Currie Cup latest (Thurs)
2 Sep 2010
Keo.co.za brings you the news from the Currie Cup.
Ludik, Hargreaves return
John Plumtree has made two changes for the Sharks’ match against the Bulls on Saturday.
The injured pair of Louis Ludik and Alistair Hargreaves return to the starting team at fullback and lock respectively for the Loftus clash.
Sharks – Louis Ludik; Odwa Ndungane, Stefan Terblanche (c), Andries Strauss, Lwazi Mvovo; Patrick Lambie, Charl McLeod; Keegan Daniel, Willem Alberts, Jacques Botes, Alistair Hargreaves, Steven Sykes, Wiehahn Herbst, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: Craig Burden, Eugene van Staden, Michael Rhodes, Skholiwe Ndlovu, Rory Kockott, Andre Pretorius, Riaan Swanepoel.
Mitch commits to Lions
John Mitchell will coach the Lions’ Super 15 and Currie Cup teams for the next three years.
The Kiwi coach has been released from his Western Force contract and will join the Johannesburg union fulltime. Mitchell replaces Dick Muir as the team’s head coach of the Super Rugby franchise, although Muir will remain as the Lions’ director of rugby.
At the Force, Mitchell will be replaced by Wallabies skills coach Richard Graham.
86 Comments
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2 Sep 2010, 10:39 am
Golden Dragon!
2 Sep 2010, 10:45 am
This is a good thing for the Lions. D!ck is useless anyway.
2 Sep 2010, 10:48 am
lets hope they can hold onto there players for the S15 as well…
2 Sep 2010, 10:51 am
There are some rumours doing the rounds that Morne Steyn is negotiating with WP.
What’s happening at the Bulls ?
2 Sep 2010, 10:56 am
where did you hear that dusky? thats not good… i hope WP doesn’t pull a mapoe…
2 Sep 2010, 11:04 am
@daltjie(daltjie)-5: Apparently there are some rumours flying around on facebook.
If the Bulls lose both Fourie Du Preez and Morne Steyn, it really takes the sting out of their tail in a big way. Not good at all for them.
Fourie is only playing until the end of the world cup if I am not mistaken. He has already said he will go overseas after that.
Bulls better go hunting for a flyhalf – they shouldnt have let Jacque Louis go as easily as they did.
2 Sep 2010, 11:12 am
@Dusky(Dusky)-6:
Highly unlikely, he has a contract until 2013 with the Bulls
2 Sep 2010, 11:16 am
I doubt it… The Bulls have sold JLP already to the Sharks. Don’t think they’ll be stupid to let Morne Steyn go!
Also, with all due respect to Steyn… WP shouldn’t go for him! Grant will be back from his stint in Japanland. We need to start giving Cronje a chance to swim with the big fish!
If WP want another 10… I want Brummer!
2 Sep 2010, 11:26 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-7: Yep. Recently re-signed, stating that he looks forward to being one of the senior players when the likes of Fourie, Victor, Bakkies leaves.
2 Sep 2010, 12:09 pm
2 Sep 2010, 12:11 pm
Roar
2 Sep 2010, 12:12 pm
How are whitely and murray doing at lions? where is baywatch,wickus and moekuena? when will they be back?
Sharks backline s15-
15- ludick
14- JP
13- Mapoe?
12- lambie/potgieter
11- mvovo
10- lambie/p0tgieter/pretorius
9- hoffman/kockett/mcleod
Kockett shouldnt be benching.Plum has serious prob with him, cos when on the field kockett is effective.
2 Sep 2010, 12:17 pm
JC you are not doing my Lions any justice with that pathetic article of yours – now as a Blogger here get your writing skills up to scratch write a decent article with a headline worthy of a Lions thread.
2 Sep 2010, 12:25 pm
@RedLion is born again(RL)-13:
Here you go, from your president Kevin de Klerk:
“Since John has been with us on a consultancy arrangement, we have been most impressed with his ability across our entire coaching structure,” said a delighted De Klerk.
“It has been no secret that we wanted to engage John Mitchell on a longer term basis, but we realised this was always going to be subject to the Western Force agreeing to provide him with a release. We are thankful and appreciative that the Western Force gave us the green light.”
“In John we are getting not only a man of high ethics who cherishes the history, culture and camaraderie of rugby but who boasts an exceptional coaching pedigree at the very highest level. We at the Lions are extremely excited at being able to pull this off and look forward to John building on the already very positive impact he has had on the Lions,” added the former Springbok lock.
De Klerk said Lions coach **** Muir had been a part of and conversant with the process of contracting Mitchell. “****, who is obviously now involved with the Springboks, is still the Director of Rugby at the Lions with John as the Head Coach. **** was instrumental in helping us secure the services of John and will play a role in our plans going forward.”
De Klerk said Mitchell would base himself in Johannesburg for the greater part of the year and be in charge of the Lions in both the Absa Currie Cup and the Vodacom Super 15.
Rugby WA (Western Australia) chairman Geoff Stooke said the Western Force and rugby in Western Australia owed a great deal to Mitchell who started with a blank sheet of paper on his arrival six years ago and built a strong foundation for long term success.
Mitchell will be succeeded at the Force by Richard Graham, presently the Wallabies’ skills coach.
A surprise appointee when he was named to coach the Lions in the Currie Cup on a temporary basis in the absence of Springbok assistant **** Muir at the beginning of the season, Mitchell has instilled a new spirit in a Lions team who go into tomorrow night’s crucial Currie Cup match at Coca-Cola Park against traditional foes Western Province on the back of three successive victories.
Mitchell follows in the footsteps of another former All Black coach Laurie Mains who guided the composite Cats to Super 12 semi-finals in 2000 and 2001.
Mitchell has crossed swords with the Springboks on numerous occasions. In 1994 he captained a Waikato side against Francois Pienaar’s touring side that contained Warren Gatland, recently re-appointed as coach of Wales, and other All Blacks in Matthew Cooper, Duane Monkley and Mark Cooksley.
Mitchell’s “Mooloos” were defeated 38-17 by a Springboks side captained by Tiaan Strauss and containing a core of players who wore the red-and-white Lions jersey in their careers in James Small, Chester Williams, Japie Mulder, Hennie le Roux, Johan Roux, Rudolf Straeuli and Johan le Roux.
However as a coach of the All Blacks Mitchell tasted success against his country’s arch-rivals with a 100 percent record of seven wins in seven matches – including a 52-16 drubbing at Loftus Versfeld in 2003 and a comprehensive 29-9 defeat in the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup in Melbourne in 2003.
“Mitch,” as he is known throughout the rugby world, ended up with an All Black coaching record of 23 test wins from 27 games – an 85% winning record, the highest of any All Black coach in the professional era. In addition he coached the All Blacks to five out of five wins in mid-week matches.
His vast coaching pedigree includes stints as Clive Woodward’s assistant with the England team from 1997 to 2000, the Waikato National Provincial Championship side, the Chiefs Super 12 side and most recently taking the difficult job of establishing the Western Force in the Super 14 and creating a rugby union culture in Perth.
As a player Mitchell gained All Black colours on the 1993 tour to Great Britain. He was not capped but played in six victorious mid-week games; captaining the All Blacks on three occasions.
In Waikato he was a legend, having played 134 times and captaining them a record 86 times, in a career highlighted by many other achievements.
“When I took over as president of the Lions I said I was only interested in leading a province of winners,” concluded De Klerk. “The appointment of a coach of John Mitchell’s stature confirms that goal.”
2 Sep 2010, 12:25 pm
Mitch is renowned for letting players suip till they join the AA. The Blacks of 2003 and Force are prime examples.
However the Lions with their poor record cant afford to suip. They are already playing kaka being sober
2 Sep 2010, 12:26 pm
so Dusky how does it feel knowing that JPP and Kanko want to become Lions?
2 Sep 2010, 12:26 pm
I couldn’t be happier for the Lions fans. These guys are true supporters and now they can have something to look forward to. I know everyone writes off the quality in this team, but, as we saw under eloff, they are capable of so much more. I really hope it works out for you guys next year.
2 Sep 2010, 12:27 pm
@chucky(chucky)-12: You are forgetting about Bosman and Adi Jacobs.
2 Sep 2010, 12:28 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-14: So has Mitchell got himself a signed, sealed and delivered Lions contract.
Those are known to be watertight and worth something…
2 Sep 2010, 12:31 pm
@RedLion is born again(RL)-16: Yeah, another Lions wet dream…
2 Sep 2010, 12:32 pm
Great News for the Lions. I wonder if this will attract players to the Union. John Smit should sign a 1 year deal with the Lions next year so that Bismarck can start for the Sharks.
2 Sep 2010, 12:34 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-14: thanks PA, great news that.
2 Sep 2010, 12:38 pm
why on earth would wp even want to consider M Steyn….?
We have enough problems without adding that 1 trick pony….no thanks.
As for Mitchell…..magic news….imo right up there with the best on the planet…this will attract players as well…
Brilliant news for SA Rugby as a whole….and i expect a very powerful Lions team to emerge in next years super 15.
Interesting and exciting times for lions fans…
2 Sep 2010, 12:41 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-19: fyi all Lions players are contracted using the standard SARPA players contract, the same contract that Mapoe has with the FS which gives the middle finger to all future poaching raids.
2 Sep 2010, 12:59 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-4: Well you guys took Hofmann so…
2 Sep 2010, 13:24 pm
Sharks team for Bulls:
15. Louis Ludik
14. Odwa Ndungane
13. Stefan Terblanche (C)
12. Andries Strauss
11. Lwazi Mvovo
10. Patrick Lambie
9. Charl McLeod
8. Keegan Daniel
7. Willem Alberts
6. Jacques Botes
5. Alistair Hargreaves
4. Steven Sykes
3. Wiehahn Herbst
2. Bismarck du Plessis
1. Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements
16. Craig Burden
17. Eugene van Staden
18. Michael Rhodes
19. Skholiwe Ndlovu
20. Rory Kockott
21. Andre Pretorius
22. Riaan Swanepoel
2 Sep 2010, 13:25 pm
Notice number 21…
Andre Pretorius
2 Sep 2010, 13:26 pm
Anybody know the format for the S15 next year?
2 Sep 2010, 13:33 pm
@RedLion is born again(RL)-24: so not a mossie contract then…
2 Sep 2010, 13:35 pm
sharks bulls more appetising than the also rans test.
2 Sep 2010, 13:36 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-26:
Really good pack of forewards there. Strong bench too. Things looking bright in the tank.
Out of interest PA, who do you support? Lions or WP?
2 Sep 2010, 13:36 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-27: Interesting. Would like to see him get a run. Was it you that was raving about Pretorius at the beginning of the Currie Cup??
2 Sep 2010, 13:37 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-4:
How reliable is the source you got it from?
It seems very far fetched to me..
2 Sep 2010, 13:39 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-28: Is it top two go through to knockout round?? Or top team goes through with best runner up joining them?
2 Sep 2010, 13:41 pm
@John Galt(John Galt)-31:
Who do I back for Saturday?
Lions actually!
Who do I generally support?
WP (unfortunately most of the time as they just piss me off).
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-32:
Don’t know about raving but I did say I think it was a clever buy by the Sharks as he can guide their young flyhalfs they have currently.
2 Sep 2010, 13:50 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-35: Oh then it wasnt you. This guy was saying that if Pretorius got some game time he would be the No.1 flyhalf in S.A. Quote “everyone will have him in their teams”.
2 Sep 2010, 13:54 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-36:
Nope that was not me…
2 Sep 2010, 14:19 pm
How much did GLRU pocket from the test @ Soccer City…
Oh & arial shots of Soccer City looks awesome.
2 Sep 2010, 14:19 pm
How much did GLRU pocket from the test @ Soccer City…
Oh & arial shots of Soccer City [at night] looks awesome.
2 Sep 2010, 14:41 pm
this is great news for the lions… well done all round…
mitchell has already had a positive influence on the lions and that influence can only grow…
good stuff if you’re a lions fan… worrying stuff if you’re not…
2 Sep 2010, 15:08 pm
@RedLion is born again(RL)-16: Ag – did your minnow team win a game or two and now you are on here waxing lyrical ?
Lets wait until after this weekend see. I have a feeling WP will bring you back to reality of just how pathetic the Lions really are.
At least Griquas are playing better rugby, otherwise we would have had 4 minnows in the Currie Cup.
2 Sep 2010, 15:14 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-20: Poor Lions fans. So desperate to find something to crow about, they beat one or two of the weaklings, come as close as dammit to losing to the Pumas, score a lucky bounce to beat the Cheetahs and now we have Red Kitten on here with his big mouth.
Shame – it’s not just sad, but a bit funny as well.
2 Sep 2010, 15:16 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-42: It is 4… with the Bulls.
2 Sep 2010, 15:17 pm
@ufo(ufo)-40: Are you forgetting this lot nearly lost to the Pumas ? By some cruel intervention the Pumas lost that game after being by far the better side ?
WP will thump the Lions this weekend man. Dont get absorbed into the media hype.
2 Sep 2010, 15:20 pm
@Bouts(Bouts)-43: Nah – there are only 3 minnows in the Currie Cup. Leopards, Pumas and Lions.
Sharks will shut the Lions up again, and Red Kitten will disappear into exile again when we put another 50 pointer over them on their home ground.
2 Sep 2010, 15:27 pm
Can anyone clarify whether there’s any credibility to the Morne Steyn rumors?
Or is it a September (April) Fool’s joke?
2 Sep 2010, 15:34 pm
@Frankly speaking(Frankly speaking)-46: Dude – I saw it on the Bulls website from one of the posters. They said there is a rumour on facebook (?) that Morne Steyn is going to WP.
2 Sep 2010, 15:35 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-44:
no bud… i’m just comparing them to their own horrendous S14 form… and giving a little credit where it’s due…
all i said was mitchell is having a positive influence… which he is… (IMO anyway…)
why are you so reluctant to acknowledge that…?
hmmmm…
i didn’t say they were world beaters or that they’ll topple the sharks any time soon from their lofty perch at the top of the log…
just that taking on mitchell is a good move… for the lions… and for sa rugby in general…
actually it’s the single best thing the lions have done in four or five years…
so yeah… i reckon a good old “well done…!!” is due…
2 Sep 2010, 15:37 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-47:
siriaaaaas….????
wow…!!
2 Sep 2010, 15:37 pm
@ufo(ufo)-48: I will take you a bet on two things;
1. The Lions will not make the Currie Cup playoffs.
2. In next years Super 15, the Lions will be an embarrassment to SA rugby yet again.
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