So crazy it just might work...?

This is the last chance for the "no names" from South Africa to pull an upset against the lions becasue from then on in nothing but a South African victory will be tolerated. The public form the republic have been waiting twelve long years for retribution. Some call it revenge, others call it righting the wrongs of the past, but what is for certain is that neither side can take anything from twelve years ago, this is a new tour, new players and a vastly different game.

Back to the King's match: The lions have picked arguably their worst side of the tour so far which will be led by Doncha O'Callaghan who has little to no leadership experience. The Lions strength could ultimately be their downfall in this match as their rigid and predictable style of play although designed to close out matches could work against them when facing an unstructered team like the Kings. They boast a host of ex-springboks and quality Currie cup and Super 14 players. De Wet Barry makes a welcome return to SA rugby as well as the mercurial (slightly mal) Jaco Vd Westhuizen, a player who, at his peak, was one of the most exciting and devisating running fullbacks to come oout of South Africa. His short lived, but succesful career at flyhalf was nullifed by his return to Japan where his rugby suffeered and he failed to regain the form that saw him win 32 caps for the bokke.

Here is a list of the Kings players and their experience: Southern Kings: 15 Tiger Mangweni (Super 14, currie cup winner), 14 Wylie Human (Super 14), 13 Frikkie Welsh (Super 14), 12 De Wet Barry (Springbok - 39 caps), 11 Rayno Benjamin (Super 14, SA sevens), 10 Jaco van der Westhuyzen (Springbok - 32 caps), 9 Francois Hougaard (Super 14), 8 Darron Nel (Super 14) 7 Solly Tyibilika (Springbok - 8 caps), 6 Mpo Mbiyoso (SA Sevens), 5 Ross Skeate (Super 14), 4 Marco Wentzel Super 14), 3 Ruan Vermeulen (Super 14), 2 Derick Küun (Super 14 winner), 1 Jaco Engels (Super 14 winner).
Replacements: Simon Westraadt, Kevin Buys, Lungelo Payi, Heinrich Stride, Josh Fowles, Mzandile Stick (SA Sevens), Elger Watts, Bevin Fortuin (Springbok - 2 caps), Henry Grimes, Michael Coetzee.

Summed Up in 5: Lions v Western Province

LIONS:
1.Good Scrum
2.Good Finishing (3 Try's)
3.Poor Rucking
4.Poor Effort from a group of “Elite” international rugby players.
5.Poor fly half selection. (S. Jones played his way out of Test contention)

WESTERN PROVINCE:
1.Good Performance which brought back WP pride.
2.Good use of Conditions. (selection of W. de Waal as Fly Half)
3.Great Fitness.
4.Youngsters and Vodacom Cup players picked up their game to international standard.
5.Poor scrummaging.

Player Ratings: British and Irish Lions v Western Province

Lions:...............................Western Province:

1.A. Sheridan: 7 ................. W. Blaau: 6
2.M. Rees: 6 ...................... T. Liedenberg: 4
3.P. Vickery(cpt): 5 .............. B. Harris: 4
4.D. O'callaghan: 6 ............... M. Muller: 7
5.N. Hines: 6 .................... A. van Zyle: 6
6.J. Worsley: 5 .................. P. Louw: 6
7.M. Williams: 5 .................. D. Vermeulen: 7
8.A. Powell: 5 .................... L. Watson(cpt): 6
9.H. Ellis: 5 ..................... D. Duvenhage: 6
10.S. Jones: 2 ................... W. de Waal: 8
11.U. Monye: 6 ................... G. Bobo: 7
12.R. Flutey: 5 .................. P. Grant: 5
13.K. Earls: 5 ................... M. Newman: 6
14.T. Bowe: 8 .................... T. Chavhanga: 5
15.R. Kearney: 7 .................. J.Pietersen: 2

Subs:
16.R. Ford: 5 .................... H. Shimange: N.I
17.E. Murray: 5 .................. J.D. Moller: 0(gave away crutial penalty)
18.S. Shaw: N.I ................. D.K. Steenkamp: N.I
19.T. Croft: N.I .................. Z. Jordaan: N.I
20.S. Williams(Blair Injury) ..... C. Hoffman: N.I
21.J. Hook(match winning penalty).. JJ. Engelbrecht: N.I
22.G. D'Arcy: N.I ................ G. Aplon: 6

Total: 84 ....................... Total: 85


Scoring:

10: Perfect Game.
7: Good Overall Game.
5: Average Game.
3: Poor Game.
O: Detrimental to the Team.

Weekend Results 13 June 2009

New Zealand 22 - France 27
Australia 31 - Italy 8
Argentina 24 - Englannd 22
Western Province 23 - B&I Lions 26

Cheap 2009 Lions tour tickets

hi guys
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hope you find some last minute deals!!

MM

WP nearly rain on Lions parade

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.

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

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Weekend Fixtures

13 June: Internationals

New Zealand v France 09:35*

Australia v Italy 11:30*

Western Province v B&I Lions 15:00*

Argentina v England 21:00*

*All times CAT (central African Time)

Preview: Western Province vs B&I Lions

The unbeaten Lions now move onto Cape Town to take on Western Province in the fifth fixture of the 2009 Lions tour of South Africa. The Lions struggled to a victory against the Cheetahs, who missed a match winning drop goal last weekend (26-24), But bounced back well to beat a woeful, Springbok starved, Sharks Team on Wednesday. (39-3)

The Stormers (the Super 14 franchise associated with Western Province)were placed 5th in the 2008 Super 14 but under achieved in 2009 ending the season in 10th place. Province will no doubt have have to play their best rugby to topple a now confident Lions outfit. Like the Sharks, Western Province will be missing key players through injury and Springboks selection:

Missing Springboks:
Jean de Villiers (Province Captain), Schalk Burger, Ricky Januarie and Andries Bekker.

Injury List:
Conrad Jantjies, Brian Mujati, Adriaan Fondse, Sireli Naqelevuki, Dylan des Fountain and Hilton Lobberts.

Controversial Province captain Luke Watson, along with Super 14 star Duane Vermeulen will be keen to battle the lions at the breakdown, an area they have been struggling with throughout the tour. The Lions will want to continue their good form at scrum time and it will be a real challenge for Province to front up in this area. The Province pack is a real mix of youthful exuberance and experience. Wicus Blaau, the promising young prop , now with a full season of Super rugby behind him, will be eager to test himself against Lions captain Phil Vickery.

For Western Province to pull an historic victory out of the bag they will have to replicate the strong defense that they showed during the Super 14. The Stormers ended the season with a top 5 defensive record. They will also have to take the opportunities when they come, with a strong back line we could see some exciting attacks. Over the last 4 matches the Lions have shown that they consistantly make silly errors and if Province can capitalize on a couple of these they may just be able to provide the first upset of the tour.

Forwads Battles:
Duane Vermeulen vs Martyn Williams: Vermeulen was the stand out player for the Stormers this season and would have been disappointed not to be in the Springbok squad. He will be despirate to prove himself on the international level against the Welsh veteran.

Backs Battles:
Peter Grant (Top Right)vs Riki Flutey: The Springbok Grant will be seething after being left out of both the Springboks and the Emerging Springboks, his consistency for both Province and the Stormers will no dout shine through against the Lions. However Flutey is a formidable opponent will Super rugby experience playing for the Hurricanes. This battle at center will definitely be one to watch.

Teams:

WESTERN PROVINCE: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Morgan Newman, 12 Peter Grant, 11 Gobani Bobo, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Dewaldt Duvenhage, 8 Luke Watson(Cpt), 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Pieter Louw, Anton van Zyle, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
REPLACEMENTS: 16 Hanyani Shimange, 17 JD Moller, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Zandre Jordaan, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 JJ Engelbrecht, 22 Gio Aplon.

British and Irish Lions: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Harry Ellis, 8 Andy Powell, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Donnocha O'Callaghan, 3 Phil Vickery(Cpt), 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford, 17 Euan Murry, 18 Simon Shaw, 19 Tom Croft, 20 Mike Blair, 21 James Hook, 22 Gordan D'Arcy

Betting Odds:

Ladbrokes.com:

Western Province win: 5/1
Draw: 22/1
Lions win: 1/9

MM

Thug Vickery named as captain of Lions

The thuggish england world cup winner Phil Vickery has been named as Lions captain for tomorrows "warm up" game against Western Province in Cape town.

It is surprising to read that coach Ian McGeechan chose the former england captain to lead the Lions as a "just reward for a thoroughly professional player". Vickery was yellow carded against the Sharks on Wednesday just minutes after being brought onto the field for foul play and was forced watch the remainder of the match from the sidelines. (luckily his seat was still nice and warm for him)The northern hemisphere often label the Springboks as "dirty" players for their massively physical style of rugby, but they overlook their own thugs. Vickery failed as captain of England in the past and has no skill at this position for his club London Wasps. Why then has McGeechan chosen this player over the likes of Martyn Williams who captained Wales from 2002 to 2005, the culmination of which was a Grand Slam Six Nations victory for Wales. The simple answer to that would be, that McGeechan and Vickery are big chums who work together at London Wasps. Surely a captain should be chosen on his ability and composure. Vickery is in the twighlight of his career and is probably the weekest of the front row forwards on tour. Looking through the list of current successful international captain's we see the likes of John Smit (South Africa), Richie McCaw (New Zealand), Ryan Jones (Wales) and Brian o'Driscol (Ireland); all of whom carry themselves well on the field. They set examples to their team with their ability, attitude and composure.The easily frustrated Vickey however has a history of loosing his temper and cheating (his infamous citing after tripping an USA center Paul Emerick during a tight pool match at the RWC 2007), if he starts loosing at scrum time get ready to see some dirty play. Selecting Vickery as captain could sully the name of the British and Irish Lions as he will no doubt be an embarrassment to these four great rugby nations.

MM