Currie Cup Champions 2011

Having just seen the conclusion of the Currie Cup final of 2011, I have to say categorically that I am very happy.

I agree with many pundits in that I like to see the top-ranked team win the Currie Cup and at times I am quite sorry that they need to partake in this play off scenario. Perhaps we could look at the teams ranked two to five playing off for the absolute privilege for playing the final against the top team. It the top-ranked team the respect it deserves. Too idealistic? Perhaps.

With a packed out Coca Cola Park, very enthusiastic Sharks supporters trying hard but still fading into obscurity amongst the red and white of the Lions, the final lived up to all the splendour expected. This final showed me one very specific thing — the better coached team won the final. Steady before you jump up and down; coaching means many things today. John Mitchell has shown that he connects with the players, which is seen on the field for sure. The team spirit is what carried this proud team. Technically, the set pieces were really good. I have to say that Springbok front row of the Sharks, Du Plessis brothers and Beast were very ordinary. Bismarck showed little of anything that caused international press to clamour for his selection ahead of former Springbok captain John Smit.

I felt that that outside of the front row the Sharks struggled with Hoffman at 9. He never showed me anything in this game that makes him a number 9 of the future. I feel the Sharks are very lean in this department and it cost them in the final. I would suggest that some very serious shopping be on the cards as I believe to beef up this crucial delivery point of any rugby team is of paramount importance to any team. For the Currie Cup Champions 2011, quite the opposite was Michael Bandisio at 9 who was nippy and exceptionally clean in his service to the 100% kicking flyhalf, Elton Jantijies. The latter very deservedly won the man of the match award.

So why did Greg call the Sharks to win by 3-6? Great and valid question.

I felt that the Springboks returning for the Sharks had sufficient time to settle in and get back into it and that their experience and team spirit may be just too much. Guess I was wrong and I am happy to be wrong in this case. The Lions were not only the better team in the final after executing a ball deprivation strategy to perfection, but they have been on form and the dominant team of 2011. It would have been a shame for any other team to win it. Coach John Mitchell deserves an immense amount credit for his perseverance and dedication! He has won the battle of the New Zealand coaches and I do believe that Mitchell is the superior coach technically. The man led the All Blacks to an 82.1% win rate so he can’t be all that bad. Do you remember a Springbok coach winning over 80% of his games?

The Lions team played without their captain for the latter part of the first half, a lesson perhaps the Wales national team could take. They held a superb structure on both defence and attack going into half-time 19-6 in the lead. The Sharks showed some level of threat at the start of the second half but it was short lived. On the day the Lions just clicked in the most supreme way possible.

It remains important now for the Lions to really capitalise on this and continue developing talent across the union, under 21, under 19 and schools. Please do not wait for the schools’ Craven Week trials to ascertain what talent exists. It is there for all to see and watch. Work with the school coaches to ensure that Golden Lions Rugby prevails from this which many are tweeting as possibly a new era of Lions rugby.

Well done Lions, I think it is magnificent that you won the coveted Currie Cup rugby trophy for 2011.