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Oh boy, the cream of the six nations against the World Cup holders. Now you’re talking! And a proper tour…with dirty midweek games, big scalps to be hung and reputations to be won and lost. I played against British Lions coach Ian McGeechan 40 years ago. I was a rookie first five for the Vale of Lune; he was a rookie first five for Headingley. Even then his rugby brain was amazing; he bossed the pack of hairy neanderthal farmers around to the manor born. My lot studiously ignored my 17-year-old squealed instructions. Our careers headed in different directions!!! He’s a canny inspirational leader, The Alex Ferguson of British rugby – he’s media smart too. He has also assembled the smartest coaching team in the UK. Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and Robert Howley have got the lot. They work together at international and club level, they are experts, they’ve all played at top level, they know all the players intimately and they know how to win. This is the Lion’s competitive advantage. The Springbok coaching team is unproven, uncritical, unpredictable and vulnerable under pressure. And the pressure will be intense. The South African nation expects a 3-0 victory…nay demands it. The next edge the Lions have is the itinerary. Gerald Davies, the Lions manager, is a legend in the Republic, and he’s been meticulous in his planning and preparation. He’s tried hard to tilt the playing field in the Lion’s favour for once. They have six games to bond together and to believe. They’ll catch the Springboks relatively cold on June 20 in Durban and if they start well, you’ll feel that pressure build in the Boks, believe me. And finally McGeechan’s picked the right leader and the right team. For the past seven years I’ve been involved with Munster Rugby via their president Roger Downer who was also the top man at Limerick University; where the Irish team and Munster train. I lectured at the University a few times (Paul O’Connell is a student there… still!!!!) and worked with Munster on a peak performance/purposing project. These guys are the real deal. Rugby men through and through. Winners. The Stand Up and Fight Brigade. Perfect for what is the second toughest place in the world to tour. McGeechan’s picked on form and fitness. No room for media darlings, unproven show ponies, wounded ex-heroes or road-weary champions. He’s gone for hunger, drive, passion, will and huge beasts of burden! He’s picked 27 players from Ireland and Wales, the two form teams in the Six Nations over the past two years, eight Englishmen and two Scots. He’s picked 13 players who’ve toured with the Lions before, of which four will be making their third tour (Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, Simon Shaw and Martyn Williams). He’s picked combative, physical scrappers at halfback. He’s picked two goal-kicking, game directors at first five – O’Gara and Stephen Jones. He’s got pace in the backs – and flair – with our own Riki Flutey (the first ever player to play for – and against – the Lions), O’Driscoll, Lee Byrne, and Shane Williams. He’s got guts, belief and strength in the tight five. They will stand up and fight. But are they good enough to win? The last two winning Lions skippers
have been mighty locks and big stand-up men – Willie John McBride in
1974 and Martin Johnson in 1997. O’Connell is of their tribe. A
competitive swimmer, a four handicap golfer, Paul only started playing
rugby when he was 15. Much will depend on his leadership – on and off
the field, his maturity, his relationship with Gatland, his relationship
with O’Driscoll – which I believe is strong, and his personal battle
with probably the best two locks in the world – Victor Matfield and
Bakkies Botha.
I’m fed up with Super 14. I’m aligned with Fitzy. The Heineken Cup’s been the one to watch this year. But this Lions tour has really got the juices flowing again. Go to it boys! |
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