The GLRU (Golden Lions Rugby Union) are reportedly negotiating with a host of high profile players, including the likes of Butch James, Jean de Villiers, John Smit, Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis and Joe van Niekerk.
GLRU president Kevin de Klerk said they were talking to sponsors to help lure high profile players but did not want to confirm or deny which players were targeted.
It appears that John Smit apparently spoke to Dick Muir, Lions Director of Coaching, about a dual role as player and forwards coach, whils it is common knowledge that the brothers Du Plessis have thrown out the bait for a joint move elsewhere.
Further speculation is that Joe van Niekerk, former Springbok, and a Lions old boy is also linked to a possible move back to the Lions. Joe owes the Lions some good faith after they nursed him for a long time, through injury, after which he just upped and left the Union for a deal in France.
It is common knowledge that the Lions would need to bolster their player and coaching ranks with a heap of better quality players and management staff and it seems like Kevin de Klerk has finally woken up to the notion as well, question is why this never happened a year ago already, in stead of which a string of has-beens and sub-standard players were lured to Johannesburg, with obvious results following.
De Klerk said “We can’t name anyone, but we are at an advanced stage of negotiations. Some of the players will already be available for the Currie Cup and others at the end of the year.”
The question whether some players would fit into the Lions mould is a complicated one, and based on speculation but Dick Muir certainly worked as Assistant Springbok coach with Jean de Villiers and to a smaller extent with John Smit and the Du Plessis brothers whilst he knows Butch James well from his days as Sharks coach.
So, re-signing overseas players in Jean, Butch and Joe would certainly bolster the Lions, but it would serve another purpose, it would be a much needed start to bringing South Africans back from the lure of the Euro and the Pound. Butch James plays for Bath, Jean de Villiers plays for Ulster in Ireland and has already indicated that he is returning to SA. There has been a lot of mention in last week’s press that the negotiations between Butch and the Sharks fell flat, so it appears that Butch is indeed open to discussion, but it also appears that he values his services for far too much money.
It is also clear that the lure of money would have to be good enough at the Lions, who in their right mind would want to play there now, after such a dismal season and with Union troubles so obvious. Jean de Villiers recently said that it would be difficult to play for any other teams than Western Province and the Stormers, whereas Butch James has also clearly expressed his preference for a Sharks spot.
Lions Manie Reyneke already denied that they are in any sorts of talks with Butch, Jean etc.
Says its speculation and he does’nt know where its coming from…
The best Manie can do is to fall in his own sword.
1@ Blouste – Manie does not know his arse from his elbow…. flokken onderwysertjie!
This sounds like wishfull thinking.
Nobody with half a brain would sign up until they were sure there was going to be professional management and coaching.
Not for any amount of money!!
4@ Tighthead – Another question also is…. are they going to continue playing Super Rugby….
Who signs for a Franchise who does not even play Super Rugby, only Vodacom Cup?
GBS @ 5
Word on the street is that the GLRU / Lions are “safe” for S14 participation until at least 2012 and possibly 2013.
Of course, that could just be spin.
At the end of the day they (the Lions) are between a rock and a hard place.
Who (“super stars”) would realistically sign for a team that were not guaranteed participation in the premier provincial competition?
And then, when (or if) participation has been confirmed it’s all too late with any decent players already having decided where to play.
I think the “report” quoting Mr de Klerk may be a bit of wishful thinking or just plain spin doctoring.
As far as Mr Reyneke and the rest of the Executive Committee of the GLRU (and the directors of Lions Rugby (PTY) LTD) are concerned, why all the silence?
Why are they not coming to the media and putting forward their take on events?
This laager mentality and complete lack of transparency just helps to fuel the fire of negativity surrounding the media and the team / Union.
Do they (Manie and Co.) still see any form of criticism to be “the enemy gathering forces”?
Do they really give a shit that one of the most modern stadiums in the Southern Hemisphere has less spectators week in- week out than they get at Tweebuffelsfontein Primary School’s midweek 2nd team game?
The GLRU would do very well to start talking to people. drop the head in the sand attitude, admit there is a problem, ask for help in the right places, and start fixing the problem.
Mind you, maybe the problem(s) are those that won’tm make the admission in the first place.
Go Cheeky?????
A few high profile players will solve none of their current problems. They will go from 0/12 wins to 3/12 wins.
“question is why this never happened a year ago already, in stead of which a string of has-beens and sub-standard players were lured to Johannesburg, with obvious results following.”
Simple really.
Because all the players we want, are all contracted until end of 2010. No negotiations may take place unless it’s within 120 days from the players coming from contract. And the GLRU actually respect contracts.
8@ Willa – How can they respect contracts if they do not even know what constitutes a valid contract?
The Buying process is an on-going process, in fact it should have happened more than a year ago… still begs the question why EVER buy mediocre and has-been players… that is plain stupid, shortsighted… and daft!
Face it, we all saw the writing on the wall, we talked about it and was blamed for being negative about the Lions…. you did’nt, as most Lions supporters did’nt.
Who was right AND fair under the circumstances?
Hi Willa, good to see you again. I miss the Lion voices here….
They should rather invest in their youth than buy has-beens…
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