john mitchel to continue coaching the lions,,,

John Mitchell to continue coaching Lions

James Mortimer    10.Nov.2012

Former All Blacks coach John Mitchell has been reinstated as head coach of the Lions, after the coach was forced to face misconduct charges after unconfirmed reports that he was too tough on the players.

The Lions this season finished bottom of the Investec Super Rugby table and were stripped of their status, which will result in the Kings and the Eastern Province rugby region making their debut in the competition next year.

Despite winning the Currie Cup Premier Division last season, the Lions have had a difficult campaign in 2012, with the fallout already costing assistant coach Carlos Spencer his position.

Mitchell, despite being talked about as the new head coach of the Sale Sharks, was determined to fight for his future and remain in the Republic.

The Lions released a brief statement and said that Mitchell will rejoin the Lions on full duties next week.

The Golden Lions Rugby Union, which oversees the Lions, said they will make no further comment on the matter.

Mitchell and his lawyer Brian Patterson said that the coach had been cleared of all charges.

congrats mitchel, but i wonder if the lions lack of money played a big part in john mitchel being retained, while using the clear of all charges as a smokescreen of sorts, afterall, mitchell and his mangement were fighting tooth and nail for every last cent he was owed and then this is the outcome,,,o_O

Sasue

Maybe it was not only the lack of money - there is something really weird going on here.   There are some players invovled in serious problems at the Union and the ringleader was apparently Strauss.   However, at the disciplinary hearing only two players turned up to give evidence and although details were not provided - I think that it was Strauss and probably Earl Rose - remember Rose got kicked out of the team by Mitchell - or Jantjies - the latter got subbed early in the Lions - Stormers game because of seriously poor performance problems.   Would like to know which two players were involved - but there is complete silence on that disciplinary hearing.  However,  - but that type of thing would ultinaytely surface - I am sure. 

There may be some political ploy playing itself out in this case - which would come out if the issue is aired in public.   If so, that could have serious implictions in rugby circles and I think the matter is hushed up on that accoiunt.   My suspicions is srenghtened by an article by keo - after which the politicans started shouting and screaming about racism in selections.

Be it as it may - I am glad Mitchell is back.   He will yet do something positive with the Lions team.   

 How long is his contract for? Will he be happy playing in no competition next year during the SuperXV?

@clevermike,

so only two [players showed up??? o_O, WTF,,,thats hardly the united front of team vs mitchell the media made it out tlo be.

ur right there is something fishy going on, im hoping that the boys didnt say they were behind strauss and then left him to face the music alone, that is anti band of brother stuff that i really hate.

just a question, would the lions not compete in the vodacom cup???

 Sas just too clarify... I may not have my facts 100 percent with regards to union names... But to give u an idea...

The gauteng lions rugby union is the team that competes in the currie cup and vodacom cup.

The lions franchise is made up of the lions union AND north west rugby union... And they compete in the super rugby comp

The sharks comprises of the sharks union, eastern province and border rugby union

The cheetahs are made up of free state rugby union and griquas rugby union and the griffons rugby union 

The stormers are made up of western province rugby union and Borland rugby union

The bulls are made up of the blue bulls rugby union and the pumas rugby union