Waratahs demolish defenceless Lions
by Brenden Nel | 12 March 2010 (12:25)
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| Drew Mitchell © Gallo Images |
The wheels came off in spectacular fashion for the Auto and General Lions as they were hammered 73-12 by the Waratahs in their Vodacom Super 14 game at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday.
Blow-by-blow scoring
After putting up some gutsy performances this season, the Lions conceded 11 tries, and missed countless tackles as they slumped to their worst defeat in Super Rugby as a franchise, eclipsing the 55-10 loss to the Blues in Johannesburg in 2008.
It wasn’t the worst defeat in Super rugby history as the Cats lost heavily to the Brumbies in 2000 in Canberra 64-0, but in terms of what coach Dick Muir wants to achieve, this blow will be heavier.
On attack the Lions once again looked good when they could string a few phases together, and although they only scored twice, were held up over the line three times when there were too many bodies to give a decision.
But on defence they were shocking, and Muir’s continued assertion that they don’t need a full-time defensive coach is beginning to become a bit of a joke as tackles were missed throughout the game by the visitors.
Not only did it give the Waratahs confidence, but also a host of records to hold onto. It was the first time the Australian franchise had scored 11 times in a match; the most points ever by the Waratahs and Drew Mitchell became the first Waratah to score four tries in the game.
Mitchell became the ninth player in Super rugby history to score four times, as his teammates claimed the bonus point by the 31st minute in a game where the only guesswork was about how high the scoreline would be.
For the Lions the return of Jano Vermaak without incident was the most positive thing on the night, while Todd Clever, Doppies la Grange and Kevin Buys were their best players.
While there is much cause for introspection after a loss like this, the Lions will be wondering if their money spent on Carlos Spencer as pivot is beginning to look like a waste of resources, as the former All Black has hardly showed any spark since playing for the Lions, and the one time he tried a deft kick, it landed squarely in lock Dean Mumm’s hands for a 40 metre try against the run of play.
Mitchell opened the scoring by pushing his way over the line in the fifth minute where only referee Vinny Munro could see the ball. And the winger, who moved to the Waratahs this season, was briefly the villain shortly afterwards as he knocked back a ball in a comedy of errors, then knocked it again over the line and watched splayed on the floor as Tonderai Chavhanga pounced for the Lions' first try.
Spencer’s bad kick put the Lions behind the cosh, before Tom Carter powered his way over and Wandile Mjekevu failed to control a bobbling grubber kick and allowed Lachie Turner in for the bonus point try.
Mitchell scored his second on the stroke of half time with a beautiful inside ball which was allowed even though Wycliff Palu took out two defenders with a dummy run missed by the referee.
In the second half, the Waratahs stepped up the pace to run away with the game, and Palu was the first to score from an excellent cross-kick by Berrick Barnes after the Lions were stretched.
Mitchell added two more to bring up the fifty before the Lions got one back through replacement prop JC Janse van Rensburg from close range.
Josh Holmes added his name to the scoresheet twice -- although his first shouldn’t have been allowed as Lachie Turner clearly stepped out as the move was on -- and Lachie Turner ran the length of the field on the fulltime whistle when the Lions lost the ball while being camped on the Waratahs tryline.
The Lions move on to Christchurch now and even more heartbreak waits. Unless Muir can find a defence coach in New Zealand this week to work a miracle, there might even be more records before the tour is finished.
SCORERS:
Waratahs:
Tries - Drew Mitchell (4), Lachlan Turner (2), Josh Holmes (2), Dean Mumm, Tom Carter, Wycliff Palu. Conversions - Berrick Barnes (9).
Auto & General Lions:
Tries - Tonderai Chavhanga, JC Janse van Rensburg. Conversion - Burton Francis.
Read more on the Super 14 page.
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