But he hasn’t, and the thing that got me to change was the fact that he was physically dominated by everybody (even backline players at times)….

Gosh he really shows a passion on the field and you always get the impression that he is giving 150% every min of the game and I love to see him running around on the field….

I even said after the 2nd 3n game that if the other bigger more physical players had half of Solly’s heart they would have been awesome….

Even said I will pick Solly just for his presence, but unfortunately it can’t work that way….

Unfortunately Solly’s efforts seem so ineffective on the pitch…..

He has never t/o a standout amount of ball at any level, he is not a hard man, great tackler, strong runner, great carrier of the ball, etc…..but he has speed and passion….

So if he can work on his physicality then I am sure he will win back the trust of all and sundry….

He also said ahead of the tests he was in his best physical condition ever, etc, etc. Jake gave him the game time needed (almost 3 full games) and was nowhere, ranked (by a long shot) the worst loosie in the 3n….

If it is game time that he needs, what is wrong with club rugby?

I wish Solly all the best in the Future.. i hope he comes back better than ever with this fresh start..

Good Luck Solly

I’m pretty sure it was merely a response to a reporter’s question around the time when Jake claimed that Solly was the best. And Solly most likely said something to the effect of vindicating Jake’s faith in him.

Don’t fall for this whole player-bashing fad that I mentioned in post no. 10. Journalists will do anything for a contraversial soundbyte. And muppets here on keo have even less scruples (and responsibilities) when it comes to presenting the truth.

Do you have inside info, or are you just speculating? My view is that Brent must get out of there as quickly as possible, for his own good. He is neither wanted, apparently needed, or appreciated.

Time to move on.

As awesome as Russell is on attack, I doubt that he will stand his ground in the midfield…..

It was on here, I know I still posted stats to prove his view point wrong. Revealing that he was the worst loosie in the 3N, etc.

So was the journo miss quoting Solly when he said then that he was the best opensider in SA and the man for the job.

I have not got the best memory around, but a remember a fair deal, but could be wrong.

Anybody to back me on this?

well said, couldnt have put it better myself, i’ve watched solly since he played school rugby, he showed great potential then, if he can just concetrate on his game and show the hunger that he had when he still played school rugby and another thing rugby players should cut down on booze, parties & women because rugby is a very physical game and we(spectators) can see when u’re overdoing (parties),advice to solly.by the way saw lawrence “scared to crash” sephaka the weak prop @ newscafe’ rosebank.

Ok so Baywatch is quite heavier than the other two, but Solly has the height over all them and surely can make that up.

Just the fact that his is clearly the tallest but quite the lighter alone spells out that he seems expect the game to suit him and not the other way around

And it is not confidence, cozz to this very site he said that he is def the best opensider in the country. That does not sound like a person who lacks confidence.

And they managed to turn over ball against all the big team:

WP 1st game Lions won the battle on the ground, but lost it in the carry. Luke then changed his attention to general play where he actually did very well that game in thet respect I must say.

Cheetahs 2nd game, in spite of Kabamba starting they turned over almost every tackled ball way into the 2nd half.

Bulls, against Lobberts, Kuun and P3 the Bulls had very little ball to play with and AP put every ball t/o away

Sharks, Kankowski, Botes and AJ they t/o 3 times as much ball and handling let them down again. But even in the last 5 min when the Sharks needed one score to win the and Bernard came on for Baywatch they t/o 5 balls in the last 5 min. Now imagine, the Lions t/o the ball, kick it out or just clear it, get to the play of the ball and then t/o again.

Now come-on now…..

Besides, the Lions have two of the best grinders on the floor in the comp (Baywatch and Bernard).

Together they turned over more ball over than any other team game after game.

It was shown over the last weekend that a good big guy will always beat a good little guy, so why doesn’t he gym himself into that category.

Ricane summed it up quite well……he seems to get to where he is needed..but when there he was ineffective……

He is just not confrontational….a ball will rather be taken from him than he would take a ball…..

Come ruck time he bashes into players 3/4 times at one ruck and no one budges…..

I think an off season at the gym, working on real strength will do him well……he has lots of speed so he can afford to get bigger at the expense of some…..

He only looked good in one game, vs. Aus at Ellis park. Against NZ, in the N/hemi, even against Arg he was out of his depth (2/3 months after his Aus test).

Jake communicated on to the public that Solly has been advised that he needs to graft on his physicality in the game, seems just as week as ever.

That leaves me to wonder really how serious he is in DOING what is actually needed for him to make the team or an impact. Making statements in the media that he really wants to get his career on track means absolutely squat on the rugby field. What he needs, is to do the talking in the gym and then on the field, even if it starts at club level for RAU again, then I will agree that he is serious about getting is career on track.