The Lesser-Gifted Lions

After a promising end to the Currie Cup much has been expected from the Lions in this season's Super 15. For the majority of New Zealanders and Australians who didn't see any of the 2010 Currie Cup it would be quite safe to assume that they would be shrugging their shoulders in bemusement at the talk the Jo'burg team was dishing out. Sure, they now have a little fat flyhalf and a flanker who they've seen before in the Hangover but what have the Lions actually changed?

From the outset the answer is nothing. Running onto the field with a kit as horrible as theirs must have something to do with how crap the Lions are. How can the team expect to build up their fan base to include at least the people who live in their city with such a repulsive jersey? As the average fan is more concerned about the team's play than what shirt they do it in, one would forgive them of this if they performed a little better.

Unfortunately for them, they haven't been able to compensate so. Their defence has simply been too weak. Leaking tries at will, the Lions always have an up-hill battle and when playing teams who aren't as porous on defence, as they do each week, they will continue to struggle. Coach John Mitchell has called for his side to focus more and harden up on defence saying that it will be the "catalyst to our attack". Aside from competing as the most insightful comment of the year, this really does seem to be a little far-fetched. To put it bluntly: the Lions just don't have the quality. I am all for running rugby  but, sorry for them, wins are not necessarily attained through scoring tries; more poignantly in their case: trying to do so at all costs. The Lions do not have the players to play the attacking game they are so desperate play and simultaneously offer a more miserly defence.

A team with this sort of goal needs balance. This doesn't even mean that the entire team needs to balance it's style but they need a few players who offer them stability amongst the chaos. Mitchell finally seems to have realised this after he chose Andre Pretorius ahead of Elton Jantjies to start against the Reds but despite his usual self was quite poor with the boot. The signing of Springbok Butch James was exactly what the Lions needed but he will only be available in May.  James will give the Lions a strong first five-eighth channel on defence and his well-rounded attacking qualities will give them an added dimension. He has excellent distribution, a fine tactical-kicking game and most definitely isn't afraid to take the ball into contact when need be. In addition, playing in England has made Butch a much more reliable goal-kicker.

Whilst seeming to have nothing but insults for the Lions they do have some players worth noting. Jaco Taute has impressed but for whatever reason doesn't seem to have a permanent place in the team. Their loose forwards have looked quite good with Joshua Strauss having a fine debut season. Warren Whiteley has aroused interest but in my opinion almost typifies what is wrong with the Lions' team. He is good in space and a talented ball-runner but lacks the physicality and the defensive qualities to be a truly-excellent no. 8. Elton Jantjies is one worth mentioning. The flyhalf who first appeared on the provincial scene in last year's Currie Cup is simply too erratic and inconsistent to be playing at this level; at least for now. He is a young lad and it is important that his confidence doesn't get shot at this early stage of his career. So typical is it of the South African public and media to hype up a talented young player and to shut him down when he fails to perform on the big scene. Whilst saying this I still wish to add that he has been monumentally poor so far and cannot be playing flyhalf for the Lions at the moment if they expect any success.

South African rugby finds itself in a fairly ominous situation with the majority of the current incumbents quite out of form. The name-factor that has seen almost all of these 'experienced' players continually keep their spots despite poor form will be no-good in this important World Cup year. What the country needs is young players coming through and challenging the 'big-dogs' to up their game and deserve their place in the team. Despite all natural feelings I want these Lions players to perform, for this reason, and the potential is undoubtedly there in quite a few of them. Many of these guys probably have come through a bit too late anyway to challenge for a Springbok spot but the importance of good depth is insurmountable. Their current game-plan isn't doing it for them so let us hope that the Lions can pull it together but it may need some sacrifice of what they hold so dear.