Lions’ pride re-groups
Dick Muir has met with the Lions players for the first time this week ahead of their Super 14 preparations.
In juggling his responsibilities with the Lions and the Springboks, Muir met the Lions players on Monday ahead of their first group training session of the year. Muir, the Lions’ new director of coaching and Super 14 coach, will fly out on Tuesday with the Bok dirt-trackers side.
The Lions have convened with an expanded 50-man squad ahead of the southern hemisphere tournament, that will be enlarged further by Heinke van der Merwe, Earl Rose (Springboks), Draad Linde, Rynard Landman, Thabo Mamojele (all Leopards), as well as Hannes Franklin and Marius Coetzer (Pumas) – who will join the squad later this month and in December.
Louis Ludik (three months), Jano Vermaak (two to three months), Earl Lewis (two to three weeks), Gert Muller (six to eight weeks), Tonderai Chavhanga (three to four weeks) and Johan Snyman (three to four months) are all currently injured or undergoing rehab.
Meanwhile, as reported on keo.co.za last week, it was also confirmed that Johan Ackermann will take up his role as forwards coach from this week. While Muir is away, Ackermann, Hans Coetzee and fitness coach Dr Gerhard Jordaan will look after the squad.
Lions training squad –
Forwards: JC Janse van Rensburg, Kevin Buys, Wayne Swart, Lawrence Sephaka, Ross Geldenhuys, Charl de Plessis, Hans van Dyk, Derek Harwood, Nico Luus, Wouter Moore, Franco van der Merwe, Jannes Labuschagne, Jacques Lombaard, Jeffrey Taljaard, Willem Alberts, Cobus Grobbelaar, Jonathan Mokuena, Derick Minnie, Johan van Deventer, Robert Kruger, Danie Crous, Thuliphatu Marole, Warren Whiteley, Justin Wheeler, Stephan Kruger, Mina Nassif.
Backs: Alex Kock, Chris Jonck, Herkie Kruger, Ruan Boshoff, Divan Kotze, Jody Rose, Allistair Siegelaar, Dusty Noble, Michael Killian, Henno Mentz, Johan Jackson, Wigan Pekeur, Jannie Boshoff, Justin St Jerry, Pieter Engelbrecht, Alwyn Hollenbach, Doppies la Grange, Rouan Cloete, Shandre Frolick, Warren van Rooyen, Walter Venter, Marius Delport, Deon van Rensburg, Burton Francis.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:42 pm
#49 Lions_Soutie: We’ve had a prop that bites, an now a hooker that bites. Gives new meaning to being mauled by lions.
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:42 pm
I too cannot wait for the final squad to be named. What is missing is a good hooker but I think that **** is on the ball and will see that we get what we want.
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:46 pm
oh and ROAR!
November 4th, 2009 at 1:10 am
#9 Jozi: I suppose its a good thing Draad’s surname is not Trekker then?
#20 Sharksgirl: There is no such a thing – you either have a contract or not.
Agreeing to agree is just stupid.
Agreeing to talk is a waste of time.
You state up front thatnothing is finalised until it is in writing, you negotiate all the terms and conditions, and you sign the contract. Klaar.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:29 am
A whole lot of froth in that squad give or take a few… going to need Merlin himself to do anything with that bunch!
November 4th, 2009 at 7:29 am
#54 SjamBok: THank you Sjambok, I thought it was a bit crazy!
I just wish they would name all the squads and be done with it! I hate all this uncertainty
November 4th, 2009 at 7:45 am
#52 RedLion: yes, can’t beat a good hooker
November 4th, 2009 at 7:47 am
#42 wp_boytjie: Agree with you 100% You stick with your team through thick and thin, no matter how many times they choke
otherwise you are just a fair weather fan and which team needs those?
November 4th, 2009 at 8:29 am
#51 katman:
Allegedly……
November 4th, 2009 at 9:18 am
#57 Big Hit: You can, but it costs extra!
November 4th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Very little to be excited about with this squad.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:38 am
#54 SjamBok: Bwahahahahaha…oh dear, maybe just maybe that’s where it originated from.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:11 am
I was just pulling Sharks’ legs.
LL and WA will go to arbitration.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:14 am
#63 WilladieLeeu:
You caught this Shark head hook and sinker 
November 4th, 2009 at 10:17 am
#63 WilladieLeeu: Shame on you Willa. You have now been relegated to the Keo scribes’ category of “impeccable sources”
November 4th, 2009 at 10:17 am
#63 WilladieLeeu: gm willa gaan dit goed??
and
i knew it hehehe the 2 players have even signed pre contracts with the sharks, all one can do now is wait and see , let the lat take its course
they had both been very intent on moving
you know whats also funny?
i am on the committee of the official sharks supporters club in pretoria , and johan ackermann is a member of the committee too
and he gonna help coach lions now , but i know where his heart lies
November 4th, 2009 at 10:19 am
#64 Sharksgirl:
sharksgirl
i can tell you now he caught ed die leeu too big time
November 4th, 2009 at 10:26 am
#67 sharks_lover: He he, so Willadieleeu has caught a Shark and a Lion with one hook
November 4th, 2009 at 10:29 am
#68 Sharksgirl: lol yup
hook line and stinker
November 4th, 2009 at 10:41 am
How about a trial between these two teams
15 Earl Lewis - Alwyn Hollembach
14 Tondarai Chavhanga - Dusty Noble
13 Deon van Rensburg - Justin St Jerry
12 Doppies La Grange - Pieter Engelbrecht
11 Michael Killian - Johan Jackson
10 Earl Rose - Burton Francis
9 Jano Vermaak - Chris Jonck
8 Jonathan Mokuena - Derrick Minnie
7 Thabo Mamojele - Justin Wheeler
6 Serge Morole - Johan van Deventer
5 Franco vd Merwe - Draad Linde
4 Jacques Lombard - Joe Snyman
3 Kevin Buys - Ross Geldenhuys
2 Bandise Maku - Hans van Dyk
1 JC Jans van Rensburg - Lawrence Sephaka
Cobus Grobelaar not considered, team captain and he picks himself, same applies to Heinke vd Merwe
November 4th, 2009 at 11:29 am
# 70
bandise maku ?
no willem alberts ?
November 4th, 2009 at 11:34 am
#71 jci: ludick and alberts going to the sharks
November 4th, 2009 at 11:35 am
#71 JCI
Firstly Maku is 4th choice at the Bulls therefore he’s surplus to requirements, Willem Alberts and Louis Ludik are reportedly on their way to the Sharks, besides even if they were available I wouldn’t risk them is a trial match.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
soda here is info on warren whiteley
Full Name Warren Roger
Surname Whiteley
Height 192
Weight 101
Birth Date 18 September 1987
Birth City Durban
Marital Status Single
Favourite Film Gladiator
Favourite Music Everything
Favourite Food Pasta
Primary School Dirkie Uys Primary
Secondary School Glenwwod High
Tertiary Education Sharks Academy