LIONS 2010
Tue, 30 Jan 2007 11:38
LIONS 2010
In the 2009 Super 14, the Lions finished twelfth, winning only four matches, and in the process conceding 419 points, by some way the worst defensive record of any team.
In the last four years of the Super 12 they ended eleventh twice and a dismal stone last twice. Since the advent of the Super 14 in 2006, they've finished 13th, 12th, 14th and 12th in respective years.
They've made Super Rugby play-offs only twice, losing their semi-finals in 2000 and 2001.
Can new Director of Rugby Dick Muir change the fortunes of the Lions? Can he succeed where accomplished coaches like Laurie Mains, Tim Lane and Frans Ludeke, who have achieved great success elsewhere, struggled to make headway?
The Lions are under pressure to make an impact on the Super 14 and to cease being among the easiest prey for all and sundry. Muir speaks of the workrate and enthusiasm which has characterised pre-season preparation, but in the Super 14 sound work ethic and keenness to perform creditably can take a team only so far.
Will they perform well under the sort of sustained pressure they will experience in every 80-minute encounter? Can they win matches in the intensity of top-flight competition?
Whether they have the core of players who can perform at consistently high standard through the Super 14 is a moot question.
They have five Springboks in their ranks, but Heinke van der Merwe, Jannes Labuschagne (will he play all season or will he retire again?), Lawrence Sephaka, Earl Rose and Henno Mentz are all peripheral to Springbok plans at best - and some of them out of the Bok picture.
Of the potential kingpins, Cobus Grobbelaar is one of rugby's unsung heroes, a perpetual motion flank with an exceptional workrate, but Jano Vermaak has injury problems, and Willem Alberts and Louis Ludik are determined to transfer to the Sharks, despite legal issues.
The acquisition of veteran flyhalf Carlos Spencer is a coup. If he can be the talisman for whom the Lions have been searching, he could spark something special.
Strengths: An experienced, intelligent coach who enjoys credibility among the players and in Carlos Spencer one of the world's great playmakers. A captain who leads by example like few others. Enthusiasm and work ethic.
Weakness: Playing personnel. They just do not have the calibre of players and the depth to match most opposition teams.
Acquisitions: Carlos Spencer, a veteran of 35 Tests for New Zealand (scoring 291 points), played in the Super 12 for the Blues 1996-2005, scoring 608 points. He has been playing for Northampton Saints and then Gloucester in England. He is a wonderfully skilful footballer - but at 34 can he still perform at this level? Springbok wing Tonderai Chavanga (from the Stormers) - electrifyingly quick but injury-prone. Blue Bulls flyhalf Burton Francis and utility back Marius Delport; Emerging Springbok centre Deon van Rensburg (Leopards). From Western Province: George Earle (lock) and Hanyani Shimange (hooker). From the Leopards they have locks Draad Linde and Ryno Landman and flank Thabo Mamojela, and from the Pumas captain and hooker Hannes Franklin and lock Marius Coetzer - but these Leopards and Pumas players may not make the Super 12 squad. Unfortunately for the Lions, Springbok flank Wikus van Heerden does not return from Saracens until 1 July.
Noteworthy losses: The huge loss is Springbok centre Jaque Fourie to the Stormers after an arbitration decision that his contract with the Lions was not binding. Willem Alberts and Louis Ludik have spent the pre-season with the Sharks but have not been granted clearance by the Lions - another contract dispute. Lock Gerhard Mostert (Sharks), Dewald Senekal (Toulon, France), André Pretorius (Western Force), Willie Wepener (Clermont, France), Ernst Joubert (Saracens, England), Ethienne Reynecke (Saracens, England).
Coach: Eugene Eloff was summarily dismissed last year and Dick Muir given a three-year contract as Director of Coaching. After captaining the Sharks, Western Province and the Stormers, and playing centre for South Africa, he has achieved success as Sharks coach and Springbok assistant coach. He has the experience and acumen to get the best out of any team, but with the Lions perhaps he needs a magic wand as well. His assistant coaches are Hans Coetzee, who coached the Lions in the 2009 Currie Cup after Eloff was fired, and former Bok lock Johan Ackermann.
Captain: Cobus Grobbelaar is renowned for his phenomenal workrate and consistent effectiveness as a flank. He has been unlucky never to have played for South Africa, since many players of lesser ability have been awarded Springbok colours over the years. A veteran of 90 provincial games, he has 57 Super caps. Muir describes him as "a proven world class captain".
Potential bolters: Props Gert Muller (23) and JC Janse van Rensburg (just turned 24), could make their mark this year. Van Rensburg played for the SA U19 team which beat New Zealand in the final of the 2005 world championships. Muller has played 14 Super 14 games and Van Rensburg has 13 Super caps. Heinke van der Merwe will be the cornerstone of the front row but these two are real prospects.
2009 Position: 12th
Best finish: 3rd in 2001
Worst finish: 14th in the 2008 S14; 12th in the S12 (1998, 2003, 2004)
Home Venue: Coca-Cola Park (Ellis Park), Johannesburg (capacity 62,000)
Prospects for 2010: Despite one's faith in Dick Muir, it is difficult to conceive the Lions making it into the top half of the standings.
Lions training squad:
Fullbacks: Earl Rose, Michael Killian (or wing)
Wings:
Dusty Noble, Henno Mentz, Tonderai Chavhanga, Wigan Pekeur, Shandre Frolick
Centres: Justin St Jerry, Rouan Cloete, Walter Venter, Deon van Rensburg, Doppies la Grange (or scrum half)
Flyhalves: Carlos Spencer, Burton Francis, Herkie Kruger
Scrumhalves: Jano Vermaak, JP Joubert, Alex Koch, Chris Jonck, Alistair Siegelaar, Doppies la Grange (or centre)
Utility backs: Jannie Boshoff, Alwyn Hollenbach, Bernardo Bitha, Trompie Nontshinga, Wandile Mjekevu
Props: Heinke van der Merwe, Gert Muller, JC Janse van Rensburg, Lawrence Sephaka, Kevin Buys
Hookers: Hans van Dyk, Hannes Franklin, Hanyani Shimange, Derek Harwood, Charles Enslie
Locks: Jannes Labuschagne, Jacques Lombaard, Wouter Moore, Franco van der Merwe, Willem Stoltz, George Earle
Loose forwards: Cobus Grobbelaar, Jonathan Mokuena, Derick Minnie, Todd Clever, Thabo Mamojela, Danie Crous
Utility forwards: Nico Luus, Johan van Deventer
Plus: Marius Delport, Earl Lewis, Jody Rose,
Pieter Engelbrecht, Marius Coetzer, Ryno Landman, Draad Linde, Ruan Boshoff, Divan Kotze, Johan Jackson, Warren van Rooyen, Wayne Swart, Ross Geldenhuys, Charl de Plessis, Johan Snyman, Jeffrey Taljaard, Robert Kruger, Thuliphatu Marole, Warren Whiteley, Justin Wheeler, Stephan Kruger, Mina Nassif
(Willem Alberts and Louis Ludik are training with the Sharks but have not been granted clearance by the Lions)
Schedule:
Saturday, February 13: v Stormers, home
Friday, February 19: v Cheetahs, home
Saturday, February 27: v Hurricanes, away
Friday, March 5: v Brumbies, away
Friday, March 12: v Waratahs, away
Saturday, March 20: v Crusaders, away
Friday, March 26: v Highlanders, away
Saturday, April 10: v Reds, home
Saturday, April 17: v Sharks, home
Saturday, April 24: v Bulls, away
Saturday, May 1: v Western Force, home
Saturday, May 8: v Blues, home
Saturday, May 15: v Cheetahs, away
By Len Kaplan
