Lions brand losing it

IT WILL no doubt seem cruel to serve up this statistic after what was an epic game of rugby on Saturday but the Lions have now lost seven Test matches on the trot.
Indisputably, the complexity of modern rugby works against the Lions’ concept.

Paul Ackford, London Telegraph

And given the Lions’ casualty rate, there is every prospect of that sequence stretching to eight after the final Test in Johannesburg.

Lions supporters, and there are many, who crow about the commercial viability of the brand and the fact it attracts fans in their tens of thousands to various host countries, ignore the essence of sporting reality.

The Lions must be competitive on the pitch to retain their allure and they are not. Gallant losers, no matter how brave or committed, are still losers.

Indisputably, the complexity of modern rugby works against the Lions’ concept. To merge four nations with four separate identities, cultures and playing styles is virtually impossible. National coaches are granted a season before judgment is passed on their methodology.

This squad effectively had four weeks’ grace before they were expected to emerge fully formed and ready for battle.

It was ludicrous to agree to two Tests at altitude. The Lions faded badly in the thin Pretoria air. And denying the Lions the chance to test themselves against South Africa’s best players in the warm-up games only created a false sense of optimism, an unrealistic assessment of the Lions’ skills.

If the Lions are just about fans having great holidays with rugby as a backdrop, then they are not worth taking seriously any longer.