Southern Kings v British & Irish Lions Post Match Thoughts
By Lion's Eye
June 16 2009
Southern Kings v British & Irish Lions Post Match Thoughts
June 16 2009
Southern Kings v British & Irish Lions Post Match Thoughts
Southern Kings 8 v 20 British & Irish Lions
Post Match Thoughts
British and Irish Lions Ugo Monye gets to the ball ahead of the Southern Kings Matthew Turner to score a try - All pictures by Empics
The Lions go into their First Test against the SpringBoks unbeaten, but whilst the score shows unbeaten the brutal onslaught from the Southern Kings will have left them in no doubt of the battles to come.
The Kings set out their stall as they meant to go on, right from the start they gave a full-on physical assault, almost war like in many ways with cheap shots, late tackles and some nasty rucking. However, the Lions kept their cool, did not retaliate and were professional under immense provocation.
Tempers flare between the British and Irish Lions Gordon DArcy (left) and Simon Shaw and the Southern Kings De Wet Barry (no.12) and Solly Tyibilika (no.6)
The last match before the first Test, well history might show that this match was always expected to be a hard one and their tactics perhaps to take out some of the Lions from the first test due to injury?........... You could say that it worked, as we saw Murray limping off and James Hook coming off.
Lions Euan Murray is treated for an injury & Lions James Hook is helped off the pitch
Ian McGeechan's thoughts:-
"They (Southern Kings) wanted to make a game of it," "It was pretty full on, and we had to keep enough composure to win the game, which was the very pleasing aspect of it. "A penalty try proved technically that we kept our heads. We kept doing damage where it hurt them most.
"The players have swapped jerseys, and we move on. We’ve come out with a win - our composure was very important. "I am really proud of the discipline we showed - it showed the players’ focus - and they got their just reward."
"We might have an initial chat tonight, but tomorrow we will go through every position and have a discussion," he added. "There are close calls in a number of areas. "I thought we were very professional, which is what I was proud of. The players responded very well to each other. "They wanted to produce a tough game for us, and they did that. They were keen to do well against us, and that’s fine."
McGeechan is due to announce his line-up on Thursday for the First Test, we wait with baited breath.
Southern Kings: Tiger Mangweni, Wylie Human, Frikkie Welsh, De Wet Barry, Matthew Turner, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Francois Hourgaard; Jaco Engels, Derick Kuun (capt), Ruan Vermeulen, Ross Skeate, Marco Wentzel, Solly Tyibilika, Mpho Mbiyozo, Darron Nell. Replacements: Delarey du Preez, Dean Greyling, Lungelo Payi, Dries van Schalkwyk, Josh Fowles (for Hougaard, 42), Bevin Fortuin, Mzwandile Stick (on for Human, 55).
Lions: Keith Earls, Ugo Monye, Riki Flutey, Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, James Hook, Mike Blair, Andrew Sheridan, Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Simon Shaw, Donncha O'Callaghan, Nathan Hines, Joe Worsley, Andy Powell. Replacements: Matthew Rees (for Ford, 64), Adam Jones (for Murray, 7), Tom Croft, David Wallace, Harry Ellis, Ronan O'Gara (for Hook, 12), Shane Williams (for Monye, 64)
Kings (3) 8
Tries: Mbiyozo Pens: Van der Westhuyzen
Lions (3) 20
Tries: Monye, penalty Cons: O'Gara 2 Pens: O'Gara 2
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Southern Kings v British & Irish Lions Post Match Thoughts
Posted by: Lions 2009 (IP Logged)
Date: 16/06/2009 18:18
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Re: Southern Kings v British & Irish Lions Post Match Thoughts
Posted by: Madtyke (IP Logged)
Date: 16/06/2009 20:44
No real stand out players in this game for me, again Andy Powell attempting to use his battering ram style of play to no good effect and turning ball over. Nathan Hines is definately a midweeker and as for giving Donachae the captaincy (LOL) what a joke!
Very good defensively but thought the 2nd rows looked worried when Nigel Owens told them that if they didn't sort out the handbags he'd bang them!!
[www.arborfieldoldboys.co.uk]
Very good defensively but thought the 2nd rows looked worried when Nigel Owens told them that if they didn't sort out the handbags he'd bang them!!
[www.arborfieldoldboys.co.uk]
Re: Southern Kings v British & Irish Lions Post Match Thoughts
Posted by: PoyntonShark (IP Logged)
Date: 17/06/2009 01:45
Powell was poor. Mike Blair's run of bad form continues. Hines could be a test second row, but not back row. Disappointed with O'Gara. D'Arcy and Flutey didn't click (but Blair and O'Gara didn't provide much decent ball). Ford may have claimed a spot on the bench with that performance, chucking in a bit dodgy early on, but improved. Good scrummage and good loose work. Props did well, scrum slowed down a little when Jones came on, but he soon 'warmed up' and normal service resumed.
I reckon the SA media is getting a bit nervous. they started the tour being very even handed, as the first test approaches every decision against the SA side is met with howling criticism of the ref, the penalty try staggered them. They are still able to appreciate good play by the Lions though.
We are the angry mob. We read the papers every day. We like who we like, we hate who we hate, but we're also easily swayed.
I reckon the SA media is getting a bit nervous. they started the tour being very even handed, as the first test approaches every decision against the SA side is met with howling criticism of the ref, the penalty try staggered them. They are still able to appreciate good play by the Lions though.
We are the angry mob. We read the papers every day. We like who we like, we hate who we hate, but we're also easily swayed.
Re: Southern Kings v British & Irish Lions Post Match Thoughts
Posted by: Faith Anbegorrah (IP Logged)
Date: 17/06/2009 09:01
See in today's Times that Alan Solomons,the Kings coach,said,"When touring sides used to come to Eastern Province,we used to climb into them and it was an incredible effort from my boys".
Roughly translated,that means "We're@#$%&at rugby but we're pretty good at underhand rough house,so that's alright."
What a bunch of woodentops!
Roughly translated,that means "We're@#$%&at rugby but we're pretty good at underhand rough house,so that's alright."
What a bunch of woodentops!
Re: Southern Kings v British & Irish Lions Post Match Thoughts
Posted by: West Park Allotment (IP Logged)
Date: 17/06/2009 09:41
A lot of it was brutal but the Southern Kings were miles ahead at the breakdown.
The stand out Lions player for me was Simon Shaw who must start on Saturday.
The stand out Lions player for me was Simon Shaw who must start on Saturday.
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