The Lions should never have chosen a Leopard for a coach...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/7158055/Mitchell-suspended-Carlos-Spencer-to-step-up

Its actually surprising it took this long to happen with the fairly long period the Lions have been at the bottom of the rung. John Mitchell would be the first name on the page to be linked with the words Rugby coach suspended. No doubt he has laid the blame for 'his' failure squarely on the Lions players and has from reports become abusive.

Many Kiwi's jumped on his appointment with the Lions and warned that he was divisive in his methods and so it proved to be. Hopefully his consistent record of creating a negative environment and angst amongst players will prevent him from being paid to coach again.

After all, a leopard doesnt change its spots...

I think the Lions have very short memories.

Before Mitchell took over I have never seen a more unprofessional club in world rugby.

Post RWC Jake White did coaching consultancy and worked with a stats company which offered in depth analysis of players, strategies etc.

He worked with all SR teams & in n 2008/9 when he was hired by the Lions his results were shocking. Only 1 player in the entire squad met the ave. fitness levels of SR players... out of like 40 players.

Watching them pre Mitchell years the entire team resembled 15 props chugging their way through a field... it was embarassing.

The lions have been a unprofessional both on the field and off the field... I would imagine there is much more to this than players complaining of his style.

The Lions have been deadbeats for years, its to Mitchells testiment that he managed to make them reasonably competitive.... so it hasn't happened for them on the pitch... they have had something like 20 players injured for much of the season, most of them senior players.... when they've been at relatively full strength they've done ok (such as smashing the sharks 1 month ago).

I would say that he does tend to rub people up the wrong way and it will only have got worse for a team at the bottom of the ladder and looking towards SR relegation next year.

Looks like its the final nail in the coffin for Transvaal... RIP.