Comments on: Super 14 Preview #1 of 4 — from 30 000 feet

By: Jerry

Jerry — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:42:26 +0000

Can’t believe the S14 is right on top of us allready.Thanks for the reminder and current status in the franchises.Appreciate it. Have a goodwaan this year.

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By: brnet

brnet — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:25:28 +0000

Love your suggestions for revving up the Lions, thought of applying as their marketing manager as you seem to have an appreciation of how to get to ‘the customers’ and what they want?

Brent

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By: Tony McKeever

Tony McKeever — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:47:33 +0000

Gerry - I feel your pain. The haemoragging of quality players and despondent team must fall at the feet of the leadership of the Lions.

As you say, it is dismal. This was the richest rugby union in the world and for good reason. Outstanding management recognising their commercial hinterland and the value of supporters.

The Lions would sparkle and be glorified if they could shed their prehistoric mindset and adopt a leading edge professional sports strategy.

This is not cured with the addition of the FeLions and a rendition of Ole Ole Ole blasted over the speakers to 3,000 spectators in a 60,000 seater stadium.

What about something for the spectators? Tickets at R20ea - First come first served.

A Day of a Lions festival of rugby, starting with the Under 10’s at 08H30 playing in the 4 quarters of the field going throuth all the age groups until the Lions play a Soweto Rugby Invitational or a Lions Invitational coached by Alan Solomons, or Jake White, or Gert Smal, or Nick Mallett.

That will produce an electric display from the Lions team in front of 50,000 people and make their sponsors smile a little.

Each team playing on the day gets 100 tickets for friends and family and if they want more, give it to them as they are the lifeblood of rugby in the area.

I would love to have the access and potential the Lions have.

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By: Gerry

Gerry — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:54:19 +0000

Lions 100-1?
I do think thats optimistic.

Tony, I’m a die-hard lions fan – and I die harder every year. I take the Lions routine f-ups with good cheer and more than a hint of glass-half-emptiness, seeing the last place finish as inevitable, and should we end two up from the bottom, see it as a victory.

Now I know nothing about rugby except that it consumes too much beer during 80 minutes, so I want to ask you a question: why can’t the Lions – in either rugby or cricket, but rugby will suffice for now – manage to get a decent team together? Johannesburg is the powerhouse of Africa, the wealthiest and most populous city on the continent, yet we are lucky to slot a penalty in 3 games.

Its unfathomable that with the money we have in Joburg, we can’t seem to train, attract and/or keep any valuable players. We are making do with a bunch of second stingers with the occasional flash of brilliance. What does the Lions have to do to actually be part of the super 14, and not just be a team to make up the numbers?

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