Western Province 23 - Lions 26
"having four more points would have made the occasion even better", these were the words of Western Province captain Luke Watson. In a game that could have gone either way right up until the last minute the home side full of young talent and no names put up a committed performance that wasn't seen by the Golden Lions or the Sharks. It was especially the defense that made the game so tight and enjoyable to watch coupled with the wet weather which was definitely an equalizer. Without their Springboks it was never going to happen, but with four more points it would have. Martin Muller got stuck into the rucks and jumped superbly, showing that all you need is the right attitude to succeed whilst the old hand Gcobani Bobo worked tirelessly on and off the ball, also using his experience to keep the backline calm and in control. But the stand out for Province was the man who failed to fire in the Super 14 Willem De Waal. His kicking game (which was on song) was perfect for not only the conditions but also for the European style of rugby that was on show. Super 14 this was not, it was more like trench warfare and the quality of the soldiers on the Lions side eventually endured and a brilliant kick from Hook, who seems a more exciting option than Jones or O'Gara, sent the visitors three points clear with five minutes to play
The scrums were a bit f a nightmare, more is expected of JD Moller and the penalty he gave away in the end was unacceptable from a person who is paid huge amounts of money to specifically do that one job. The rucks were pretty even and the Lions recycling is definitely one of their strengths, but the malls and collisions were all one way traffic, WP knocking the Lions back in the tackle so often you forgot which direction the teams were playing in. They also counteracted the Lions rolling mauls superbly, something a monster pack like the springboks should take note of; if you have the right body position and push as a team the Lions maul looks quite impotent. That said the visitors just had too much all round class for the hosts and what could have been the upset of the tour was always a bit of a prayer in the wind for die hard WP fans.
"having four more points would have made the occasion even better", these were the words of Western Province captain Luke Watson. In a game that could have gone either way right up until the last minute the home side full of young talent and no names put up a committed performance that wasn't seen by the Golden Lions or the Sharks. It was especially the defense that made the game so tight and enjoyable to watch coupled with the wet weather which was definitely an equalizer. Without their Springboks it was never going to happen, but with four more points it would have. Martin Muller got stuck into the rucks and jumped superbly, showing that all you need is the right attitude to succeed whilst the old hand Gcobani Bobo worked tirelessly on and off the ball, also using his experience to keep the backline calm and in control. But the stand out for Province was the man who failed to fire in the Super 14 Willem De Waal. His kicking game (which was on song) was perfect for not only the conditions but also for the European style of rugby that was on show. Super 14 this was not, it was more like trench warfare and the quality of the soldiers on the Lions side eventually endured and a brilliant kick from Hook, who seems a more exciting option than Jones or O'Gara, sent the visitors three points clear with five minutes to play
The scrums were a bit f a nightmare, more is expected of JD Moller and the penalty he gave away in the end was unacceptable from a person who is paid huge amounts of money to specifically do that one job. The rucks were pretty even and the Lions recycling is definitely one of their strengths, but the malls and collisions were all one way traffic, WP knocking the Lions back in the tackle so often you forgot which direction the teams were playing in. They also counteracted the Lions rolling mauls superbly, something a monster pack like the springboks should take note of; if you have the right body position and push as a team the Lions maul looks quite impotent. That said the visitors just had too much all round class for the hosts and what could have been the upset of the tour was always a bit of a prayer in the wind for die hard WP fans.
Another superb performance by Tommy Bowe seemed to make the difference. A definite starter in the Test he ran a great line and produced a good finish for his try. His best moment however, was setting up Monye for the second score as he broke tackles with ease and floated a neat pass over the defender. He was also solid under the high ball and has a more than adequate kicking game making him one of the few players on the Lions tour who comes anywhere close to the Springboks superstars like Fourie Du Preez, Bryan Habbana and Victor Matfield, players who perform at the highest standard week in and week out, almost always making the difference in every game they play.
Again i will complain about the lack of springboks in the provincial teams and after reading an article by Dan Reteif it became clear to me that rugby is a business and nothing else, the last great amateur sport is gone and for this I shed a tear. No longer do we see rugby for rugby sake and the lions tour was supposed the be the last of the great tours, unfortunately it hasn't been so great thus far. Australia take note; play your wallabies in the provincial games or don't play them at all, stop insulting the rugby community with B teams!
With one more warm up match before the first test South African fans can only hold thumbs for a miracle next week when a pick-a-mix team from around the country and even further will have the last opportunity at putting one over the Lions. I must just say that the Kings side, on paper, seem a better outfit than any other that has faced the Lions so far, but we will have to see if they can pull together and form into a cohesive team. I am surprised and saddened by the absence of Akona Ndungane, a player who toiled so hard for the champion bulls and a great son of Eastern Cape rugby, but hasn't been given a shot at the Lions, SA Rugby catch a wake up please. sgr
Again i will complain about the lack of springboks in the provincial teams and after reading an article by Dan Reteif it became clear to me that rugby is a business and nothing else, the last great amateur sport is gone and for this I shed a tear. No longer do we see rugby for rugby sake and the lions tour was supposed the be the last of the great tours, unfortunately it hasn't been so great thus far. Australia take note; play your wallabies in the provincial games or don't play them at all, stop insulting the rugby community with B teams!
With one more warm up match before the first test South African fans can only hold thumbs for a miracle next week when a pick-a-mix team from around the country and even further will have the last opportunity at putting one over the Lions. I must just say that the Kings side, on paper, seem a better outfit than any other that has faced the Lions so far, but we will have to see if they can pull together and form into a cohesive team. I am surprised and saddened by the absence of Akona Ndungane, a player who toiled so hard for the champion bulls and a great son of Eastern Cape rugby, but hasn't been given a shot at the Lions, SA Rugby catch a wake up please. sgr
No comments:
Post a Comment