Chaos Rules At Lions

 Aug 02,2012

Written by: Robert Lemmer

The Lions' coaching concerns were compounded on Thursday after the franchise announced that assistants Carlos Spencer and Wayne Taylor had been sacked.

"The Golden Lions Rugby Union announced this morning that MTN Lions coaches Carlos Spencer (backline coach) and Wayne Taylor (conditioning coach) had their contracts terminated," the union said in a statement.

The Lions said Spencer and Taylor had been given notice of dismissal on Monday.

Head coach John Mitchell was suspended in June, following allegations of a player revolt, and was replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach Johan Ackermann.

Last season, Mitchell guided the Lions to their first Currie Cup title since 1999, but they ended the recently concluded Super Rugby campaign at the bottom of the log, having won only three of their 16 fixtures.

The Lions have also lost promising lock Paul Willemse, who have put pen to paper in a deal that will see him run out for the Bulls next year.

The news follows Josh Strauss’ decision to stand down as captain of the struggling franchise. Strauss is not happy with his own form and wants to focus solely on improving his game. He also feels a shift to blindside flank will rejuvenate his career.

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