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Pieter Jordaan
Johannesburg – This time John Mitchell was extremely proud of his team.
Even though the Lions’ 19-33 defeat to the Stormers on Saturday was the second biggest of their Vodacom Super Rugby season, the players at least did what the coach had asked of them.
It’s just a pity that they were up against South Africa’s best team at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday.
The Stormers scored a fortuitous try near the end when the score was still 26-19 with the Lions desperately hunting a converted try to square the match.
“I think we did very well and our forwards reacted positively,” Mitchell said by way of comparison with the pack’s weak effort in the set phases in the previous few games.
“We still could not break their defensive line at the right times, but I’m very proud of the players’ efforts.”
Lions captain Doppies la Grange said with a swollen eye that there was no lack of attitude and commitment against the Stormers.
“Unfortunately we gave away easy tries. We wanted to show the supporters that we are a proud side.”
The choice of Wikus van Heerden and David de Villiers as lock pairing proved a success, while Burton Francis may have secured more game time with his performance at flyhalf.
Lions fullback Jaco Taute was the home team’s best attacking player and he deserves his place in the starting line-up.
The Lions next play the Chiefs at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday and they must get a home victory.
After that they have to tour Australasia before playing home games against the Cheetahs and Sharks.
A victory over the Chiefs may well be a realistic target.
The fact that Mitchell expressed his pride in a team that on Saturday lost for the eighth time in nine games says much about the realistic view he is taking on his team’s situation.
“Realistically, we are about seven points behind the other teams in the tournament,” admitted Mitchell.
“That is the position we are in. We have to be more accurate and believe that we can do it. As a team we’re not far away. It’s only seven points and we need to get a grip on it.”
Johannesburg – This time John Mitchell was extremely proud of his team.
Even though the Lions’ 19-33 defeat to the Stormers on Saturday was the second biggest of their Vodacom Super Rugby season, the players at least did what the coach had asked of them.
It’s just a pity that they were up against South Africa’s best team at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday.
The Stormers scored a fortuitous try near the end when the score was still 26-19 with the Lions desperately hunting a converted try to square the match.
“I think we did very well and our forwards reacted positively,” Mitchell said by way of comparison with the pack’s weak effort in the set phases in the previous few games.
“We still could not break their defensive line at the right times, but I’m very proud of the players’ efforts.”
Lions captain Doppies la Grange said with a swollen eye that there was no lack of attitude and commitment against the Stormers.
“Unfortunately we gave away easy tries. We wanted to show the supporters that we are a proud side.”
The choice of Wikus van Heerden and David de Villiers as lock pairing proved a success, while Burton Francis may have secured more game time with his performance at flyhalf.
Lions fullback Jaco Taute was the home team’s best attacking player and he deserves his place in the starting line-up.
The Lions next play the Chiefs at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday and they must get a home victory.
After that they have to tour Australasia before playing home games against the Cheetahs and Sharks.
A victory over the Chiefs may well be a realistic target.
The fact that Mitchell expressed his pride in a team that on Saturday lost for the eighth time in nine games says much about the realistic view he is taking on his team’s situation.
“Realistically, we are about seven points behind the other teams in the tournament,” admitted Mitchell.
“That is the position we are in. We have to be more accurate and believe that we can do it. As a team we’re not far away. It’s only seven points and we need to get a grip on it.”
