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Jimmy Stonehouse (Gallo Images)
- Cougars’ mentor Jimmy Stonehouse nullified any hopes of the Lions to reschedule their Super Rugby Unlocked match, which was affected by Covid-19.
- The Lions are understood to have suggested Tuesday’s start, but the Lowvelders have suggested the timing could be disingenuous, as the Johannesburgs had a week off.
- Lions boss Rudolf Straeuli insists it’s not a major problem, but firmly believes the game can be accommodated.
Jimmy Stonehouse, the Pumas ‘director of rugby, has poured cold water on the Lions’ suggestion that they meet their postponed Super Rugby Unlocked match next week.
The kickoff meeting at Ellis Park last weekend was severely disrupted by three positive Covid-19 tests among the Lowvelders gaming group, requiring the quarantine of seven players in total.
Saturday’s game against the Bulls at Loftus, won 21-5 by the locals, was simply completed after SA Rugby rescheduled the game a day later.
With the Pumas’ actions largely recovered, the Lions are believed to have proposed a kickoff on Tuesday.
“We can’t keep the (Lions) game,” Stonehouse said after his dignified appearance in Pretoria.
“You can’t expect a team like us to play three games in eight days, it’s impossible. People should misunderstand me, we want to play and thank our fans and sponsors. But we have to be realistic.
“The Lions sent correspondence asking if we would be willing to play Tuesday. But you have to remember that they had a bye this week. Should we also wait a bye week and then ask for a postponed game to be played? So they feel like they have to play. three games essentially in a week?
“The answer will surely be ‘no’.”
Rudolf Straeuli, chief of the Lions, confirmed Sport24 that he had “met all formal requirements” to request a replay of his two games against the Cheetahs and Pumas, even though SA Rugby has already ruled that the Cheetahs game is a draw.
“I don’t think we should make a lot of fuss over this issue, but we are of the opinion that we can still find a way to play those games,” he said.
“These are extraordinary times and we can help each other. We have seen big events like The Masters postponed and then completed. What is stopping us, besides the well-being of the player? If there is a possibility of finding a balance in the respective records, especially when some teams have played more than others, can’t you at least try?
“Naturally, we cannot force any of our opponents to meet a postponed match.”
Stonehouse believes that SA Rugby may have made a mistake in declaring interrupted matches draws and favors the system adopted by other countries to award outright victories.
“If you asked me, the Lions should have gotten five record points and we got nothing. The Lions should have awarded the Cheetahs match points in that game,” he said.
“With our preparations interrupted because eight players were not available before the Bulls game, can we play three days later? No. I prefer to give the registration points. However, SA Rugby has set a precedent with the system of two points each. one. This is how it works will have to be applied in the future. “
