Lions climb upward URC curve

Though a man down, the Lions proved thoroughly up for the challenge as they ran out 49-24 victors over the Dragons in their

United Rugby Championship (URC) match yesterday. Centre Henco van Wyk, flyhalf Sanele Nohamba, wing Edwill van der Merwe and tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye all played leading roles as the hosts continued their upward curve. The match took a dramatic turn in the 27th minute when Lions lock Ruben Schoeman was banished with a red card after a collision with opposing leftwing Ashton Hewitt.

The wing appeared to make head contact with Schoeman’s right elbow after he kicked ahead, and the Lions lock was returning to terra firma after attempting a charge down.

It was as if referee Andrea Piardi and TMO Gianluca Gnecchi had the weight of the class action suit against World Rugby on their shoulders in arriving at their conclusion.

On Friday, former Test stars Phil Vickery, Gavin Henson, Colin Charvis, Mark Regan and Harry Ellis emerged as part of a large group of former players who allege the neurological damage they suffered in the game came as a result of the negligence of lawmakers.

Rugby’s belated clean-up is messy. The game is at odds with itself as it aims to protect its players while upholding competitive integrity. The lawmakers, however, had better remember that fans pay to watch players on the field, not the unedifying sight of them off it. The red card meant the Lions had to up their effort — and they did that with aplomb.

Sure, their ball retention let them down in the first quarter, but they cleaned up their act. In fact, early on neither team was able to hang onto the ball, particularly in the opposition’s 22, and it resulted in the first three tries being scored from long range.

The Lions, though, were far more assertive at the ruck, and it served them well — particularly in drawing the sting from the visitors’ attack. They were at times electrifying in attack, scoring six tries, but their defence will continue to need work.

Despite being a man down, they finished stronger and their coaches will applaud their pluck and resolve.