Lions down disjointed Sharks
10 Jun 2009
The Lions were good value for their 39-3 victory over the Sharks, but the Springboks won’t be shaking in their boots.
This match was always going to gauge where the Lions stood just 10 days from the first Test, more so than it would be about assessing where the Sharks were in their preparation for the Currie Cup, and in that regard the Springboks won’t be too concerned.
The Lions were hardly awful, in fact, their patience through the phases was impressive, while there were solid performances by individuals, most notably centre Jamie Roberts who carried powerfully all night, and scrumhalf Mike Phillips who has now surely cemented his place in the Test line-up. But for most of the match they sorely lacked a killer edge and the creativity that needs to be there if they hope to upset the Springboks.
They improved as the game wore on, but their improvement has to be viewed in context. This was a severely depleted Sharks side lacking quality players in key backline positions. The 36-point deficit will be labelled emphatic by some, but you are naive if you believe you can equate this match to the standard the Lions will face in the Tests.
The Lions attempted to blend the measured with the expansive, and ended up with an ugly hybrid of the two for most of the contest. Their backline attacks were generally far too lateral to trouble the Sharks, and the fact that flyhalf Ronan O’Gara resorted to speculative cross-kicks and grubbers underlined the lack of creativity and incisiveness in the back division.
The Lions signalled their intention to boss the set phases and driving mauls when they opted for a lineout instead of a goal attempt early in the match. They set up three powerful drives until they eventually turned over possession. The Springboks, watching from the stands, would have noted the tactic, as it is sure to be a primary avenue of attack during the Test series.
The next 40 minutes would be characterised by much of the same, as the Lions camped in the Sharks’ red zone, only to be repelled by some determined defence and a spirited breakdown contest. The routine became predictable – they would cough up possession, jog back to the lineout after the clearing kick had found touch, relaunch their attack, only to be turned over once more when a try seemed a certainty.
Much was made of Saturday’s poor showing at the breakdown, and tonight’s performance won’t do anything to dispel a perception that it is a facet of play they are vulnerable in. What amplified their woes is that on Saturday they were devoid of a specialist opensider, whereas tonight they fielded skilled scrapper David Wallace. The Irishman failed to impose himself, and his cause wasn’t helped by the limp performance of his teammates at the tackle point and breakdown.
Skipper Paul O’Connell promised improved physicality in this facet of play. On the evidence of tonight’s performance he won’t be pleased.
Given their absolute domination of possession, and the sheer number of times they got onto the Sharks’ 5m line, they should have led by at least 25 points at the break. Instead, the deficit was just four points – Rory Kockott taking the only scoring opportunity they had – and their ineptitude, particularly at the breakdown, must alarm the Lions’ coaching staff.
Their problems didn’t end there. The scrums, an area of the game the Lions pride themselves on, wasn’t as efficient as they would have hoped either, with Sharks tighthead Jannie du Plessis pressuring Gethin Jenkins throughout their duel.
The black and white wall offered plenty of resistance, but the pressure was incessant, and they were finally breached when the Lions played off the top of a lineout on the 5m line and punched through two phases before hooker Lee Mears powered over from close range. Ronan O’Gara added the extras.
There was a bittersweet moment halfway through the first half which would have further jolted the tourists.
O’Driscoll has been spoken up as a master, and that he might be, but it’s indisputable that he is an ageing master, evident by the fact that his speed eluded him when he most needed it. He intercepted a pass on his 22m and sprinted clear. In his prime, the Lions faithful would have been celebrating the moment O’Driscoll laid hands on the pill, but as he shifted through the gears it became obvious that the once mighty stallion no longer had the speed that was a key feature of his play at the height of his powers.
Sharks youngster Lwazi Mvovo will one day boast to his grandchildren that he hauled in the great O’Driscoll, but it will be a shallow boast.
The half ended as it had started, with the Lions surrendering possession on the Sharks’ tryline, and the tourists trudged down the tunnel looking bewildered.
They did, however, start the second half more purposefully, and scored soon after the restart when Mike Phillips jinked his way through some diabolical defence to score in the corner. O’Gara missed the conversion, but extended the lead to 12 points (15-3) shortly thereafter with a penalty.
The Lions seemed to click into gear thereafter, troubling the Sharks’ defensive line with every foray. A period of sustained pressure yielded another three points to O’Gara.
The Lions were always going to have the upper hand in the back division given the experience they boasted in comparison to the Sharks’ rookies, and it was through here that they scored their third try.
The ball was shifted wide to O’Driscoll, who drew the last defender and offloaded to Luke Fitzgerald, who was left with a clear run in on goal.
Their fourth was the pick of the bunch, Lee Byrne scything through the defence after an overlap had been created by some smart work by his inside backs. O’Gara kicked his fifth goal to take the Lions 32-3 ahead before Jamie Heaslip touched down after the siren to end the contest.
‘Must do better’ should be the assessment in the Lions’ report card. The Springboks won’t be shuddering in fear.
By Ryan Vrede, at King’s Park.
573 Comments
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10 Jun 2009, 17:58 pm
DRAGONS!
10 Jun 2009, 18:00 pm
Go Tjarks!!!!!!
Go South Africa…..
10 Jun 2009, 18:04 pm
maak sag die lions sharkies.
10 Jun 2009, 18:13 pm
die drake sonder kake and
10 Jun 2009, 18:13 pm
and the sharks wuth a few guppies in the team
10 Jun 2009, 18:15 pm
yup pumas mate ill be off soon to watch
will post after
10 Jun 2009, 18:17 pm
eish if only odwa and ryan could have played too
would have been just a little better and felt better with the back 3
poor stefan is in for a torrid night lotsa wind and new wings next to him
10 Jun 2009, 18:19 pm
#6 sharks_lover: Cheers Mate. I am out of here now. Off to watch on the big screen so wont post during the game.
Catch you all later or tomorrow.
GO SHARKS………….GO SHARKS.
10 Jun 2009, 18:20 pm
#7 sharks_lover: sharks will be ok. if they can just hold on defence for the first 20 minutes, they will be in with a chance.
10 Jun 2009, 18:20 pm
#7 sharks_lover: If Odwa and Kanko was there it would have been a huge help. If all 10 Boks were there think we could have taken this Lions side. Will have to see what our Sharks 2nd side can do.
Now really out of here. Go my Sharkies.
10 Jun 2009, 18:22 pm
go sharkies. gotta go. the bulls will support you all the way.
10 Jun 2009, 18:30 pm
#10 Puma:
The Sharks showed what they could do in the S14.
10 Jun 2009, 18:31 pm
Go Sharkies, show these imposters!!!
10 Jun 2009, 18:38 pm
Hell 1:30 am do I watch the game and suffer tomorrow or wake up early and watch the recording?
10 Jun 2009, 18:38 pm
shark fans were crowing about their depth earlier on in the season, why all this trepidation now? Let’s see how good the shark academy lads are…
10 Jun 2009, 18:42 pm
Think I better stay up … Lions to play a tactical game and monster the Sharks later on. The first game that I was ever taken to see was 1974 Lions vs Natal. Hope the Sharks can stay with them but I think that they are too thin in the backline!
10 Jun 2009, 18:42 pm
#14 Nightwalker: Be brave!!!
10 Jun 2009, 18:47 pm
what what is a trobbing head compared to a game of Rugby?
10 Jun 2009, 18:48 pm
ooh spelling already leaving me can’t divorce drinking and rugby!
10 Jun 2009, 18:49 pm
Greetings from O Neills pub, Kings Cross London. Am outnumbered here. Sharks be brave and smash them up front. Hope the crowd will be good, the pack strong, loosies tearaway and the guppies at the back spirit. “Whites of their eyes” chaps!
10 Jun 2009, 18:49 pm
Sterkte aan die Sharks, daar in D’Urban !
10 Jun 2009, 18:52 pm
#20 Heavens Game: Have a Stella on my behalf!!!
10 Jun 2009, 18:55 pm
No “wife beating” here am on Heineken. But will have one for you.
10 Jun 2009, 19:08 pm
Sterkte Tjarkies.
All Saffas behind you tonight!!
10 Jun 2009, 19:11 pm
Hellooooooooo, just made it back to the office in time !!
Go Sharksssssssssss !
10 Jun 2009, 19:13 pm
#24 Ed_the_Lion: The Lions are nervous!
10 Jun 2009, 19:16 pm
Great defence
10 Jun 2009, 19:17 pm
#26 AB Bullsbok: Good. Let them **** themselves.
10 Jun 2009, 19:20 pm
Freegin baie druk deur die Lions… maar Tjarks het goed absorbeer sover !
10 Jun 2009, 19:21 pm
Verdediging hou tot dusver, kan hulle so aanhou?
10 Jun 2009, 19:21 pm
Daai Robberts senter is flippen sterk !
Bokke kort Jacque Fourie teen hom…
Sharks sukkel in die lynstane…
10 Jun 2009, 19:21 pm
Snorre, WO op binnesenter om vir Jamie uit die game te duik.
10 Jun 2009, 19:22 pm
O ja, naand vrinne…
10 Jun 2009, 19:22 pm
#31 grootblousmile: Jaque sal vir hom vasvat. Net so groot en sterk. Adi kan laaste 30 minute kom drieë druk laat dit gons.
10 Jun 2009, 19:22 pm
Watch online at http://p2pstation.net/rugby.html
10 Jun 2009, 19:23 pm
#33 grootblousmile: Sorry man. Naand GrootBlouSmile. Lyk my jy werk hard.
10 Jun 2009, 19:24 pm
Ai Stefan….
10 Jun 2009, 19:24 pm
En dit is hoekom ek sê Ludik of Zane!!!
10 Jun 2009, 19:24 pm
rubbish from terblanche, missed opportunity to relieve the pressure
10 Jun 2009, 19:24 pm
#33 grootblousmile: Naaaaand!
10 Jun 2009, 19:25 pm
#36 Ed_the_Lion: Ja jong… gejaag deur die reen huistoe vanaf Pretoorsdorp….
10 Jun 2009, 19:26 pm
#41 grootblousmile: Jy betyds, so alles goed.
10 Jun 2009, 19:26 pm
#38 Ed_the_Lion: Ludik is uit vir moontlik die res van die jaar met ‘n moooooooosa kniebesering.
10 Jun 2009, 19:26 pm
Naand aan al die blou bulle en ander rugbykenners !
10 Jun 2009, 19:26 pm
Hierdie ouens se bal beheer is moesa goed.
10 Jun 2009, 19:26 pm
kockott now also showing just why he isn’t good enough to be a springbok yet
10 Jun 2009, 19:27 pm
#43 grootblousmile: Ja jong. Dit is sad vir my as ‘n Leeu,nou dink ek Zane moet die Groen en Goud dra.
10 Jun 2009, 19:28 pm
#44 BDB: Ek sien myself as ‘n rugbykenner, so naand BDB.
10 Jun 2009, 19:28 pm
Sien die Lions willie pale toe nie… hulle wil driee druk
10 Jun 2009, 19:30 pm
Goeie skop Stefan
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