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The Lions are the greatest rugby team in the world

Roar Guru
23rd March, 2014
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Roar Guru
23rd March, 2014
139
2809 Reads

The Lions’ comeback win against the Reds on Saturday night was nothing short of inspiring. It’s not so much what they’ve achieved but the manner in which they’ve achieved it, their weaknesses across the park not enough to keep this team down.

This is said respectfully as they could probably all be doctors and engineers, but in terms of rugby nous the Lions forwards have the collective brainpower of an adolescent Neanderthal. As an example, none have figured out that if the halfback isn’t there you need to alter your role from ‘stand over the ball’ to picking it up and passing it.

Basic decision-making across the park is ordinary, and perhaps the most amazing thing about this team is they manage to string together a fairly compelling effort, week after week, with no captain. Or if he’s there it’s not apparent, as you can see the players looking to the sideline for direction when penalties are awarded.

This wouldn’t be so bad if the mystery man on the sideline provided good direction. As it stands, they have a habit of taking the wrong option every time.

The decision maker may wish to keep an ear in the South African commentary box. The most balanced, insightful and entertaining commentary is generally found in South Africa, and these guys are real rugby aficionados.

Aside from the erratic decision-making, including going for the penalty goal after four dominant, penalty-inducing scrums on the Reds’ line, the Lions’ handling is atrocious. Their forwards struggle with the simple catch-pass from their mates, probably because they use their palms to catch the ball instead of their fingers, which is why they’re thin on the ground in terms of tries scored.

So how are they getting results?

This great team is built around the world’s best halfback and fly-half in Faf de Klerk and Marnitz Boshoff, two no-names who should be lighting up the stage in a green jersey come mid-season.

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Forget Morne Steyn; Boshoff has kicked 38 from 40 this year, and added six field goals to score double what any other player in Super Rugby has managed.

Against the Reds at Ellis Park, we also witnessed a fine refereeing display by rookie South African Stuart Berry. He was charged with the task of controlling the game and in doing so took apart James Horwill’s men, who’ve been pinged more than any team this year and conceded 16 penalties on the night.

Horwill either has no control over his team or he’s driving this campaign to play past the edge of the laws. Either way, he’s not captain material.

The Reds take the view that if the ref sends a man to the bin for repeated professional fouls then they can keep doing it, as there’s no chance the ref will bin a second man in the space of a few minutes. But Berry did, ensuring the Reds had two men in the bin for the crucial final minutes of the game.

The mighty Lions attacked the try-line for the final quarter of the match and in the 78th minute finally managed to scrape over to go ahead 21-20.  Boshoff did what he does and slotted the conversion from out wide to go three points ahead.

The Lions just needed to hold on for a late flurry from the 13-man Reds, who were deep into lions territory. They couldn’t give -away a single penalty; if they had, the game would have drawn, so they allowed the Reds to keep possession and make gains past the advantage line with every forward drive.

The Lions stuck to their mettle and eventually held the ball up in contact to kill the game and end with a famous win. A win they had no right to given they were down and out at 20-3 before scoring 20 unanswered points to claim victory.

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The passionate fans, all 20,000 of them, all sang and danced. It was a great day for rugby.

The mad-hatter eccentrics and indelible spirit bring a synergy to this team and this year it’s coming together, with the team sitting fourth on the table. If you haven’t managed to watch them in 2014, set your box to record and give them a crack.

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