Lions down, but not out of playoff hunt

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The Lions will be frustrated by back-to-back narrow defeats in the Vodacom URC but shouldn't be disheartened, given the competition's unpredictability, writes MARK KEOHANE. 

Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane argues that the Johannesburg outfit's losses to the Sharks and Cardiff, both by three points, could have easily been wins.

With five rounds of the league phase of the competition remaining, all but the Dragons remain in playoff contention, making every match crucial. Keohane emphasisies that the Lions and Stormers will benefit from finishing their campaigns at home, where URC history favours hosts.

However, he highlights that while the Lions are one of South Africa's most beloved teams due to their style and squad, they haven't yet turned that admiration into consistent success.

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Keohane believes that a dominant victory over the Sharks a month ago hinted at a breakthrough, but inconsistency has kept Ivan van Rooyen's charges battling for a top-eight finish.

He also notes that Super Rugby Pacific has been just as unpredictable, with no unbeaten teams after six rounds.

"When they thumped the Sharks a month ago, having led 38-0 after 77 minutes, the belief was the Lions had finally crushed the bridesmaid tag, especially after their home win against the Stormers in the buildup to the Sharks match," Keohane writes.

"It proved a false dawn, and the inconsistency is proving demanding for their prospects of a first URC top-eight playoff finish.

"The Lions will be down at two losing matches that could easily have been wins, but they won't be despondent and devastated. They have been too close to feel they are playing for a lost cause. There is hope and four South African teams in the top eight when the final whistle blows are still a possibility."

Photo: Kian Abdullah/Gallo Images

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