Over the last couple of weeks we’ve had numerous discussions about what the Lions’ expectations should be for 2010. Expecting a semi-final or final in the Super 14 is great, and you can’t be blamed for a lack of optimism, but is it realistic?
We need to realise that the Super 14 has some seriously talented players split between 14 sides.
It’s about having the talent, experience, continuity, a fair share of luck and having a mental edge over the other sides that separates the pretenders from the champions. Being the best on paper does not guarantee you a semi.
Looking at the NZ sides, they have serious contenders and sides that have been playing together for a couple seasons now, and will definitely challenge for the top four. Same with some of the Australian sides.
Realistically, we must admit the Bulls and Stormers seem to be the pre-season favourites to carry the SA flag, but that’s just it. It’s pre-season. I have no doubt whatsoever that the Bulls will be there at the end. However, the Stormers have this habit of lifting the Super 14 trophy before the first kick-off. And by April, all the pre-season hype has disappeared and the excuses come rolling in.
But I just have this feeling that they might actually do something this season. They have a descent draw, and the experience of Fourie and Habana will definitely benefit the side. But the loss of Watson and Jean de Villiers, is an equaliser. Watson was their player of the season last year, and was brilliant for them – irrelevant if you like the guy or not. He played good rugby.
The Sharks seem to be in trouble, no matter how you look at it. If they continue with Smit at tight-head, they’ll struggle to make the top half with their backline available. The Cheetahs might just surprise a couple of sides, but with the same management staff, I can’t see a vast improvement from them.
Coming back to the Lions, we need to be realistic about the upcoming Super 14. It’s a tough competition, we only have 6 games at Coke park, and a bad draw overseas. We cross the Tasmin twice in 5 weeks.
Most teams are settled and ready to go. Muir hasn’t had enough time to settle on his first choice side as he has only been with us from early December.
What I would like to see is a gradual improvement, week by week. Competitive rugby, and when we lose, lose by less than 7. To compete for a semi-final spot, a team needs about 40 log points. And with our draw, to me, it seems a bit tough.
Realistically, I want a finish around 8th, and we need to end third of the SA sides. But the most important is improved rugby, quality skills, and exciting rugby that we can build on heading into the Currie Cup. Muir is spot on in saying we need to improve game by game.
We can’t expect miracles, and we can’t expect the side to turn the last 4 seasons around in less than 4 months. But we are entitled to expect a better side in the Super 14. A Side that can build on performances week by week, and then target a semi in 2011 and as Muir indicated, go for the title in 2012. It’s not a three year plan, it’s a game by game plan. Play on the Saturday, and start all over on the following Monday.
This is exactly how the Bulls got to be where they are today, and that is a blueprint that we would be foolish not to follow.
All will be clearer come 13 Feb…
Untill then, everything else are just wishfull thinking.
Actually only by week 3 aprox.
Saint
When are we getting the Bulls thread.
I know there are many positives to highlight, but surely it can’t take you that long… 😆
Lions, I realy hope you guys do soooo well.
Nothing would make me happier than you guys actually winning your first game !!!
Unfortunatly, there is nothing to suggest at this stage that anything have changed for you guys, accept blind optimism…
And, I don’t realy rate Dick Muir…
Thanks for leaving Heyneke for us BULLS !!!
Dick will probably see how many players he can play out of position for you guys…to get the SUPRIZE element…
I sure don’t hope there are any truth in the rumour that only mad people talk to themselves.. 😆
Willadieleeu – I think the Lions will finish better than 8th, think they have something to prove this year, and you do have King Carlos.
Wished the Shrks had nabbed him first. Now dont freak out, its just a wish not a threat. 😆
Treehugger…
You Tjarks can’t have ALL the has been international flyhalves… 🙂
blouste ek sien jou geniet jouself hier op jou eie hehehehe
I personally feel that we must not right off the Lions too quickly……..although I do feel that the Stormers are going to surprise quite a few people this year…
Hi tripples
At least its a nice conversation 😆
I think the Lions will do very well to finish at 8…
Would be great to see Lions finishing 8th. Would be in the right direction for sure. Well anything above 10th spot would be good for the team and Muir this year. Muir only being there such a short time to work with the players.
Now if the Lions and Cheetahs don’t give bonus points to the other teams too what would help the Saffa sides HUGE this year.
For my Sharks, it is not looking good so far. Then we still have another week or so to get ready. Centre is a problem and FH. How we are going to miss Fransie this year.
The Lions have announced their sides for this weekend. It looks a bit different than against the Bulls.
I think the Lions can do one better than 8 and maybe end 6th, if they don’t commit suicide. I do not rate Dick Muir at all, because he seems to have taken the job as merely a side-line, however, the players MUST be hungry…
BLOUSTE:
Bulls thread will be published on Thursday afternoon, I have a shitload of jokes to sift through still…
afternoon everyone
jeez, what a hectic 2 weeks i’ve had …. i’m sooooooooo far behind schedule 😥
hey, but what the heck …
lewe is ñ lied …. sso sing hom uit volle bors, hehehehe!!
the saint @ 6
dont know, bru
i would love to see them doing well …..except for the 1st game, of course 😉
but
i just dont know!!
they should really be one of the better teams in the s14 given the altitude factor (sigh) … but they and the cheaters are still the teams targeted for points on tour!
heres hoping to see that change this year!!
is
here
an
echo
in
this
place
of is dit die stormers se leë trophy cabinet wat so ñ mo*rse geraas maak? 😉
Two Blue Bull Supporters are walking down different ends of a street toward each other and one is carrying a sack. When they meet, one says, “Hey, Tommy Ray, what’cha got in th’ bag?”
“Jus’ some chickens.”
“If I guess how many there are, can I have one?”
“I’ll give you both of them.”
“OK. Ummmmm……, five?” 😀
A little boy got on the bus, sat next to a man reading a book, and noticed he had his collar on backwards. The little boy asked why he wore his collar that way.
The man, who was a priest, said, “I am a Father.”
The little boy replied, “My Daddy doesn’t wear his collar like that.”
The priest looked up from his book and said, “I am the Father of many.”
The boy said, “My Dad has four boys, four girls and two grandchildren and he doesn’t wear his collar that way.”
The priest, getting impatient, said “I am the Father of hundreds,” and went back to reading his book.
The little boy sat quietly… but on leaving the bus, he leaned over and said, “Well, maybe you should wear your pants backwards instead of your collar.”
28 – Howzit Ash, How you mate?
Mr. Jacobs, the biology instructor at a posh suburban girl’s junior college, said during class, “Miss Arnold, would you please name the organ of the human body, which under the appropriate conditions, expands to six times its normal size, and define the conditions.”
Miss Arnold gasped, then said freezingly, “Mr. Jacobs, I don’t think that is a proper question to ask me. I assure you my parents will hear of this.” With that she sat down red-faced.
Unperturbed, Mr. Jacobs called on Miss Jones and asked the same question.
Miss Jones, with composure, replied, “The pupil of the eye, in dim light.”
“Correct,” said Mr. Jacobs. “And now, Miss Arnold, I have three things to say to you. One, you have not studied your lesson. Two, you have a dirty mind. And three, you will someday be faced with a dreadful disappointment.”
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