final reflections on the Lions
a very successful tour it will be.. the British fans were fantastic throughout the tour and with their hard-earned cash helped to boost New Zealand's economy and also inspire New Zealand's passionate rugby fans to a new concept of support.. certainly during the test series, the All Blacks have prob not seen better support than they did.. with all that amount of singing during the provincial games, the AB fans had to step up especially with that much sea of red in the stands..
will it boost New Zealand's chances of hosting the World Cup in 2011? u'd hope so, but with the amount of positive reviews about the country and the local rugby public, received from the hardy travelling folk, and of coz the Barmy Army, perhaps New Zealand's prospects have looked somewhat brighter.. and just think if New Zealand got both Cricket and Rugby World Cups.. at least they wouldn't have needed to pick a rock and a wall for the latter..
the rugby on the field from the Lions was very disappointing, as most ppl would have mentioned many times already.. certainly with two Grand Slam and World Cup winning teams and another that was p close to a Grand Slam, u'd certainly have expected far more than the "rabbit's food" that was on display for most of the tour.. there is no doubt the team that was on top deserved to win because they simply played the better rugby and to go straight to the point, far more interesting..
as u'd expect, there have been many excuses put up.. selection was wrong - definitely agree there, the selection was horribly wrong for that crucial first test - squad was too big - perhaps - overcoaching - this aint England and it aint 4 years to the World Cup final, these were decent skilled individuals who were prob told to play a particular game rather than their own game - Alistair Campbell - did i hear Iraq? - Clive - yeap - and the All Blacks were just too darn good - perhaps, let's see in the Tri-Nations esp when they're up in intimidating cauldrons like Newlands and Telstra Stadium..
but really only losers need excuses.. the fact is this Lions team was much too overrated, too underwhelming.. if Clive hadn't said all those things pre-tour and expectations were lower, perhaps they may have gotten off a bit.. but it's hard to expect that from the only coach from the North to have won the World Cup.. the Lions never really looked like ending that losing run to the All Blacks since 1971, and will prob be forgotten by Lions fans and if Lions tours had been more frequent..
to some positives though, and there were some despite the disappointments.. the tour may have revealed Ryan Jones as someone to watch from the Home Nations for years to come, having come from nowhere to be easily the best player on tour.. perhaps Stephen Jones could be right on the dot if this guy becomes the best flanker ever, if u extend only to the Northern Hemisphere, but he should become a key player for Wales and future Lions tours.. i thought Easterby played well and stepped up his reputation.. Gethin Jenkins looks world-class..
as New Zealand unwinds from the rugby fever that has gripped it for the last 6 weeks, the Tri-Nations squad has been announced.. looks like Nonu and Howlett are in the runt.. but John Afoa, a prop i think will be very good in the future and did v well against the Lions for Auckland - nearly scored a try which was eventually disallowed - has made it in a move for the future, one would think.. Rokocoko's back in after showing improved form in recent times but will have to work p hard to dislodge Gear or Sivivatu..
as for Umaga, well he could easily be the best captain in world rugby at the moment, and looks certain to play in the 2007 World Cup.. he's playing as good as ever and while there are plenty who can play in his position as well, one gets the feeling that the ABs are different without their leader, esp in the backlines.. i'm p confident of seeing those famous dreadlocks in two years time and perhaps even near that World Cup trophy..
will it boost New Zealand's chances of hosting the World Cup in 2011? u'd hope so, but with the amount of positive reviews about the country and the local rugby public, received from the hardy travelling folk, and of coz the Barmy Army, perhaps New Zealand's prospects have looked somewhat brighter.. and just think if New Zealand got both Cricket and Rugby World Cups.. at least they wouldn't have needed to pick a rock and a wall for the latter..
the rugby on the field from the Lions was very disappointing, as most ppl would have mentioned many times already.. certainly with two Grand Slam and World Cup winning teams and another that was p close to a Grand Slam, u'd certainly have expected far more than the "rabbit's food" that was on display for most of the tour.. there is no doubt the team that was on top deserved to win because they simply played the better rugby and to go straight to the point, far more interesting..
as u'd expect, there have been many excuses put up.. selection was wrong - definitely agree there, the selection was horribly wrong for that crucial first test - squad was too big - perhaps - overcoaching - this aint England and it aint 4 years to the World Cup final, these were decent skilled individuals who were prob told to play a particular game rather than their own game - Alistair Campbell - did i hear Iraq? - Clive - yeap - and the All Blacks were just too darn good - perhaps, let's see in the Tri-Nations esp when they're up in intimidating cauldrons like Newlands and Telstra Stadium..
but really only losers need excuses.. the fact is this Lions team was much too overrated, too underwhelming.. if Clive hadn't said all those things pre-tour and expectations were lower, perhaps they may have gotten off a bit.. but it's hard to expect that from the only coach from the North to have won the World Cup.. the Lions never really looked like ending that losing run to the All Blacks since 1971, and will prob be forgotten by Lions fans and if Lions tours had been more frequent..
to some positives though, and there were some despite the disappointments.. the tour may have revealed Ryan Jones as someone to watch from the Home Nations for years to come, having come from nowhere to be easily the best player on tour.. perhaps Stephen Jones could be right on the dot if this guy becomes the best flanker ever, if u extend only to the Northern Hemisphere, but he should become a key player for Wales and future Lions tours.. i thought Easterby played well and stepped up his reputation.. Gethin Jenkins looks world-class..
as New Zealand unwinds from the rugby fever that has gripped it for the last 6 weeks, the Tri-Nations squad has been announced.. looks like Nonu and Howlett are in the runt.. but John Afoa, a prop i think will be very good in the future and did v well against the Lions for Auckland - nearly scored a try which was eventually disallowed - has made it in a move for the future, one would think.. Rokocoko's back in after showing improved form in recent times but will have to work p hard to dislodge Gear or Sivivatu..
as for Umaga, well he could easily be the best captain in world rugby at the moment, and looks certain to play in the 2007 World Cup.. he's playing as good as ever and while there are plenty who can play in his position as well, one gets the feeling that the ABs are different without their leader, esp in the backlines.. i'm p confident of seeing those famous dreadlocks in two years time and perhaps even near that World Cup trophy..
posted by Unknown at 5:22 pm
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