Rugby: Lions Tame The Cats

The British and Irish Lions have overcome the challenge of South Africa’s cats with contrasting victories.

The midweek game against the Pussycats was shambolic for the home side. How a Super 14 side can perform so badly is beyond me. The British and Irish Lions played well however. Admittedly they were running into gaps and holes that appeared as if didn't exist, but they had the confidence to give the ball some air, coupled with hard and direct running that allowed them to reap the rewards.

The Golden Lions on the other hand have hit rock bottom. It’s going to take an overhaul to ensure they can perform at the top level again. Talk of the players making demands can now be washed aside, as they don’t deserve anything. The new coach needs to come in and lay some strong ground rules. The union’s biggest problem will be attracting and maintaining quality players, and if Jacque Fourie does leave for France, they will be in even worse shape.

On the weekend, we moved to Bloemfontein, the city of flowers, where it was the turn of the Cheaters. The first 20 minutes saw the Lions put 20 points on and a repeat of the midweek game beckoned.

I have to say I agreed with the Lions players that referee Wayne Barnes did a poor job at the breakdown. Brussow was exceptional and played to the ref’s whistle, but the Lions can feel hard done by.

I was impressed with the Lions willingness to move the ball running hard and straight, then mix that up with clever changes of angles, inside balls, and backing themselves on the outside. Flyhalf James Hook also showed a willingness to take the ball to the line, and I feel he’d be a better bet than the more predictable O’Gara and Jones for the test position.

The Cheaters on the other hand were lucky with an intercept try in the closing stages of the game, and once again showed they know how to lose games. They’ve had a very settled squad all year, and if they don’t finally perform in the Currie Cup, questions will be asked similar to what the Lions are now experiencing.