Seven consecutive Test defeats in the southern hemisphere have not discouraged the British and Irish Lions and they remain optimistic about their future.
Stephen Nell, Sport24
Lions coach Ian McGeechan believes his team have achieved something important despite their two defeats against the Boks. “On this tour a lot of credibility has been won back for the Lions,” said McGeechan.
“It is incredible when you see the stadiums filled with as many Lions supporters as there are Springbok fans. As far as I’m concerned, the Lions gained stature in many people’s eyes.”
Although the Lions work on a commercial level, there is some merit to the concern that they are struggling to be competitive. They last won a Test on June 30, 2001 when they beat the Wallabies 29-13 in Brisbane.
Since then, with the exception of a draw of 25-25 against Argentina in the run-up to the series against New Zealand in 2005, they’ve lost every Test. The Lions are, however, refuse to believe that this means it’s all over for them.
“We had two incredible matches against South Africa. People ask if the Lions are still worthwhile. You don’t get that kind of Test anymore. Both teams went all-out to win the Test and we could easily have had two victories,” said McGeechan.
“I think South Africa took the series very seriously and that it was as big, if not bigger, than their World Cup final. There was more emotion in these Tests than there would ever be in a Tri-Nations.”
“I’m only disappointed it’s not 1-1 or even 2-0 for us, because I think the players deserve to be in a position where we could play for the series this weekend.”
McGeechan said he believed more time is needed to prepare the Lions for a Test series – and this involves more support in the northern hemisphere.
“I wish more people who don’t want to make time for the Lions could come on tour and experience it for themselves,” he said.
“This is what a professional player wants to experience. This is the jersey that he wants to wear and this is where he wants to be. We should make it easier. It will then also be easier to win a Test series and give the Lions a fair chance.”
“The structure of the northern hemisphere’s season should be taken into account and you sometimes need a more sympathetic approach from all the involved parties.”
“The Lions tour and the World Cup are the biggest events in international rugby. If we can respect this, it will help the next coach with his preparations.”
McGeechan said it would be nothing short of a tragedy should the Lions tours not continue. “I have never made a secret of the fact that to me the Lions have been very special over the years.”
The Lions team manager, Gerald Davies, said the future of the Lions was definitely not in doubt. “I don’t know of anyone who doubts the validity of the Lions.”
“There is worldwide interest. If there was something like a Lions era, then we discovered it again on this tour. The team spirit and camaraderie is incredible.”
June 30th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
So nice to see an educated,
balanced coach talk sense,
expressing himself in clearcut,
intelligent sentences.
He also does it live on camera.
June 30th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
but it is booooooring!
June 30th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Reply to JT – http://www.rugby-innsbruck.at @ 3:47 pm:
No JT
not at aLL….
““I think South Africa took the series very seriously and that it was as big, if not bigger, than their World Cup final. There was more emotion in these Tests than there would ever be in a Tri-Nations.â€?
do not agrEE with the as big as RWC win
but certainly biGGer than the aNNual tri Nations
But then a 2009 Trinations CleanswEEp wont be
either!
June 30th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
On brandBuilding & aLL
World Cup – RWC backing for England and Japan
Eurosport – Tue, 30 Jun 16:03:00 2009
England and Japan look likely to host the next two rugby World Cups after organisers recommended the two countries to the International Rugby Board Council on Tuesday.
Rugby World Cup Ltd recommended England, who held the 1991 tournament, to host the 2015 event and Japan, who have never previously hosted it, for 2019 “achieving a balance between funding the global game and developing new rugby markets”.
They also said they did not want matches to be shared with neighbouring countries as has been common in several previous tournaments.
“All the tenders were of a very high standard and each Union demonstrated that they could host an excellent rugby World Cup. It is a tribute to the health of the game and the enormous prestige of RWC that the field was so strong,” RWCL chairman Bernard Lapasset said in a statement.
“Both Italy and South Africa submitted comprehensive tenders with very strong government support and would be capable of hosting outstanding rugby World Cup tournaments now or in the future.
“I would like to thank and congratulate them both for the quality of their tenders. However, there could only be two recommended Unions and after detailed review, the RWCL Board decided that England and Japan would provide the best balanced combination of hosts for the continued worldwide development of the game.
“The RWCL board believes that a rugby World Cup in Japan would provide a gateway to the further development and expansion of the game in Asia, reaching out to new young fans and providing a superb spectacle for the sport.”
The Dublin-based IRB Council will announce the final decision on the hosts for both tournaments after a meeting on July 28.
The next World Cup, in 2011, will be held in New Zealand.
June 30th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
i cant understand one word of what this coach is saying, he must be scottish or something.
where is the character? ffs, that man can occupy a stage like no other.
June 30th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
south AB’s
north oZZies
south BoKKe
north oZZies
south poMMies
north BoKKe
dEEp South ?
north ?
Far East ?
June 30th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
So SA to get it in 2023 & the Senhori in 2027?
June 30th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Why take the game to Asia?
Japan will NEVER be a force
in union, neither will China,
Korea whatever.
Maybe they should let Japan’s
senior side play in the u.21.
June 30th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Waar is Dawie Kadawer vanaand?