The Lions shock

@ Mike 

Is Kriel still your starter in June?

Ginnie Kwagga at 13 any day ahead of him :)

I anticipated stronger opposition from the Reds and I think I said as much prior to the game but I also expected the Lions to win so I'm a bit disappointed that they lost. Dreyer folded as predicted(would be interesting to see if Mr Cut will still hang with him) , Tambwe did nothing and should have been substituted earlier but overall I thought it a game of two halves with the Lions leaving too many points on the board before making their charge.

The Lions played well - Unlucky for the intercept

The rest might have done ou hacked waaugh some good!

Plum

I do not really rate Kriel very highly and think the situation at 13 is problematic.  Maybe the situation should change and De Allende play at 13 and Esterhuizen at 12 - that would mean two very similar players in the backline center combination,  but that would not necessarily be a crazy proposition.

The other option is perhaps Smith as suggested by you - but I do not really like to move forwards to play in backlines - never heard of a case where it really worked.

Boks are dead in the water @ 9/12 and 13....there's no standout. It's anyone's guess.

kingcorn

The only usable loosie was in fact Kwagga - the other two were not up to standard,  Kwagga to my mind remains the best Sevens player in the world - he should not play 15 man rugby.   And that Ori - he is not worth the space he occupies at lock.    

Orie had a few poaches on the opposition throw but then lost some of his own. 

I disagree on that quagga was the best loosie. His general play might be good but brink and erasmus got over the advantage line at will. The Lions direct approach with bigger, heavier loosies helped them with that.