsense..he chirps something or laughs at the comment..well done you two. At first I thought I was dealing with rugby supporters, but hey everybody makes mistakes…by the way you made my day! Silly people!
9 Jan 2013, 18:14 pm
Russia?
9 Jan 2013, 18:17 pm
drop ellis park, move to FNB. Rename the team the Orlando Lions. Start a truly SA team in that is laden with black talent, then convince SARU to pick up the tab. There should not be a problem to find sponsors as long as you sell the right idea/vision. No that is how you change the fortunes of the lions, but the old generation rugby administrators are to stuck in their ways.
9 Jan 2013, 18:18 pm
@loyaldomp@eslion, lees wat gordon gese en gaan besin daaroor. Jy is defintief die vertraagste damduiker in hele suid afrika. Hoe te v@k bou n mens n nasie met jou? Lol
9 Jan 2013, 18:22 pm
@Slappes-56: Kom ek verduidelik vir jou……nie met jou nie drol!!! En dit is hoe de fok en nie hoe te vok nie….ai, nou moet ek jou nog leer vloek ok!!
9 Jan 2013, 18:23 pm
@Gordon, TonyM did approach the lions but to no avail… So theyre stuck with manie muis.
9 Jan 2013, 18:27 pm
@Loyal luisbesmette lion, jys rerig so dom soos n brood ne?
9 Jan 2013, 18:39 pm
loyal lion…
you’re taking on two of the most intelligent and level-headed guys on keo… admirable though your loyalty is… this conversation can only go the one way for you…
as has been said the lions really are up against it and should really use this time to innovate and reinvent themselves… cause if they keep doing what they’ve been doing for the last few years they’re gonna get the same old same old…
as several have said… really sad to see
9 Jan 2013, 18:46 pm
@Gordon Gekko-52:
To be fair he inherited
a basically bankrupt team
whose not playing in the premier competition
with no real sponsors
a stadium no-one wants to visit
and no clear direction for the future
9 Jan 2013, 19:02 pm
@Ufo, some info on the Wprfu and CT stadium. For Wp to get newlands up to Irb standards theyll have to find bout R150mil or more. This would include construction etc, but they would also have to buy the surrounding private properties to make space available. Big Problem this. CCT wants to basically give them the new stadium for free, just naming rights is the issue for both atm. More later….
9 Jan 2013, 19:07 pm
@Slappes-62:
great news that slappes… thanks bud…
yeah… did suggest a a while back that the best way forward would be for the CCT to give WP the stadium… glad sensible thinking is happening…
will the city take newlands as a trade…? or will wp run both…?
9 Jan 2013, 19:08 pm
@victoriabok-61: So those are the cards you are dealt with then deal with them.
No room for excuses or cry babies.
Use it or lose it.
9 Jan 2013, 19:13 pm
@Gordon Gekko-64:
Luyt told them before they got rid of him and they still had plenty cash to sell Ellispark and build a new stadium somewhere else like Midrand
9 Jan 2013, 19:17 pm
Classic banter on this thread.
Nice…..
9 Jan 2013, 19:24 pm
@Slappes-62:
If that is the case, take the Cape Town Stadium and run.
Interesting post, thanks, certainly shed some new light on this issue for me.
9 Jan 2013, 19:36 pm
@Jeraldjay-66: I would hardly call it classic banter. Looking at Slappes comebacks it’s clear that he still writes his name with crayons
9 Jan 2013, 19:39 pm
Yes Nortie, it’s not that simple: At Newlands there are about 300 suites and at the new CT stadium only ± 100 – that is one of the main points of discussion.
If WP Rugby can’t accommodate the suite holders they will lose a lot of potential income!
As I’ve stated before, if a move is done to the CT stadium, I’ll give up my season tickets! That’s my personal opinion and while others are welcome to disagree, I’ve made up my mind
9 Jan 2013, 19:42 pm
@CharlesM-69:
Ok, new spin and perspective.
When will they come to a decision?
The stadium and surrounds in that suburb must be worth a hell of a lot if they sell.
If they do get the CT stadium, can they build additional suites?
9 Jan 2013, 19:46 pm
@Tuna-68:
Howzit Tuna.
Banter between Lions supporters with different perceptions for the future of their beloved union. One see’s light at the end of the tunnel, the other see’s that light as an oncoming train.
9 Jan 2013, 19:54 pm
Nortie I have no idea!
The new president has said that the “move” is one of his top priorities. A lot of discussions will have to take place and the clubs (all ±96 of them) have to take a majority decision in this regard.
Goodness knows when this will happen!
BTW I don’t know what the costs will be to “demolish” it.
9 Jan 2013, 19:58 pm
@CharlesM-69:
According to my bud Xhosaskid all they need to to is increase the price of suites by 300%.
9 Jan 2013, 20:05 pm
Gunther obviously your buddie is an accountant / economist………….or not
9 Jan 2013, 20:06 pm
I’ve never been to the new stadium.
Last time I drove past they were still constructing, shows you how long ago I’ve been “home”
If they do move, it will take a while to get used to, but after a season or 2 it will be business as usual.
Honestly, if the Stormers and WP wins trophies I don’t mind where it happens, as long as it happens.
9 Jan 2013, 20:07 pm
@CharlesM, Wp have/are consulting concerning the addition of more suites at CT. There is enough space, but the bill for such expansion is also a problem. So lots to do still but theres progress…
9 Jan 2013, 20:09 pm
Yes Slappes that bill will be huge!!
9 Jan 2013, 20:11 pm
yeah charles… certainly not as simple as an overnight biddulphs or u-haul move… so a long way to go yet… but at least the intransigence on both sides seems to have softened…
i love newlands… always have… but a move to cape town stadium is inevitable…
i spoke to some WP management a few years ago… and was told they’d knew this but would hold out for the best possible deal…
and they would have to spring for a renovation of newlands in the nearish future anyway.., the stands are really old now…
so as much as we have an emotional attachment to newlands… WP will eventually move to the new stadium…
9 Jan 2013, 20:18 pm
@CharlesM, not really… that stadium was built to accomodate such expansion without much fuss but yeah Wp would want a better deal…but theres progress…
9 Jan 2013, 20:20 pm
@ufo-60: If that is the case UFO, then it seriously a sad state of affairs at KEO
9 Jan 2013, 20:23 pm
Yes Ufo I guess you’re right and it is inevitable in most peoples’ minds!
Meanwhile I’ll enjoy Newlands until the end of it (I hope).
Hopefully we can achieve that illusive S15 title!
Way back in my res at Stellenbosch, a then Transvaal supporter and fellow “res mate” (Eugene) said he’ll start supporting WP when both Schalk Burger and Faffa Knoetze were chosen for Province. They were with us in res and eventually (after they had been picked) Eugene started to support Province.
Maybe I’ll commit myself to the CT stadium when we take the S15 title. I’m sure Bakkies et al will tell me to relax!
9 Jan 2013, 20:23 pm
@Loyal Lion-80:
Los die thread, kom gesels eerder saam op die Hore thread.
Baie beter en goeie pret.
9 Jan 2013, 20:24 pm
Now it makes sense! Slappes is a pure bred WP supporter. He knows nothing else but as soon as WP comes up, boy does he know his ****!
9 Jan 2013, 20:25 pm
@nortierd-82: Thanks ou Maat, maak so…
9 Jan 2013, 20:30 pm
@CharlesM, faffa , kobus, freddie, niel, div, niel, calla, michael, carel, theuns, gert. = legends!
9 Jan 2013, 20:31 pm
fair enough charles… so will i… im also a season ticket holder…
9 Jan 2013, 20:35 pm
@Loyallion, No youre wrong..again. I read alot and comprehend what I read as well, you should try it. I support the black and white Dynamite…boom!
9 Jan 2013, 20:35 pm
loyal lion…
keo is… interesting… if nothing else…
but great for learning about whats happening from many people…
and plenty of banter and fun.,
just chillax and enjoy it
9 Jan 2013, 20:37 pm
slappes@85
absolutely..!!
9 Jan 2013, 20:42 pm
@Slappes-87:
Die dynamite met die kort lonte?
2 March and 13 April is going to be epic.
9 Jan 2013, 20:45 pm
Slappes, I’ve played with some of them way back!!!
I’ll never forget those days !!
BTW I’m out for the night !!
Until tomorrow then !!
9 Jan 2013, 20:49 pm
cheers charles
9 Jan 2013, 20:51 pm
@Ufo, another little crumb the City never invested any money in that stadium, national gov built it. The city only has the monthly operating costs to cover which amounts R1mil. City wants to get rid of that expense asap, and Wp would be the solution.
9 Jan 2013, 20:57 pm
@Slappes-79:
Obviously, the WPRU will want to go to a larger, and this time all-seater, stadium. The CT seats what at present? +/- 60,000.
If they even decide to just double the number of suites to 200 – let alone 300, this will decrease the stadium capacity substantially.
9 Jan 2013, 21:00 pm
sounds good slappes.. just a matter of time… please keep us informed…
also out for the night…
cheers
9 Jan 2013, 21:07 pm
@Iamstormer, not really mate. Cape town stadium was built with expansion in mind and its a multipurpose circuit iow soccer, rugby, athletics even cycling can be accomodated. The suites can be increased without loss of much seats.
9 Jan 2013, 21:12 pm
Cheers Ufo, CharlesM.
9 Jan 2013, 21:23 pm
@Slappes-96: ok. Sounds good.
9 Jan 2013, 22:12 pm
I think the line up of games the Lions have is not to shabby at all.
A bit of compassion to Lions supporters that are freaked out should be the norm here and not an aberration, imagine if this had happened to your team and how you would be feeling just before the start of rugby season.
I would be extremely resentful and totally gutted if it happened to the Sharks.
10 Jan 2013, 06:31 am
According to Beeld most of the Lions Challenge games will be broadcast by Supersport, except for the Kings game on 9 Feb and the USA tour games.
“Intussen het Supersport by navraag bevestig dat byna al die Lions se vriendskaplike wedstryde, wat tydens die duur van die Superrugby-reeks onder die vaandel van die “Lions Challenge” gespeel gaan word, uitgesaai sal word.
In die komende maand alleen sal die Lions se wedstryde teen Rusland, die Cheetahs en die Bulls op die kassie wees. Die kragmeting tussen die Lions en die Kings op 9 Februarie op Ellispark word nie uitgesaai nie; ook nie hul toer na Noord-Amerika in April nie.”
http://www.beeld.com/Sport/Rugby/Mitchell-Niks-duister-20130109
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