6
Quote
While the Lions may not have set the Rebel Sport Super 14 pre-season alight, Carlos Spencer impressed with his debut performance for the Johannesburg based side.
The former All Black, Blues, Gloucester and Northampton star is the Lions biggest signing ever, and was showcasing his numerous skills as the perennial strugglers overcame Currie Cup newcomers the Pumas 24-17 in Witbank.
The Lions struggled against a committed performance from the young Pumas side, but amidst it all, stood one of the most flamboyant and brash playmakers world rugby has ever seen.
Banana kicks, pinpoint cross kicks, rifled passes and even one or two turns of pace despite the 34 year old legs were on display as Spencer showed he can still entertain, and possibly give the Lions a new edge as they prepare to start their 2010 campaign.
New coach Dick Muir had purposely kept Spencer on ice for the early stages of the pre-season, but unveiled his glamour back for the final match and was impressed with the performance of the first five eighth.
'The outstanding ray of light in a rather dull performance was former All Black flyhalf Carlos Spencer. He showed in no uncertain manner that the move to lure him to Gauteng was a good one,' said the South Africa SuperSport website.
"Spencer kept the Pumas on the back foot with cross kicks and was sharp in his distribution. His quick thinking launched an attack for the Lions' wing youngster, Wandile Mjekevu, who crossed the try line in the 12th minute.”
"Despite King Carlos's inspiring performance, the rest of the Lions couldn't finish on countless occasions in the main match, although inside centre Doppies le Grange also had a solid game and is one of the few who can be satisfied about his game."
Whether or not Muir, the former Sharks coach, and Spencer, who at his peak was one of the most influential playmakers in the game, can transform the Lions still remains to be seen.
They will host the Stormers, who are being rated in South Africa as a red hot title candidate, at Ellis Park in the opening round on Sunday, New Zealand time.
The former All Black, Blues, Gloucester and Northampton star is the Lions biggest signing ever, and was showcasing his numerous skills as the perennial strugglers overcame Currie Cup newcomers the Pumas 24-17 in Witbank.
The Lions struggled against a committed performance from the young Pumas side, but amidst it all, stood one of the most flamboyant and brash playmakers world rugby has ever seen.
Banana kicks, pinpoint cross kicks, rifled passes and even one or two turns of pace despite the 34 year old legs were on display as Spencer showed he can still entertain, and possibly give the Lions a new edge as they prepare to start their 2010 campaign.
New coach Dick Muir had purposely kept Spencer on ice for the early stages of the pre-season, but unveiled his glamour back for the final match and was impressed with the performance of the first five eighth.
'The outstanding ray of light in a rather dull performance was former All Black flyhalf Carlos Spencer. He showed in no uncertain manner that the move to lure him to Gauteng was a good one,' said the South Africa SuperSport website.
"Spencer kept the Pumas on the back foot with cross kicks and was sharp in his distribution. His quick thinking launched an attack for the Lions' wing youngster, Wandile Mjekevu, who crossed the try line in the 12th minute.”
"Despite King Carlos's inspiring performance, the rest of the Lions couldn't finish on countless occasions in the main match, although inside centre Doppies le Grange also had a solid game and is one of the few who can be satisfied about his game."
Whether or not Muir, the former Sharks coach, and Spencer, who at his peak was one of the most influential playmakers in the game, can transform the Lions still remains to be seen.
They will host the Stormers, who are being rated in South Africa as a red hot title candidate, at Ellis Park in the opening round on Sunday, New Zealand time.
I know the Pumas are hardly S14 standard but the Lions have just got them selves one more person willing to watch their games.
