Lions’ woes gives Kings credibility
15 Mar 2010
Hennie le Roux believes it will take at least four years until the Lions can compete at Super Rugby level.
Friday’s 73-12 hiding from the Waratahs was another embarrassment for the once-proud union. Two out of five matches this season they’ve conceded over 70 points, while 29 tries have also been scored against them, making them the worst defensive unit in the competition.
Coach Dick Muir is clearly trying to get the players to play a brand of rugby that doesn’t suit them. The Lions have no current top internationals in their squad, but even without the big names, there is no excuse for the lack of a plan and not being competitive.
Muir has failed to instill structure on attack or defence, and the results have been patent as the players lack a clear plan.
‘Psychologically, the players must be confused,’ former Lions flyhalf Le Roux told keo.co.za. ‘But the key thing for me is why the Lions don’t have one Springbok in their side.’
Le Roux retired after the 2000 season, when the Cats ended fourth on the Super 12 log and lost to the Brumbies in the semi-finals.
‘In 2000, the financials at the union read that there was R88 million available. Now you’ll find that’s very different [in 2007 the GLRU generated operating losses of R14.839 million].
‘In the last eight or nine years they’ve bought the wrong players and have been doing the wrong things. Now they’ve got players at the bottom of the barrel.
‘Climbing out of this hole could take another four to eight years. You can’t get into the top six in this competition without at least three or four Boks.’
No international in the peak of his career would want to go to the Lions, as proved by Carl Hayman and Simon Shaw rejecting offers, while Jaque Fourie left last year as he looked to get out of the losing culture in Johannesburg. The lack of pride shown by the players in the Sydney massacre also suggests many problems within the camp, while Muir’s purchase of Carlos Spencer was a poor one – continuing with the trend of recent years.
However, Le Roux believes the problems have been caused by those higher up.
‘For me, the problem is much deeper than taking a pot-shot at the players. Dick’s purchases depend on his views and the player must fit in with the game-plan. I hope Carlos is still good enough but we can’t blame this all on him.’
As another long season awaits, the Lions’ long-term involvement in the competition as a single entity must be questioned. With the Southern Kings looking for a spot in the Super 15, the best option would see the Cats franchise revisited.
In 2000 and 2001 the Cats – comprising of players from the Cheetahs and Lions – made the play-offs.
‘There’s no doubt it’s a bit of a stretch for the Lions to come back and be the union they once were,’ said Le Roux. ‘Decisions need to be made for the long-term, and not for next week.’
Although the current administration sit with the problems of the last decade caused by their predecessors, CEO Manie Reyneke and president Kevin de Klerk must take the blame for Muir’s appointment. There was no continuity or planning from the Currie Cup to the Super 14, and the outcome is the Lions again fighting for the wooden spoon.
Le Roux was critical of the union’s past administration, and feels it will be difficult to rectify the situation in the near future, giving further credibility to Kings’ inclusion in place of the Lions.
‘These results are disappointing to say the least. It’s evident the union was run by people incompetent in their particular industry. It has long-term knock-on effects, and the current administration are still feeling it. There have been changes in the last six months, but the downward spiral has been to such an extent that it’s difficult to get traction.
‘Friday’s result is a manifestation of what’s been happening for the last decade.’
By Grant Ball
81 Comments
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15 Mar 2010, 11:51 am
Lions fans here on Keo,
are generally speaking,
a Better Class of fan than some of the other Franchises.
Redlion being the exception to that generalisation.
15 Mar 2010, 11:56 am
Lions should open the cheque books and buy:
CJ Van Der Linde
Hanyani Shimange
Francois Van Der Merwe
Ernst Joubert
Joe Van Niekerk
Derick Hougaard
Marius Joubert
Brent Russell
15 Mar 2010, 11:59 am
Wolfman, will be honest there are EXPATS that only like SA Bashing,,, there are that still support the need for change I prefer the latter. I think we do however agree there has to be some changes made to the current franchise system, however I don’t think changing the Lions to another name will make the difference that is required, this franchise is in need of a huge paradigm change, perhaps send the current bunch of administrators and coaches off to planet Zanussi to start a rugby team…..
15 Mar 2010, 12:00 pm
Puff , where they going to get the money ?
15 Mar 2010, 12:01 pm
@cane: Post 50.
Redlion……………….That was not a serious post …………………..so remove the needle from the ******* doll’s shoulder right now.
please.
15 Mar 2010, 12:05 pm
@cane: 43
Perhaps your newspaper has the stats as they were BEFORE the weekend’s fixtures, where Stormers picked up 37 points (+ 103 = 140) against the Canes.
Use it, don’t use it.
15 Mar 2010, 12:06 pm
@puff: This is a bunch of has-beens if ever…Joe the only one playing decent rugby…I suppose the Lions could do no worse..?
15 Mar 2010, 12:07 pm
@Thistle: There are certainly some Expats who enjoy bashing SA, as there are many South Africans who also enjoy bashing the country. Polite dinner time conversation in SA often tends to focus on the weaknesses of the country and ineptitude of the government.
I think that SARU should have said last year that for the start of the Super 15 they are going to investigate the franchising for the competition and assign five franchises to regions in South Africa. They should have stated that this will be done under a variety of criteria and each region(s) that wants a franchise should apply. For all I care, one criterium could be “Transformation” or something along those lines. Then they could have figured out whether the Eastern Cape Dragons can have a successful team and who should not have a franchise.
15 Mar 2010, 12:08 pm
@cane: My only worry is how you got a lock of hair.
15 Mar 2010, 12:11 pm
@WOLFMAN21: Should read how HE got a lock of YOUR hair.
15 Mar 2010, 12:12 pm
I have two Lions jerseys for sale, one CC one and a Super14 SAA sponsored one. Buy both and get a Lions cap for free. Money will be used towards a Stormer jersey.
Jerseys: R200 each
Cap: R50
Shipping in RSA free if you buy both otherwise R50 for Speed Services.
15 Mar 2010, 12:12 pm
@cane: pretty soon I will be the only Lion left standing. Gone are the other senior Lions like hmmm, cab, grrr who was a Lion, ned, etc.
15 Mar 2010, 12:15 pm
@Grrrr….I used to be a Lion!: 60 – give it to Dawn, she is a true Lion.
15 Mar 2010, 12:16 pm
@RedLion: Sorry bru….
15 Mar 2010, 12:22 pm
let’s face it, most of the side aren’t even proven CC performers. What was everyone expecting to happen?
The fact that the lions go through coaching staff every couple of season’s, when everyone knows that it’ll probably take a 4-5 year turnaround can’t help matters very much.
also the fact that they can’t hold on to their best players is another issue.
15 Mar 2010, 12:23 pm
@4thWiseMan:
Thank You 4th Wise Man. Your explanation taken into consideration with publishing deadlines, time zones, the orbital oscillation of this, Gods Great Blue Masterpiece and Editorial ineptitude makes perfect sense.
(Unfortuneately I cannot retrieve my E-Mail to the Editor of the Newspaper in question).
15 Mar 2010, 12:23 pm
Ironically, on closer analysis, you’ll probably find Ludeke produced the best results in his time with the lions.
15 Mar 2010, 12:26 pm
@<a href="#comment-1541453RedLion:
Last man standing.
Where the Badge with honour.
15 Mar 2010, 12:39 pm
R300 for the lot…?
15 Mar 2010, 12:48 pm
Just been told the price for jumping ship is to give away old kit for free.
It feels wrong to be that cruel though….
15 Mar 2010, 12:53 pm
@Grrrr….I used to be a Lion!: keep those jerseys, they may become priceless if the beautiful go extinct.
15 Mar 2010, 13:19 pm
I feel your pain puff but some of your proposed acquisition would be astronomical in terms of price especially looking at position Lions are lying at both literally/figuratively.Most marquee players would only go to Lions for over-bloated price ala:Man City.
These are my suggestions(plus a few bargains who are quality players)
1. Heinke Van Der Merwe
2. Hanyani Shimange
3. Kevin Buys
4. Wilhelm Steenkamp
5. Francois Van Der Merwe
6. Johan van Deventer
7. Wikus Van Heerden (captain)
8. Ashley Johnson
9. Jano Vermaak
10. Burton Francis/Earl Rose
11. Bjorn Basson
12. Walter Venter
13. Juan de Jongh
14. Tonderia Chavhanga
15. Brent Russell
16. Deon Carstens
17. Richardt Strauss
18. Jacques Lombaard
19. Todd Clever/Derrick Minnie
20. Jacques Coetzee
21. Marius Delport
22. Earl Rose/Francis
15 Mar 2010, 13:24 pm
I think headlines like these pop up when this website doesn’t have anything positive to add and want to stir up some news.
First of all when a team does poorly there is always the “off with their heds” call whether its the coaching staff or now dropping a team from the competition.
Memories are short in rugby. Only a few years ago the Bulls were the worst team ever in the competition having 500 points drilled past them in a single season, finishing last. I don’t think the Lions have ever finished last either – they haven’t won it twice like the Bulls either – were inaugural Super Ten winners. No one called for the axing of the Bulls, or amalgamting them with another team. Things that would have damaged them and look where they are today.
If any other SA team were to come into Super rugby, the last placed SA S14 team should play a home & away leg promotion/relegation game. If this “new” team can’t even beat the Lions, why persevere?
There is still a lot of rugby to be played in this competition and these speculations ALWAYS come too early. The tunnel looks pretty dark for the Lions but they have always been underdogs and have absolutely nothing to lose for the rest of the Super 14. They wont finish last this year of that I’m sure and will once again prove to be their own worst enemy.
15 Mar 2010, 13:34 pm
On another note, wonder if Heineke had got the coaching job if he would have lured D Hougaard from Saracens, they are such big buddies.
The Lions are without a reliable number 10, the basis of a good team. Short a lock, Mr Stolz is a 3 penalties a game player and Jacques Lombaard not getting more time in the starting VX has my puzzled.
There is hope with the likes of Elton Jantjies, Jaco Taute and Earl Lewis waiting to gain experience and play for the Lions in years to come.
15 Mar 2010, 13:44 pm
**** has had a measure of success with several rugby clubs or unions. He can’t have suddenly become a bad coach. Surely the fact that the last few Lions’ head coaches have all been successful elsewhere but have all failed at the Lions means that the problem is not the coaches but the union itself. The Ellis Park management must take the blame.
15 Mar 2010, 13:56 pm
Rose/Burton = k@k …. you need a quality 10. Shimange = hond k@k …
15 Mar 2010, 14:06 pm
at times like this I wish I was Hancock. I would fly over to training session right now, kick Rose between his match sticks and let him chew on some new sweets. Then I would slap off his scrum cap and shove his head up Chavanga’s ***!
You can bet your life that no player wearing a red jersey will want to lose another match.
15 Mar 2010, 15:29 pm
Only in SA will some people want to replace a team doing badley with a team that does not even exist … for crying out loud.
.. then try a deguise it as development … who is going to play for the spears / kings … imports .. many from the lions.
I have no problem if the kigs / spears exist and then beat the lions in 2 promotion / relegation games.
The lions board has to carry most of the blame .. the players don’t chose themselves, and they put the **** coach there. **** is the wrong man for the job .. especialy when you could have had HM.
The fact the a player like earl rose is on the bench, or the starting 15 says it all about the lions. Nobody has ever tried to pouch him and get away with a loop hole in the contract .. he is worth more to every other team in the lions ‘team’
15 Mar 2010, 22:05 pm
I think **** is a good coach- but he is not a good director of rugby for oputting structures in. I thnk when he took teh job, he expected the absolute basics to be there, and did not realise that he would need to build an entirely new union from the ground up, with the stone around his neck of hitting red tape at every turn from a bunch of amateur gravy train freeloaders with hidden agendas. Hell, I am not sure even Heyneke could do this.
At least he had the support of teh unions administrators behind him. I swear that the pst CEO should be sured to give back any money that was pad to him. his affairs and leadership should be investigated and put into a textbook of how NOT to run a business.
What is that d00s doing now? I am sure there are a few ex-supporters that would like to firebomb his shop right now.
16 Mar 2010, 01:29 am
@RedLion:
I’ll be with you, RedLion.
You NEVER, EVER, abandon your team, no matter how tough times are.
You just hope and pray that someone in charge has the sense, the will and the fight to get on with the job of re-building from the ashes.
16 Mar 2010, 01:36 am
@mshiniwami:
I’m always amazed when Chavanga is seen as someone to retain.
Her may have speed but he lac ks every other attribute…good hands, vision, side step, tackling ability, a boot.
No, he should be at the starting line of the 100m sprint, not on a rugby field.
He’s ****, and epitomises the poor buying decisions made by the Lions. Lose class like Habana, van Niekerk, Jantjes, Fourie, Alberts, even Ludik, over the years, replace it with rubbish like Chavanga.
And surely, surely, Doppies is now seen for what he always has been…a journeyman out of his depth at this level.
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