Lions WTF ?

[Pitbull]

I have now had it with the Lions, after supporting them for 19 years I have had enough.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Ru.../01-01-0001 12-01/Cheetahs_sign_Louis_Strydom

When will they learn to keep the talent they have ? I can name plenty of big players all of them found by the Lions but left to go and play for other sides. I mean WTF ? Retain these players FFS.

Conrad Janjes
Jaco Pretorius
Schalk Brits
Brian Habana

and that is just in the last few years. I'm seriously pissed off about this attitude the GLRU has in relation to the players. It's fk'ng retarded damn it.

Fk the Lions, time to support the Bulls.

 

[APoc184]

Same applies for my Cheetahs but there is no money in Bloem.
I can't mention all the big names produced by FS that is currently playing at the other teams.
Deon Stegman
Frans Steyn
Du Plessis brothers
Ruan Pienaar
Duane Vermeulen
etc...
etc...

But YES.. The Lions really did let a few stars slip through their fingers.

 

[Devill]

I have now had it with the Lions, after supporting them for 19 years I have had enough.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Ru.../01-01-0001 12-01/Cheetahs_sign_Louis_Strydom

When will they learn to keep the talent they have ? I can name plenty of big players all of them found by the Lions but left to go and play for other sides. I mean WTF ? Retain these players FFS.

Conrad Janjes
Jaco Pretorius
Schalk Brits
Brian Habana

and that is just in the last few years. I'm seriously pissed off about this attitude the GLRU has in relation to the players. It's fk'ng retarded damn it.

Fk the Lions, time to support the Bulls.

Same applies for my Cheetahs but there is no money in Bloem.
I can't mention all the big names produced by FS that is currently playing at the other teams.
Deon Stegman
Frans Steyn
Du Plessis brothers
Ruan Pienaar
Duane Vermeulen
etc...
etc...

But YES.. The Lions really did let a few stars slip through their fingers.

Yeah
I really feel sad for the cheetahs because they don't have the money to hold on to every player, out of the "big 5" they are the smallest.

But in the lions case it is really really fscked up because IIRC they are the second richest union in SA.

 

[APoc184]

I just hope and pray that the FS Rugby Union can come up with money to keep Robert Ebersohn in Bloem.
That guy is amazing and the next Mannetjies Roux/Danie Gerber.
Thumbs up to them for already contracting Heinrich Brussow till 2011. If they could keep him there and keep Robert Ebersohn and build on some youngsters like PW v Vuuren, Lionel Mapoe, Philip Snyman, Coenie "Shrek" Oosthuizen and Piet Lindeque. Then I am sure the Cheetahs have a bright future ahead.
But money makes the world go round. And I understand these kids only get so many years to play professional rugby and need to get the most money possible out of that period.

 

[Devill]

I just hope and pray that the FS Rugby Union can come up with money to keep Robert Ebersohn in Bloem.
That guy is amazing and the next Mannetjies Roux/Danie Gerber.
Thumbs up to them for already contracting Heinrich Brussow till 2011. If they could keep him there and keep Robert Ebersohn and build on some youngsters like PW v Vuuren, Lionel Mapoe, Philip Snyman, Coenie "Shrek" Oosthuizen and Piet Lindeque. Then I am sure the Cheetahs have a bright future ahead.
But money makes the world go round. And I understand these kids only get so many years to play professional rugby and need to get the most money possible out of that period.

Yeah they should really focus more and more on the S14 cause thats where the big bucks are

But winning / doing well in the currie cup will also be a financial boost

 

[sox63]

Yeah
I really feel sad for the cheetahs because they don't have the money to hold on to every player, out of the "big 5" they are the smallest.

But in the lions case it is really really fscked up because IIRC they are the second richest union in SA.

I think that was back in the Luyt era, not sure about that statement recently. My money would be on the Bulls being the richest.

 

[Devill]

I think that was back in the Luyt era, not sure about that statement recently. My money would be on the Bulls being the richest.

Thats why I said the Lions are the second richest I agree that the bulls are prob the richest atm.

Also they sold the name rights for Ellispark for a year or so and that netted them a bundle. And its not like they are buying players back or offering higher paychecks

 

[Globetrotter]

I have now had it with the Lions, after supporting them for 19 years I have had enough.
When will they learn to keep the talent they have ?

Unfortunately that's one of the downsides of professionalism in sport, money talks.

Schalk Brits

Not that it matters but Brits is actually from Cape Town, played WP u/20 etc. before he was BOUGHT by the Lions.... lol

 

[Submolecule]

Same applies for my Cheetahs but there is no money in Bloem.
I can't mention all the big names produced by FS that is currently playing at the other teams.
Deon Stegman
Frans Steyn
Du Plessis brothers
Ruan Pienaar
Duane Vermeulen
etc...
etc...

But YES.. The Lions really did let a few stars slip through their fingers.

I thought most of those came from the sharks academy, I am obviously wrong.

 

[APoc184]

I thought most of those came from the sharks academy, I am obviously wrong.

Some of them did go through the Sharks Academy but they all(except for Vermeulen) graduated matric from Grey College Bloem.
Thing is the FS does not have something in place like the Sharks Academy and it is obvious that lots of players will leave.
But FS could really do a little more to keep their talented youngsters.

PS. Vermeulen and Jannie du Plessis won 2 Currie Cups when playing at the Cheetahs.

 

[Abe]

I have now had it with the Lions, after supporting them for 19 years I have had enough.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Ru.../01-01-0001 12-01/Cheetahs_sign_Louis_Strydom

When will they learn to keep the talent they have ? I can name plenty of big players all of them found by the Lions but left to go and play for other sides. I mean WTF ? Retain these players FFS.

Conrad Janjes
Jaco Pretorius
Schalk Brits
Brian Habana

and that is just in the last few years. I'm seriously pissed off about this attitude the GLRU has in relation to the players. It's fk'ng retarded damn it.

Fk the Lions, time to support the Bulls.

I am not going to support them any more until they get rid of Earl Rose.

 

[SpySam]

I am not going to support them any more until they get rid of Earl Rose.

Good luck with that, its all they can afford atm.

 

[Bizkit87]

/off topic

isn't the sharks the richest team in south africa

 

[Pitbull]

/off topic

isn't the sharks the richest team in south africa

I higly doubt that. The Bulls are the richest AFAIK. Just look at the class players they have and they STAY THERE

 

[zeb]

Same applies for my Cheetahs but there is no money in Bloem.
I can't mention all the big names produced by FS that is currently playing at the other teams.
Deon Stegman
Frans Steyn
Du Plessis brothers
Ruan Pienaar
Duane Vermeulen
etc...
etc...

But YES.. The Lions really did let a few stars slip through their fingers.

You should count the players that aren't from Freestate in the Cheetah team. They're just like other teams - they buy players in a professional era.

As for the talent going elsewhere, have you seen the trust Drotske has put in his up and comers lately? He bought Louis Strydom from the Lions to play flyhalf

BTW the Bulls are the richest SA union. They have a MASSIVE deal with Vodacom.

 

[Devill]

I higly doubt that. The Bulls are the richest AFAIK. Just look at the class players they have and they STAY THERE

Yes but the bulls for some reason also get it right to make the players feel like family.

(yes yes I know the $$$$ also doesnt hurt)

 

[APoc184]

You should count the players that aren't from Freestate in the Cheetah team. They're just like other teams - they buy players in a professional era.

As for the talent going elsewhere, have you seen the trust Drotske has put in his up and comers lately? He bought Louis Strydom from the Lions to play flyhalf

BTW the Bulls are the richest SA union. They have a MASSIVE deal with Vodacom.

I don't think Louis Strydom was that bad a decision. With Rossouw out and Potgieter our only other specialist flyhalf we needed another experienced player. Look at guys like Marius Joubert and Chris Rossouw. Both came to Bloem and got back to great form. I see no reason why Louis can't do the same.
I know there is Sias Ebersohn, but I have seen him play many many times and he struggles when the pressure gets bigger. Rather let him continue playing Vodacom Cup for now and then start playing him off the bench against smaller unions in the Currie Cup. He is not even close to being in the same class as his brother Robert.

Grey in Bloem is again turning out big stars this year. Already smashed Paarl Boys High 50-8. Playing Affies soon and would like to see that result. My prediction? Close to the Paarl score.

 

[Bizkit87]

but the bulls (under heyneke) managed to be a 'family' i remember the sharks offered habanna, du preez and matfield A LOT more money than they got at the bulls, and all three said they wanted to stay loyal to the bulls....

 

[Pitbull]

but the bulls (under heyneke) managed to be a 'family' i remember the sharks offered habanna, du preez and matfield A LOT more money than they got at the bulls, and all three said they wanted to stay loyal to the bulls....

There is something they give these players at Loftus

Look at Joost back then, Australia offered him a World first salary if he was to come play there. But he declined and said he is loyal to the bulls... Seriously, the bulls players never leave

 

[HypoThesis]

There is something they give these players at Loftus

Look at Joost back then, Australia offered him a World first salary if he was to come play there. But he declined and said he is loyal to the bulls... Seriously, the bulls players never leave

Have you ever taken a walk to Loftus just before a Bulls game? Leaving the Bulls and knowing all those 'okes' braaiing next to their bakkies are gonna hate you will scare the kark out of anyone.

(why do you think Bakkies stayed? Don't believe any of that "legal contract" nonsense, we all know Bakkies can't read. )