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, 22:03 pm
I have no doubt in what the Bok team should be now that i have seen the Lions main test team
There is no doubt , Nokwe , Rose and bekker should not have been there
Their places should have been taken by ,Kirchner , BJ and Brussouw
But unfortunately our selectors are one track minded and this is probably going to hurt us bad in the series
15 F Steyn
14 JP Pietersen
13 J Fourie
12 JD Villiers
11 B Habana
10 M Steyn / Ruan
09 F Dup
08 P Spies
07 J Smith
06 S Burger
05 V Matfield
04 B Botha
03 J Smit
02 B Dup
01 T mtawarira
16 G Steenkamp
17 D Carstens
18 D Russouw
19 R kankowski
20 A Jacobs
21 W olivier
22 R Pienaar / M Steyn
I believe Ruan should cover 9 as well and J Smit should cover Hooker as well as TH
10 Jun 2009, 22:04 pm
#335 gunther: Is that a headline from local paper?
10 Jun 2009, 22:04 pm
#332 saffa_guy: I agree. The guys need to work through injuries, bumps & bruises.
3 Tests against the Lions is a long road.
10 Jun 2009, 22:05 pm
#338 carol: Don’t make those kind of promises. Give no quarter, take no prisoners. Bye !
10 Jun 2009, 22:06 pm
#350 SodaJoe:
Seems like O’ Gara is gonna be the BIL 10
O’Gara has a pretty decent boot on him
Very tactical
Hope we play Steyn at 15 to return those kicks
10 Jun 2009, 22:06 pm
#336 saffa_guy:
Very True. Their tight-five has struggled to dominate other than the scrum. The WeePee loosies will give them all sorts of troubles.
10 Jun 2009, 22:07 pm
Cant say this enough
we are going to miss BJ here bigtime as well as kirchner and brussouw
10 Jun 2009, 22:08 pm
#336 saffa_guy: Bud, your assumption that we will win the collisions is ambitious. These are very big men we’re playing against and strong and fast.
I assumed that we would win on pace, they are also fast.
I am starting to get very nervous.
Hopefully we are getting wake up calls every night.
I also think that Shaun Edwards defensive lines are genius, and being executed brilliantly.
10 Jun 2009, 22:08 pm
#345 saffa_guy: One can always mortgage the house
10 Jun 2009, 22:08 pm
#348 JimT:
Suspect the Lions long season may count in SA favour
Injuries taking its toll already
A fresh team Vs a potentially tired team
Reckon advantage SA
10 Jun 2009, 22:09 pm
#328 sharks_lover: Jeez, Boet just answered your post then when hitting the sumbit button it just vanished!!!!!!! hehehe. Fingers going to get tired from all the typing. LOL.
I agree 100%. Without our Boks it was no contest. WE all knew that. The ones that have anything to say well let them. We also don’t have any warm up games with the Boks? Which coach would do that? Very daft from PdV. He should have released our Boks for this game. I said it all week. At least we would have faced them with our 10 Boks from the Sharks and had some sort of view of what to expect. Was very daft not to release our Boks for the Sharks. Supporters were very, very disappointed. Tank always full house. Sad to see it 1/4 full with a international game. Then we vote with our feet. Don’t select the Sharks best and we wont go.
Saying all that above. It took them a long time to get going againtst us. Think they will need a lot more than that to beat the Boks. The only thing that worries me is no game time at all. Very daft of PdV not to have a warm up game for the Boks. Also to bring the Boks to sea level to train when he never had to do that. Boks should still be training in Fourways at altitude. Should only have brought them to Durban next Thursday. No humidity to get used. Well they now here since Tuesday. Think we missed something by not training at altitude.
10 Jun 2009, 22:10 pm
#358 SodaJoe:
Have to own up
Regular Prozac user
So take the extreme optimism with a pinch of salt
10 Jun 2009, 22:10 pm
#355 saffa_guy: Nah – I don’t think so. Jones will be at 10 with Phillips. Wales combo at 9, 10, 12.
Which we may do well to emulate.
8. Spies
9. FdP
10. Morne (take the points, please take the points)
12. WO
10 Jun 2009, 22:11 pm
#350 SodaJoe: That would be a kicking duel Steyn vs Byrne. Maybe the other players should drop out & let Steyn/Byrne have at it? The longest kick (out of the stadium) wins
10 Jun 2009, 22:11 pm
#360 saffa_guy: aye.
10 Jun 2009, 22:12 pm
#332 saffa_guy:
Ek reken die bokke moet in die games speel. Die lions se toets spelers speel en kan seer kry en hulle speel meer games as ons manne voor die toetse. Nie net sal dit ons bokke game-skerp maak nie dit sal waarde gee aan die geld wat die toeskoers op die oomblik betaal. Maar ek dink die grootste waarde om die die bokke vir hul provinsies te laat speel is dat jy die lions wen en hulle van hul game afgooi en hulle ritme en selfvertroue in die grond in trap.
En dan laaste en my grootste rede is dat alle lande ‘n verantwoordelikheid teenoor die sport rugby. Soos hulle se, die game is groter as die man wat speel en so is die game ook groter as enige land wat daaraan deelneem. ‘n Toer is meer as net die toetse en om jou beste spelers te laat speel vir hulle provinsies kry jy die maksimum uit die toer wat op die ou end die belangrikste is vir die game. En as ons eerlik wil wees sal 1 of 2 beserings geen waarde of kwaliteit van die toetse af trek nie.
10 Jun 2009, 22:12 pm
#364 JimT: And who would bet against either?
10 Jun 2009, 22:12 pm
#361 Puma: meant = submit.
10 Jun 2009, 22:13 pm
Springboks are getting soft, I can see it in their eyes, and in their hairstyles, they getting far too soft far too soon, they gonna come into this cauldron undercooked and get a rugby lesson if they not careful.
Jenkins/Sheridan/Murray/Vickery vs Smit/Gurthro/Beast with Carstens as backup, thats one way traffic already
O’Connel/Shaw/Jones vs Botha/Matfield/Bekker/Roussouw we are on par or perhaps a shade in front
Croft/Worsley/Wallace/Jones/Powell/Heaslip vs Burger/Smith/Spies/Kankowski/Roussouw – even stevens
Phillips/Blair vs FdP/January – even stevens
Hook/Jones/O’Gara vs Pienaar/M.Steyn – Lions dominate
Roberts/D’Arcy/Fluty/O’Driscoll vs JdV/Jacobs/Fourie/Steyn – even stevens and Lions much slicker on attack.
Full Back Byrne vs Who the f’ck knows – Lions come up trumps
Wings – depends who bosses the midfield
10 Jun 2009, 22:14 pm
#358 SodaJoe:
Using Southern Hemisphere (SH) EOYT 2008 as a reference
All three SH were very dominant at the breakdowns and collisions
Apart from Ireland, did not see much else in the 6N that was on a similiar level to what the SH produced on EOYT 2008
Maybe i’m to biased
10 Jun 2009, 22:14 pm
Cheers ppl. Sorry Sharks. Not easy playing the best team from the B & I Lions against a under strength Sharks team.
10 Jun 2009, 22:14 pm
#355 saffa_guy: I’m not so sure, Jones may get the call. He’s more used to playing with Phillips & Roberts. Plus his defense is stronger.
10 Jun 2009, 22:15 pm
#369 skopskiet: aye
The wtf knows also scares me.
10 Jun 2009, 22:16 pm
#372 JimT: aye
10 Jun 2009, 22:16 pm
#360 saffa_guy: Yep, we knew that before starting out. Halfpenny is a good example. But that’s usually true for any touring side.
10 Jun 2009, 22:16 pm
#356 lightie: WeePee loosie wont give anybody trouble if they go backwards at 100m/h in the scrums.
If you put 2days sharks against saturdays weepee – who do you think will win and what will the score be.
10 Jun 2009, 22:17 pm
#361 Puma: exactly mate
Did you hear the commentators talking about how the bulls would have beat the lions because steyn would have kept the ball in their 22???
they are so thick they cant even understand the sharks are without 10 players and if the balls played the lions they too would have been without atleast 10
but then again garth wright has always hated the sharks with his little moron small brain mind
10 Jun 2009, 22:18 pm
#371 Ed_the_Lion: Cheers mate catch you 2morrow
10 Jun 2009, 22:18 pm
#372 JimT:
9. Phillips
10. Jones
11. Bowe
12. Roberts
13. BOD
14.
15. Byrne
Good backline. Forgot the other wing.
10 Jun 2009, 22:19 pm
#363 SodaJoe:
I’m a big Welsh fan and admirer of Jones
With O’Gara having played two matches with Roberts and BOD on his outside (likely test midfield) make me think its the Irishman
10 Jun 2009, 22:19 pm
#369 skopskiet: Agreed, although not really on the locks or centres. Also you can’t really make the call on how the Boks will play but that Lions front row is formidible.
10 Jun 2009, 22:19 pm
#363 SodaJoe: Great minds think alike Soda, that’s my bet for the Lions selection.
10 Jun 2009, 22:19 pm
#363 SodaJoe: i dont understand how so many people want WO in the starting line up,sure he’s been great this season but compared to JDV he’s still a rookie.and should and probably will be on the bench .
10 Jun 2009, 22:19 pm
#372 JimT: maybe the injury roberts picked up when a few sharks hit him will send him home lol
10 Jun 2009, 22:20 pm
#367 SodaJoe: Now that’s a problem
10 Jun 2009, 22:20 pm
#369 skopskiet:
Praat Pish. Grammar and content. The Bok-less Provinces have already exploited the rucks, what do you think is going to happen come test time?
10 Jun 2009, 22:22 pm
The Sharks were sad tonight. All defence and nothing else – just like during the super 14 – they never even tried to be positive and play – that is why they won’t even smell the curry cup this year.
I do not think Plumtree is up to it.
They need a coach who has a bit of imagination on attack in order to succeed.
Plumtree has none.
And Mr Goody Goody Gumdrops the captain should get the sack as soon as possible.
Give the job to Rory.
At least he got some backbone and spirit.
10 Jun 2009, 22:23 pm
#369 skopskiet: thats a rubbish comment and you know it!
10 Jun 2009, 22:23 pm
#383 mbaxman93: Max. I was illustrating the Bulls combination and how it compares to the potential Lions.
Not necessarily my personal position.
Personally I don’t rate WO or JdV so much. I think Francois Steyn is an intimidating powerful presence at 12. But that’s just me.
And goodness knows what we are going to do at 15.
Oi Vey.
10 Jun 2009, 22:24 pm
#379 SodaJoe: Agree with that lineup. The #14 could be Monye or Fitzgerald. Don’t think Williams will make it.
10 Jun 2009, 22:24 pm
The Sharks key area of weakness is more Plumtree than anything else
Even at full strength, Sharks have been lacking incisiveness on attack
Seem very cramped and disjointed
More a coaching matter than personnel matter imo
10 Jun 2009, 22:25 pm
#377 sharks_lover: Garth Wright is just so brilliantly stupid it is unreal. Crikey was he commentating? I could hardly hear at was at the clubhouse. Just please I missed his commentating. Stupid bugger.
Really Bulls would have felt just the same as us. No 10 Boks Bulls would have been the same. No matter what one says. Only a good brain tells you that. We need our best to play this side. This is the side that will play the Boks. So the ones that had anything to say against a very young under strength side better get real. Our Boks are under cooked no game time and it would have been good to have our Boks for the Sharks game. At least they would have known what we needed to get ready. See 1974 coming here. Just hope we play our best against this side. Must say this very under strength Shark side kept them out for long periods. A full strength Boks side even without a warm up game wont be as easy.
10 Jun 2009, 22:26 pm
#384 sharks_lover: Now that would a pity. I’m sure you want to play against the best?
10 Jun 2009, 22:26 pm
#376 Balletjies:
Front foot ball at scrum does not equate to quick ball at rucks. That is a good looking backrow and will be their Lion counterparts their biggest challenge yet.
10 Jun 2009, 22:26 pm
#391 saffa_guy:
Yip, he is the problem.
An overrated Kiwi, our Mr Plumtree.
Time for him to go home.
10 Jun 2009, 22:26 pm
#387 cris:
Yep, Plumtree still seems to be stuck in the pressure and counter attack of errors mindset
It work a wonder in 2007
The game has changed dramatically since then
Now, the winner must make the plays
10 Jun 2009, 22:27 pm
#386 lightie: And you think that Schalk will do a Brussouw on the ground?
10 Jun 2009, 22:27 pm
of = from
10 Jun 2009, 22:27 pm
The sharks simple lost the collusions, they were also out numbered at the break downs and “brutalized”, they were outgunned, BUT I just dont see the Boks being out done even with Burger at 6.
Burger should then win us the collusions in order to justify his inclusion ahead of Luke and Brussouw
10 Jun 2009, 22:27 pm
#376 Balletjies:
WP are going to give these Lions a game on Saturday, not like the little breeze in the park one way traffic you saw tonight. Watch.
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