each other? Why don’t the Lions just throw this match some say, they are so far out of the competition! Yet at this stage of the Super 14 there is simply no way that the emaciated Lions will not be trying harder than ever to send a message that they are finally back as winners! Look out Bulls this could get nasty!
The Lions couldn’t care less that they play a South African side that are destined for the playoffs all they are thinking about is getting that elusive win and getting things in place to challenge for the Currie Cup. If that means beating the Bulls then so be it! Hell but is it possible?
Without Doppies Le Grange who is the one player who has looked like a Super 14 player and possibly having to play without Todd Cleaver the task has suddenly become more difficult. Dick Muir will have to try and imitate the Reds strategy and attempt to keep the ball away from the Bulls and compel them to chase the game. Dick Muir has admitted to studying the Reds match very carefully and is willing to implement a similar plan to disrupt the Bulls, “The Reds did well, they kept the ball and wore the Bulls down. We watched those games in detail and analyzed the opposition all the time and we certainly will have a much closer look at the Bulls game,” he said.
It is true that the Lions fashioned flashes of brilliance when they took on the Sharks but what an atrocious defense they have and invariably this season they are down by 20 points before they have assessed which way the wind is blowing. This will have to improve beyond belief if the Bulls are going to be denied an expected victory against their neighbors. Dick Muir this week was quoted as saying “…we’ve played against some of the best in the competition and done pretty well. We will have to get the guys to front up at Loftus…” Hell Dick I am not sure which Lions team you have been coaching but the one I have seen is that they have not “done pretty well!”
Walter Venter is back from injury and is probably the best defender in the Lions team and he will have to be on top of his game to stop Wynand Olivier who has been in good form this season. The Bulls will be hurting because of their loss to the Reds and they will without doubt want to reestablish their dominance and send a message that nobody is going to take the trophy away from them. All in all it is going to be a very long 80 minutes for the Lions and only in the world on fantasy and make believe can one expect the Lions to manufacture a win. But stranger things have happened and time will tell.
Prediction: There is absolutely no chance the Lions will win. You don’t have to know much about the game to call this one. I am giving the Bulls a win but 15 points but how interesting it will be in the Lions can produce a miracle. Come on Lions surprise us!
Teams: TBA
