19 October 2011
Preview by David van der Merwe
The Lions will face WP in the semi-finals at Coca-Cola Park (Ellis Park) Johannesburg.
The Lions have had a good run of it but came totally unstuck vs the Sharks this weekend losing 53-9. Although this was only their 4th loss out of 14 games it might just spell the end of their journey in the Currie Cup. They have lost vital momentum and it will be hard to regain. True they did start with a weakened team vs the Sharks, but even when the regular starters came on it didn't make a difference. Home ground advantage might just benefit them but against WP with their Springboks this is also not a given.
The Lions have had a good run of it but came totally unstuck vs the Sharks this weekend losing 53-9. Although this was only their 4th loss out of 14 games it might just spell the end of their journey in the Currie Cup. They have lost vital momentum and it will be hard to regain. True they did start with a weakened team vs the Sharks, but even when the regular starters came on it didn't make a difference. Home ground advantage might just benefit them but against WP with their Springboks this is also not a given.
WP struggled during the season with injuries and losing 6 players to the Springbok team. They showed on Saturday that their defence are good and on attack they can ran down any team. They still have the problem with key players being injured. Catrakilis' injury on Saturday vs the Pumas will have them worried. The team do have spirit and most of the players played in last year's final. The experience will help them and with the Boks back they will be a force to reckon with.
This will be a brilliant game with a lot of running rugby to be displayed. The Lions will have to perform a lot better than the past weekend if they want to win this one. WP can build on their last result and will hope Catrakilis and Duvenhage is fit to play this weekend.
My prediction: WP by 7-12. But that is just my view on it.
This will be a brilliant game with a lot of running rugby to be displayed. The Lions will have to perform a lot better than the past weekend if they want to win this one. WP can build on their last result and will hope Catrakilis and Duvenhage is fit to play this weekend.
My prediction: WP by 7-12. But that is just my view on it.
