White to turn Kitties into Lions

[EtienneK]

Jake White will consult with the Golden Lions for the next four months in an attempt to improve the players’ shocking skill and fitness levels.

White’s consultancy, Jake White’s Winning Way, has signed a deal with the Johannesburg union until the end of the 2009 Absa Currie Cup. The World Cup-winning coach hopes his influence will prepare the Lions for next year’s Super 14.

‘Every team uses the Currie Cup to prepare for the Super 14,’ White told keo.co.za. ‘I’m sure the Currie Cup will still unfold as it would have, but I guarantee the Lions players will be better and fitter.

‘I don’t want to say we’re rebuilding because I think people around here are sick of hearing that. But we are working towards next year’s Super 14.

‘This period is about putting the correct structures in place. It not a quick fix, but we want to ensure that there’s a professional environment that will entice the top players to move here. If they can see that there is a professional set up and that the players are looked after, it will make a difference.’

Under Loffie Eloff, the Lions finished 12th in 2007, dead last in 2008 and 12th in 2009. It’s not hard to understand why Eloff was axed.

But after an in-depth assessment, White has made some frightening discoveries. Reading these stats, it’s not hard to see why the Lions have fared so badly in the recent years.

Derik Coetzee, who was part of White’s management team at the 2007 World Cup, will help with the conditioning of the Lions’ players. The union is planning to recruit some talent, but in working with what they have, peak physical condition is non-negotiable.

‘You have to ensure that there is synergy between the conditioning programme and the style of play,’ said White. ‘If you are going to play that aerobic game, you need to ensure your team is fit.

‘I don’t think anyone sat down and considered this before. The important thing is to be positive and look how we can improve going forward.’

White added he will work closely with incumbent Lions coach Hans Coetzee in the Currie Cup. A look at the stats below will confirm White and his colleagues have their work cut out for them.

Props
Normal fat %: 12. Lions: 19.8.
Normal repeat sprint: 720m. Lions sprint: 638m.
Normal 3km: 12.45. Lions: 16.06.
Normal 10m: 1.8. Lions: 1.95.
Normal Bench kg/Body mass: 1.3. Lions: 1.1.

Hookers
Normal fat %: 11. Lions: 16.25.
Normal repeat sprint: 750m. Lions sprint: 647m.
Normal 3km: 12.00. Lions: 14.08.
Normal 10m: 1.75. Lions: 1.84.
Normal Bench kg/Body mass: 1.3. Lions: 1.3.

Locks
Normal fat %: 12. Lions: 15.72.
Normal repeat sprint: 750m. Lions sprint: 630m.
Normal 3km: 12.15. Lions: 14.10.
Normal 10m: 1.75. Lions: 1.92.
Normal Bench kg/Body mass: 1.3. Lions: 1.075.

Loose forwards
Normal fat %: 10. Lions: 12.
Normal repeat sprint: 760m. Lions sprint: 687m.
Normal 3km: 11.45. Lions: 13.10.
Normal 10m: 1.75. Lions: 1.82.
Normal Bench kg/Body mass: 1.5. Lions: 1.3.

Inside backs
Normal fat %: 9. Lions: 13.5.
Normal repeat sprint: 780m. Lions sprint: 680m.
Normal 3km: 11.15. Lions: 13.86.
Normal 10m: 1.65. Lions: 1.75.
Normal Bench kg/Body mass: 1.5. Lions: 1.3.

Outside backs
Normal fat %: 9. Lions: 12.2.
Normal repeat sprint: 780m. Lions sprint: 702m.
Normal 3km: 11.15. Lions: 13.8.
Normal 10m: 1.65. Lions: 1.75.
Normal 40m: 5.1. Lions: 5.
Normal Bench kg/Body mass: 1.5. Lions: 1.3.

http://www.keo.co.za/2009/06/26/white-to-turn-kitties-into-lions/

Interesting stats! Would like to see the other unions'.

Hope Jake succeeds! I'm at the point of giving up on my beloved Lions

 

[jannievanzyl]

Was chatting to Jake last week in JHB and he mentioned he's busy helping the Lions. I obviously thought he meant the British Lions, so completely trashed my name......

 

[marine1]

Was chatting to Jake last week in JHB and he mentioned he's busy helping the Lions. I obviously thought he meant the British Lions, so completely trashed my name......

Rofl, I would have done the same.

 

[EtienneK]

Was chatting to Jake last week in JHB and he mentioned he's busy helping the Lions. I obviously thought he meant the British Lions, so completely trashed my name......

Hehe. In all fairness, he did say that he wanted to help the BI Lions last year, so it's not a difficult mistake to make

Just hope he fixes MY lions.

 

[medicnick83]

Was chatting to Jake last week in JHB and he mentioned he's busy helping the Lions. I obviously thought he meant the British Lions, so completely trashed my name......

Don't go out and piss people off boet!