John Mitchell

The Lions rugby Union has been in some trouble for almost a decade, with nothing to show in the trophy cabinet since 1999, when they last beat the Sharks to win the premier domestic rugby tournament in South Africa.

Since then it has been slim pickings for the Lions who did make the finals in 2002 and 2007.

On the super Rugby tournament their record has been even worse. They have won only 49 out of 191 Pro super rugby matches, and are most likely the least successful Super rugby team in its 15 year history.

During the amateur era, the Lions won the Super 10 in 1993, the Currie Cup and the Lion cup and made up most of the victorious 1995 world cup springbok team, but after the ousting of Dr. Louis Luyt that was really the last signs of a dominant era for the Golden Lions.

In his first season John Mitchell took the Lions to 7 wins out of 14, narrowly losing out on a Semi Final play off. The subsequently took the Lions to 3 wins out of 16 for his first year with them in the 2011 super rugby tournament famous away wins against the cheetahs, Brumbies and Highlanders after a disastrous 2010 campaign where they lost every match they played.

During this time John Mitchell has advocated that the Golden lions rugby union invest in some well known stars to boost the talent case of the Lions, and players such as Wickus van Heerden, Butch James and CJ v d Linde who can all be seen at the twilight of their careers, joined the Lions cause.

So with a cupboard bare of trophies and star players, John Mitchell and his young cohorts started the 2011 Currie Cup season with 5 wins on the trot, only stopped by western province in a nail biting match which they clinched by 28-26.

This however did not stop the Lions momentum, and they proceeded to win the round robin phase of the competition by winning 10 of their 14 matches.

It was argued by many that the Lions were the team least affected by the touring springboks and if anyone wanted to doubt their credentials they went on to beat a star studded Western Province team in the Semi Final by 29-20.
Once again as the final approached popular opinion had it that the sharks would defend their title with not too much difficulty as they had 7 of their springboks back for the final.

The disappointment could be seen on the Sharks supporter’s faces as they were routed 42-16 by this very young lions outfit and outscoring the sharks by 3 tries to 1.

I think there are two very important men behind this turn around for the Lions and you do not need to look further than John Mitchell and Carlos Spencer.

The way these young guys played yesterday was with total control, no fear and the type of execution not seen by many of the South African Super rugby franchises. They made only 3 handling errors in the match, they ran the ball from anywhere, you could sense that if you put an All Black jumper on these young Lions players, many would have been none the wiser.

I have come to know John Mitchell from listening to him for the past 7 weeks of the RWC, and he was a guest on our Premier Talk show for the world cup, Master plan New Zealand. It wasn’t just the knowledge that he shared, but it was more his perception and the way he spoke about individual players and their skills and what they needed to still develop. He has a great insight into the individual and no one said it better than the Vice Captain of the Lions yesterday after their Currie Cup win.

“John Mitchell has taken a bunch of ordinary guys and made them a team who does extra-ordinary things.”

I do not know what next year will bring for the Lions in the Super rugby tournament, and whether they will get close to challenging the big boys yet. They certainly do need some stars to help them compete on a consistent basis in the super rugby tournament, but there are certainly a few in the making under the tutelage of john Mitchell.

It would be great if SARU was able to look past their egocentric, nepotistic and corporate politics and for once do something good for springbok rugby. In my opinion John Mitchell is a very special talent that we simply cannot miss out on.

Hi,Biltong I concur,John Mitchell with Carlos as his FH from 2001-3 had a brief Golden Era with the All Blacks.An 80% win average including back to back 50 plus back to back 3NS wins v Boks and Aus AWAY.
Carlos Spencer,was one of the most talented All Blacks ever,who could win
or lose a game by an act.
All Blacks require steadyiness at 10,and Merthens was also the better Goal kick.
Certainly as a skills coach there are few better,if Mitchell had one fault he produced .Mobile Packs,not the traditional All Black way of the more monolithic variety.
I thought and commented on the old 606 site that they would be good for the Lions.
Traditional Bok forwards,a fetcher like Broussow,and Backs coached by King Carlos.THAT would be a very frightening team in deed.
Elton Jantjes runs like Carlos,and kicks goals like Merthens not a bad combination.
With only Australia with a n intact Coaching team and virtually unchanged,SA and NZ have there hand full.
AS just one skill now commonplace now,the Spencer Banana kick,using the side of the boot almost exclusive 2001.
The Boks have the chance to play a more balanced game that can only be good for them[outside RWCs]

Hi alan, yes we are starting to see some real talent at 10.

Elton Jantjies who had a brilliant game yesterday in the final
Patrick Lambie, who we know can control a match.
Tony Jantjies, younger brother of Elton, playing for bulls under 19's had a brilliant season.
There is a new kid at WP, who played most of the games for Western Province, Katrakilis.
And then a new sensation goosen for the Bulls.

This will herald a new era for springbok rugby, but only if we get the right coach.

Sounds good alright biltong.
Mitchell may just be getting itchy feet again and is the type to want to gp one further on 2003 with a team like SA.
Just hard to see him working with the SA situation. Hes autocratic and needs complete control so is prone to conflict which he doesnt do well. With the lions he may just have that control. With SA?
Question is also whether SA ready to accommodate that?

Still find it odd he and spencer get on so well, spencer being the more free spirited laid back type.

How has James played Biltong? He was a great servant for Bath and will always be assured of a warm welcome there.

Yeah taylorman, sadly Mitchell will intimidate them and hence not be approached.

PJ Butch only played the last few minutes at inside centre not really enough time to make an impact

But good to see the talent already coming through. If they can take a 'best player' for the position next year rather than go on reputation so heavily that'll be a start.

They had a chance with the second team sent here and Oz 3N but just didnt seem to support it with any conviction- just picked the next best lot and threw them at- focussing on the injuries/ players in line for the cup...

John Mitchell has a lot of fans amongst the RFU - Fran Cotton especially.