Lions are 'pretty ordinary'

The Lions have received mixed reviews from the South African media. They have good fans but “pretty ordinary” players.

The Lions have received mixed reviews from the South African media. They have good fans but “pretty ordinary” players. Here is a taste of the local press.

“True, they outscored Western Province by three tries to one. But their continuing tendency to give away constant penalties puts a serious question mark against their ability to live with the Springboks.

“With time running out and the first Test just a week away, you'd have thought Ian McGeechan's men would have found another gear at Newlands, moving smoothly onto a level of performance which would have crushed a far from full strength local challenge.

“But these Lions continue to look at best modest, at worst pretty ordinary.”
– The Sunday Independent (South Africa)

“Despite the rain, Newlands attracted the largest crowd of the British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa to date as the tourists held on for a 26-23 victory over Western Province in a thrilling encounter yesterday afternoon.

“The huge crowd braved unpleasant conditions as rain driven by blustery winds sheeted down moments before kickoff, but the crowd grew as the winter showers abated.

“The tourists were cheered on by a large contingent of Lions fans who made their presence felt whenever Welsh flyhalf Stephen Jones lined up for a kick at goal, their chants reverberating throughout the stadium.”
– The Weekend Argus

“The Lions might still be unbeaten at the halfway mark of this tour and their Test team might be taking shape, but for the tourists it must be just a little disconcerting that their Saturday side continue to resemble dirt trackers.

“Unlike their midweek maulers, the Saturday side continue to stutter. Yesterday, again, they got themselves into a tight spot before they skilfully extricated themselves.”
– The Sunday Times (South Africa)

“The Lions have been inconsistent … I understand that they have mixed and matched their combinations to give everybody a run but that is exactly the problem they have: there isn't a clear front-runner in quite a few positions for a Test spot.

“These Lions just do not have the talent base of the Boks. And it doesn't even matter what game plan is employed by coach De Villiers.

“Their forwards will be competitive, but even in that facet, the Boks will at least match them. And with Du Preez setting the tempo alongside Pienaar, who is going to stop the Boks? Not these Lions!”
– Ashfak Mohamed, Cape Times