One feels sorry for the MTN Lions, well almost, in light of the fact that injuries are now devastating what is left of the embattled pack of scruffy monsters.
It is their star-players and stalwarts who seem to be on the crock this week, the hard grafter Derick Minnie (possibly out for 4 weeks with a knee injury), the bearded monster, Osama Bin… sorry, Josh Strauss (concussion), George Earle (concussion), James Kamana (tournament over – broken leg), André Pretorius (leg injury) and possibly also still Michael Killian (recovering from hamstring strain).
What does this mean in real terms for the Lions?
Well, we can expect Jaco Taute at fullback and Elton Jantjies should retain his place at flyhalf in front of Burton Francis. In the forwards we should see Cobus (Baywatch) Grobbelaar and Michael Rhodes on the flanks and we could see David de Villiers at lock.
John Mitchell will have answers for us at a press conference to name the team at about lunchtime on Thursday.
Why feel sorry for them?
“Fortune favours the brave.”
They have no depth in their squad for one reason only. Poor management and even poorer decision making with the cheque book in hand.
While rebuilding takes a couple of years (OK a decade plus a couple of years in the Lions case), they now have the financial resources to have developed a “rent a squad” capable of staying the pace through the season.
Instead they would rather make sure there are enough “previously disadvantaged” supporters in Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates shirts behind the poles at every home game and a number of away games. Rent a crowd at best. Maybe one or two of those guys can don the red jersey and stop Schalla in his tracks come Saturday afternoon!
Or even better, ask the pre-match entertainment to have a go.
Now why am I not suprised to see the name of the ‘glasman’ on that list?
Ag scrumdown, I know all that but one still feels for them, it is as if things just dont want to go right….
Wonder of Kockot is kicking himself yet?
@ Tripples:
I’ve been too involved with them in the past to now feel sorry for them.
While I DESPERATELY want them to succeed, I feel a little like someone with an alcoholic brother who won’t admit there is a problem. I want (need?) the healing process to start, but unless they admit there is a problem the the “illness” will continue to fester and “vrot” until it’s too late.
When Kevin de Klerk was voted in on July 27th 2009 there was a great promise of things to come, and a great new attitude that would permeate the Union.
Unfortunately it never happened.
The “Laager” attitude prevails. Any form of critisism is seen as a “stab in the back” and there is a reluctance on the management’s part seek meaningful help. (IMO at least.)
And that’s only at the top 25% of the Union. Speak to a lot of the smaller clubs and the same will be said in a lot fewer words and expletives.
Having said that, I honestly believe that there are a number of staff at the Doornfontein HQ that really are trying to make things better. (It must really be a difficult place to work at though.)
Lol, I empathise with them more than sympathise!! Supporters in SA are a fickle bunch!! The majority just lambast a team when they lose, a case in point is the Cheetahs on tour, despite the NZ and Aus media having only respect for the fighting spirit displayed by them, SA bloggers have been saying how shit the Cheetahs are…
Now they are starting to get some consistency, and some players back.
A good team selected, but still players, the calibre of Juan, Brussow, Frans Viljoen, Andries Strauss, Daniller out!!!
Go Cheetahs!!
@ Cheetah4eva:
I am not so sure that SA supporters are that fickle.
Quite a number of (informed and knowledgable) supporters out there are not criticising the losses but the way we play the game.
Sure there are some ignorant supporters who know very little about rugby too.
Lions by 10 on Saturday?
What a time to win one!
@ Scrumdown:
maybe if they were playing the bulls 🙂
7@ Tripples:
Or Laerskool Tweebuffelsmeteenskootdoodgeskietfont U9c’s!
@ Tripples:
Even the poor Bulls should beat a depleted, totally injury raved side with little talent and depth like the Lions. Well I think they should be able to.
But then again most of the Bulls players should be playing for the SA legends by now.
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