LIONS COACH Ian McGeechan refused to deal in specifics but it didn’t camouflage his thoughts with regards to the unseemly incidents that pockmarked the 20-8 victory over the Southern Kings at the Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

It was a fractious affair with a number of unsavoury moments that lingered beyond the final whistle with a number of players refusing to shake hands initially. Ireland’s Gordon D’Arcy appeared to adopt that attitude towards opposite number De Wet Barry but said afterwards: “There were some questionable tackles, but that’s the way it is.

“De Wet Barry is a good, physical, strong player. He’s one of those guys who likes to get in amongst it. I shook his hand, but I didn’t want to have a chat with him.”

The match also cost the Lions a couple of players as Euan Murray (sprained ankle) and James Hook (head) had to be replaced within the first 12 minutes. Murray was sent for an x-ray, which revealed that there was no fracture while Hook will be dispatched for a scan this morning in Durban.

McGeechan’s diplomacy defused repeated entreaties to offer a definitive view on the Southern Kings’ philosophy during the match.

McGeechan admitted: “I thought we were very professional and disciplined. You can’t underestimate what comes out of that. They wanted to produce a tough game for us and they did that. I am really proud of the discipline. The team got their just rewards on the scoreboard in the second half.

“It was pretty full-on. We kept our heads and kept doing damage where it hurt the most. We have come out with enough composure in that second half.”

Lions captain on the day Donncha O’Callaghan also demonstrated his verbal dexterity, neatly side-stepping any condemnation of their opponents. “There’s no ill feeling; fellas are inside the dressing room swapping jerseys. Fellas were a bit disappointed in the aftermath of a hugely physical contest.”

He did go on though to praise his team saying, “guys stayed very composed through an awful lot of stuff off the ball,” adding at one point that “we’re at the level where we can’t stoop to that.”

Southern Kings coach Alan Solomons acknowledged that there were one or two late hits but added: “I don’t think there was anything untoward today.”