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If you are going to ask me what is more important in rugby, hunger or talent, I am inclined to suggest hunger.
How many times could you suggest “an upset”?
I would suggest it has similarities to asking the question “how long is a piece of rope?” Depends what you are going to use it for.
At Ellis Park on Saturday evening the Lions got off to a blistering start and after a very well executed try and two superb drop goals by Marnitz Boshoff, one from 43 metres and 47 metres respectively, the Lions were leading by 13-0.
By the 19th minute the lead went to 19-0, with the Stormers having hardly had any possession during this time.
When they eventually got into the game during the second quarter they managed to score one try which could be deemed rather fortunate as Scarra Ntbeni was shielded by Steven Kitshoff as he rolled around from the breakdown to ground the ball, thus causing obstruction.
A further penalty on the halfway mark produced the only three-pointer the Stormers would kick in the match.
The Lions again had a simple plan, keep the score board ticking and use every opportunity to go for goal, another flawless kicking performance by Boshoff who kicked 6/6 penalties, 1/1 conversion and 3/3 drop goals.
The final score was 34-10 in the Lions’ favour.
The Stormers looked rusty, with all the dominance of possession and territory they had, it was the mistakes that cost them, every time they lost possession Boshoff simply kicked the ball a mile and the Stormers had to start all over.
Their maul lacked intensity, and their attack was as innovative as a slice of bread.
With the quick start the Lions had, the Stormers were always chasing the scoreboard, and it told in the number of kickable penalties they denied.
The Lions received two yellow cards, and for a few minutes of the second half were down to 13 men. Still the Stormers could not breach the defence of a Lions team bereft of stars, but high on commitment and hunger.
As Jean de Villiers said in his post match interview. “That was pretty disgusting”
Earlier in the weekend Willie le Roux gave a master class in wet weather rugby.
The tour in Europe at the end of last year must have been an invaluable experience for him as he kept the Cheetahs out of their danger zone.
The Bulls made all the play, and even though they looked better than their woeful performance last week against the Sharks, the predictability of their attack and unforced errors was their undoing.
To add to their woes, their tactical kicking once again came up short, and although the match won’t linger for long in the memories of any supporters, Heyneke Meyer will have made another positive tick alongside the name of Willie le Roux.
The Cheetahs ultimately won 15-6 courtesy of one drop goal and four penalties to Johan Goosen.
The Sharks versus Hurricanes match was not a spectacle, in fact I lost count of the number of kicks in the match.
It was pretty clear the Sharks was not going to take chances in their half against the Hurricanes, and halfway through the second half kicking away possession almost became their undoing as the Hurricanes began to run the ball back at them.
However it was in the 66th minute when Lwazi Mvovo read the play from Perenara to a tee, waited beautifully for the pass out wide, intercepted and put the Sharks ahead by 21-9. From there the Sharks managed to kick two additional penalties to close out the game.
For the Hurricanes Jack Lamb was superb at the breakdown, Perenara hassled Cobus Reinach incessantly and kept up the pressure in defence, effectively spoiling any chance of clean, quick ball.
The dominant scrum of the Sharks ensured the Hurricanes struggled to attack from set phase.
Overall it was a hugely physical contest, but the 27-9 scoreboard flatters the Sharks and after such a good start against the Bulls, this was not their finest hour.
For now the Sharks lead the Lions by one point in the South African conference. Prior to the tournament starting the odds for that happening would have been astronomical. What are the odds of the Lions ending second in the conference by the end of the campaign?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.