Lions rattle Cheetahs
26 Jan 2013
The Lions beat an inconsistent Cheetahs side 33-17 in a pre-season fixture played at Ellis Park on Saturday.
It was an encouraging first-half display by the Cheetahs, but ultimately they will lament their inability to maintain that form over an 80-minute period.
It’s clear that there’s been a concerted effort to improve their defence in the off-season, as despite missing a host of first-choice players, they were able to produce an aggressive and organised display in the face of a relentless Lions attack.
The Lions dominated territory and possession initially, but were undone by their own handling errors as well as the Cheetahs’ smart work at the breakdown. The visitors were especially effective in this department, slowing the Lions’ ruck recycle and in several instances making a turnover.
As was to be expected in the first game of the season, the Cheetahs were not absolutely accurate. They conceded a number of penalties at the breakdown, and Raymond Rhule was yellow carded in the 20th minute for a dangerous tackle.
The Cheetahs enjoyed more attacking opportunities as the match progressed, with Rhule scoring on his return from the sin bin and Hennie Daniller rounding off a well-worked move. This good work was undone, however, when their defence lapsed and conceded two quick tries in succession.
As the game entered the final quarter, it was the turn of the Lions to showcase some defensive mettle. They withstood a determined Cheetahs barrage from point blank range, and then eventually secured the turnover that would allow them to clear their lines.
A high hanging kick then went unfielded by the Cheetahs, and Lionel Cronje managed to collect the bouncing ball and extend the hosts’ lead. Cronje sparked the decisive try moments later when he intercepted a pass on his own 22m line, and then found Stokkie Hannekom with a clever offload.
66 Comments
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26 Jan 2013, 16:59 pm
Go Lions. Mors met hulle.
26 Jan 2013, 17:22 pm
“This should be interesting,” said no one ever.
Taster of possible S15 relegation playoff, this match. Unless the Kings get it wrong as predicted…
26 Jan 2013, 17:31 pm
Ai, dis ‘n getjommel.
26 Jan 2013, 17:37 pm
well thats the beauty of quick ball cycling
26 Jan 2013, 17:42 pm
pull the defense in a little then release from rucks at breakneck speed all the way down the line.
26 Jan 2013, 17:50 pm
Cronje out and move Boschoff to flyhalf….
Is it too late for the Bulls to take JC on loan? Surely guys like Greyling should not be playing SR, while JC is playing exhibition games.
26 Jan 2013, 17:56 pm
@mxhosa-6:
exhibition’s a little harsh i think. these are preseason super rugby warm up games with a lot of thinking and planning that goes into it.
the lions look strong enough to take the kings in august.
26 Jan 2013, 18:05 pm
Need your help guys
26 Jan 2013, 18:11 pm
Are there any ex springbok who played for the wallabies?
26 Jan 2013, 18:11 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-7:
It’s a pre-season game for the Cheetahs, they’re preparing for SR. The Lions are preparing for a series of friendly games, which JC should not be playing in.
They’ve got a promising looking back three for the CC though…
15 Coetzee
14 Combrink
11 Volmink
26 Jan 2013, 18:18 pm
That’s more like it. Two well worked tries.
26 Jan 2013, 18:19 pm
Tiaan Strauss, I got it, don’t worry guys
26 Jan 2013, 18:28 pm
good substituitons
‘little lion’ cronje showing classy touches.
bondesio good too.
@mxhosa-10:
i’m pretty sure the lions see the ‘Lions Challenge Series’ fixtures as anything but friendlies. you don’t just show up for a promo/releg fightout and expect to win it.
agree on those players, lions should be stiff competition in the CC, i think they’ve got Jantjes for the CC and cronje looks to be good too.
26 Jan 2013, 18:31 pm
@katman-11:
haha
good, sorry was inbetween things.
26 Jan 2013, 18:37 pm
cronje is classy, his game looks improved.
26 Jan 2013, 18:41 pm
Bondesio is lightyears ahead of Cronje. And the Lions scrum, although not the heaviest, is potent.
26 Jan 2013, 18:42 pm
The blonde Cronje, that is. Not Lionel – he’s good.
26 Jan 2013, 18:43 pm
cheetahs need to ease up on this helter skelter approach they have to rugby.
they’re playing a 15 man version of sevens rugby.
a little bit of structure’s never hurt anyone.
26 Jan 2013, 18:49 pm
@katman-17:
that’s what i thought.
26 Jan 2013, 18:49 pm
That was pretty convincing. And this Cheetahs team will probably clobber the Kings by 20 points. Ai.
26 Jan 2013, 18:51 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-13:
I take it you’re not referring to the twins?
It might just be Lions vs Cheetahs in August…
As for Janties, Taute and Mapoe, I’d play them off the bench in the CC… especially if they impress their temporary employers.
26 Jan 2013, 18:59 pm
it’s scary indeed to think that the Kings are nowhere near the Lions strength as a team/squad across the board.
considering the extent to which the Lions have struggled in super rugby i can only reasonably expect the Kings to wow the world with some underwhelming performances of hollywood b-grade blockbusters proportions.
its going to be the rugby version of ‘Eric the Eel’ & the Jamaican bobsled team.
26 Jan 2013, 19:04 pm
@mxhosa-21:
no, it wont be a Lions vs Cheetahs promo/releg playoff.
this was a much changed Cheetahs squad missing some big name players.
they’ve shown their relative strength compared to the Kings convincingly already and those games were played minus some big name Cheetah players too.
it wont happen.
26 Jan 2013, 19:33 pm
I am pleased I am not the one doing Cheeky’s laundry. Considering how the Cheetahs thrashed the Kings, I bet he made a crampy, moisture rich nervous flatus……
I tell you, the Kings will no doubt entertain us all season, but nothing will be as entertaining as that promotion/relegation playoff between the Lions and Kings. I bet it is completely sold out.
26 Jan 2013, 19:33 pm
Nice my beautiful Lions – next those blue cows.
26 Jan 2013, 19:34 pm
@RL-25: Lions are my second team this season. So yes – GO LIONS !
26 Jan 2013, 19:38 pm
@RL-25: What I hope the Lions are gearing up for, and setting as an objective is to f$^k the Kings up so badly, it will embarrass those involved with the Kings and their inclusion to Super rugby so badly, they will not show their face again. That is what I am hoping for.
26 Jan 2013, 19:43 pm
@RL-25:
hehehe
ja, please go easy on the Bulls next weekend
as if
hope the turnout is good turnout at Orlando Stadium.
the Kings – Lions game is gonna be a doozy.
26 Jan 2013, 19:44 pm
@Dusky-27: Lions will kill those political harlots – as for embarrassing the queens will be moered, and raped by +50 points every single week for 16 weeks.
26 Jan 2013, 19:48 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-28: no problem Bakkies – I will send the message to the pride to go easy on the cows – meaning use extra KY gel.
26 Jan 2013, 20:31 pm
@RL-30:
hahaha
dont do the Bulls any favours
they like it rof.
26 Jan 2013, 20:37 pm
Now that the Presidential Inauguration and the MLK holiday and the Beyonce lip sync are all behind the back, the national media shifts back to focus on Lance Armstrong again.
He has been given ’til Feb. 6 by the U.S. anti-doping agency to come totally clean or his existing ban will be irreversible.
They believe he continued to lie when he claimed to Oprah that he rode ‘clean’ in the 2009 and 2010 TDF . This information by the U.S.agency comes out in an interview that the C.B.S. network’s 60 mins. programme conducted with the agency on Friday.
The CBS 60 minutes show airs Sun. Jan 27 at 7pm EST.(I will view it) and they, years ago, put the squeeze on Lance by interviewing team mates like Hamilton and Landis etc.
EPO use and blood doping have enormous risks as both increase the number and concentration(above the normal range for humans) of RBCs to be carried in the fluid component of blood, the plasma. This leads to the term ‘thicker blood’ which requires/ forces the heart to work harder to pump this sludge around the body. Clots now easily form and can lead to heart attacks or to strokes occurring, both of which can cause death.
Any doping is dangerous and especially in youngsters who are not mini adults, physiologically.
26 Jan 2013, 20:39 pm
@katman-17:
You don’t rate Lionel. Why? I’m very curious to know why. I like him and want to know what I am missing.
26 Jan 2013, 20:43 pm
@Dusky-24:
hahahaha!!!!!!!
26 Jan 2013, 20:53 pm
Bwahahahaaaaa!!!
Katman, pour yourself a double, I’ll pay for the next one as well!!
P.S. Pasop Bakkies, volgende naweek k a k julle Pink Ladies daai ander kant die Jukskei!!!
26 Jan 2013, 21:32 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-35:
nee BB, dit gaan nie gebeer nie.
REKENAAR SE NEE…
26 Jan 2013, 21:41 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-36: Did you happen to read one of those brilliant quotes quoted by UFO on the HORE last night?
“A computer beat me at chess once.
“But it was no match for me at kickboxing.”
26 Jan 2013, 21:57 pm
Guy, Ross or who ever he is, makes Bondisio look like a superstar. Those blondies are kuk. Also who are all these players playing for the Lions? More talent for those StormersLions to pick off? Anyway well done Lions…. JC is an yster.
26 Jan 2013, 22:25 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-37:
all things considered it’ll be a good game and could go either way but i think the bulls will take it.
the Lions -Kings game the following week will be a lot more interesting. a mini test before their promo/releg playoffs.
26 Jan 2013, 22:28 pm
@@whistle@blower@-33: Huh? Read my post again. I like Lionel, but not Ross.
26 Jan 2013, 22:52 pm
@katman-40:
ok clear. But tell me, how do you rate him alongside the other names at flyhalf.
I don’t know why he is not in the loop more. He certainly has the skills, not too slow, can kick well, tackles well and get his backline away.
26 Jan 2013, 23:32 pm
It was good to watch them this afternoon!
It’s a laughable idea that the biggest economic power in SA among the big cities will not have a SR representative, the Kings’ hoax will drill a big hole in SARU purse (leaving less to steal for themselves)
These Lions will be OK, just keep Mitchell and Spencer away, bring back Hurter as the scrum coach, Hennie Le Rough the backs coach and Gavin Johnson the kicking coach, the rest will fall nicely into place
And
Keep Jantjies at the Stormers, please
27 Jan 2013, 01:37 am
@@whistle@blower@-41:
Because every time he’s gotten an opportunity at Super Rugby level, he’s looked like Gaffie on a bad day.
His 20 minutes (for the Stormers before then being injured) against the Blues in Auckland still gives me nightmares.
27 Jan 2013, 02:38 am
@papaown-9: Tiaan Strauss?
27 Jan 2013, 02:39 am
sorry see you got it
27 Jan 2013, 02:45 am
@ET.-32:
Ja I think as this all unravels in the near future, and the dangers of the doping and blood altering comes out, its going to educate parents and coaches and sports administrators and even doctors about the dangers and hopefully save maybe some lives of a few young athletes.
27 Jan 2013, 02:47 am
@Dusky-27:
Lions are going to donner Kings so bad
I cant understand why Kings are in super 15?
Well it will help our teams in SA conference
27 Jan 2013, 02:48 am
Lance Armstrong is a phycopathic lyer and a bully. I watched the Oprah interview – what a smug tool he definately has serious issues.
27 Jan 2013, 02:54 am
@brains_trust-48:
A liar and a cheat, plus he tried to sue and intimidate all his team mates when they wanted to tell the truth
Dont feel sorry for him and what he will get
27 Jan 2013, 06:52 am
al die lions se houtlepels wat die katte so bly maak?
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