Bryan Habana has singled out a particular play during the 2009 Test series between the Springboks and British & Irish Lions as one of the best moments in his career. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 ticketson our website at exclusively discounted prices.
South Africa won the first two Tests and the Lions clinched
the third match for a 2-1 series scoreline in favour of the hosts.
The Boks dominated the first game but had to rally late in
the second match to mount a comeback having trailed by 11 points with 20
minutes left.
British Irish lions tour: Habana reflects on 2009 Lions series
Habana and centre Jaque Fourie scored late tries, while Morne
Steyn stepped up to slot the conversions and two penalties to clinch the win
and with that the series.
Reflecting on that riveting Test at Loftus 12 years ago, the
legendary Bok pinpoints Fourie’s stunning try as one of the best he has ever seen.
“What that game did give us was one of the best tries I’ve
ever seen on a rugby field from Jaque Fourie,” Habana told former teammate Jean
de Villiers during a Laureus Sport for Good Foundation webinar.
“Mine his try was a set move that we practised on the
training park for two or three years before that, but that finish from Jaque
Fourie and the way it happened, to give Morne that final opportunity to make
that kick to win it was incredible.”
“As a rugby player, you always want to contribute. It was a great
memory and a pretty spectacular moment for all of us involved. The party in the
Monte Casino the following weekend summed up what a great moment it was.
“It’s crazy to think that it’s been 12 years already. The
uniqueness of a Lions series as a South African, Australian or New Zealander,
that only happens once every 12 years.
“There are some Test centurions that never get an opportunity
to play against the Lions. The passion, pride, camaraderie and uniqueness of it
is something that many players would give any waking moment to be a part of.
British Irish lions tour: Habana reflects on 2009 Lions series
“We were fortunate that we had that success in 2007 and saw
it as the majority of us staying together with the hope of doing something
special in 2009, given that we had lost the series in 1997.”
‘It was a really important goal, short term, that I had
written down. 2009 was special and it played a crucial part in my planning and
I’m grateful to be part of an occasion that went down in history.’
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The British and Irish Lions touring rugby union side have announced a partnership with Fanatics, giving fans access to an expanded range of merchandise produced for the team’s 2021 tour of South Africa. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 ticketson our website at exclusively discounted prices.
The exclusive global ecommerce agreement will provide
supporters with the widest array of products ever created for a Lions tour,
while also expanding Fanatics’ rugby portfolio. The sports apparel giant
already oversees England Rugby’s retail and online stores.
British Irish Lions Tour: Lions sew up Fanatics retail partnership for South Africa tour
The Lions merchandise will be available at the team’s new
online store from 15th October.
“We are excited to be able to offer Lions supporters an
extensive range of new products that they can wear with pride when supporting
the team,” said Ben Calveley, the British and Irish Lions’ managing director.
“The new store will become the online destination to purchase
Lions merchandise including the new replica shirt, as well as other Canterbury
apparel and Hackett products when they come on the market later this year.”
2021 Lions tour ‘not viable’ if fans unable to travel, warns
SA Rugby CEO
Zohar Ravid, Fanatics’ international general manager, added:
“The Lions are one of the most iconic teams in global sport and it is an honor
to be partnering with them for the 2021 tour to South Africa.
“In partnering with Fanatics, the Lions will gain access to
cutting edge e-commerce systems and industry-leading technology. This will
provide rapid navigation for fans across online and mobile sites meaning
larger, hi-resolution product displays, frictionless checkout, faster website
performance, and the quickest access to new product offerings.”
Fanatics reportedly raised a further US$350 million in August as
part of a Series E funding round that saw the company’s valuation soar from
US$4.5 billion to US$6.2 billion.
British Irish Lions Tour: Lions sew up Fanatics retail partnership for South Africa tour
The Lions, meanwhile, will be hoping that Fanatics’ global
reach can help boost their commercial income. In July, the touring side
struck a deal with Vodafone that made the telecommunications giant their
lead partner for next summer’s tour.
That tie-up came shortly after the Lions teamed up with South
Africa Rugby (SAR) to combine their commercial offering, enabling
broadcasters, partners, and licensees the chance to fully leverage and activate
around a new centralized program.
Despite the commercial drive, there are still concerns over
whether the 2021 series will go ahead amid Covid-19 restrictions. In August,
SAR chief executive Jurie Roux warned that the absence of supporters would make
the tour, which is due to start on 3rd July, commercially unviable.
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All eyes will be on the battle for European supremacy on Saturday afternoon when Exeter Chiefs and Racing 92 meet in the final of the Heineken Champions Cup at Ashton Gate. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 ticketson our website at exclusively discounted prices.
The silverware showpiece will be the second of two finals
taking place this weekend, with Bristol Bears travelling to France to take on
Toulon in the European Challenge Cup on Friday night.
British Irish Lions Tour: Hogg and Russell go head-to-head for European glory
But it is the meeting of Chiefs and Racing that has been
given headline billing as two of Scotland’s best players – both British &
Irish Lions – come face-to-face on club rugby’s biggest stage.
Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell have been integral to their
team’s hopes this season, with both men recognized with a place on the five-man
shortlist for European Player of the Year.
And they will now look to put their relationship as
international teammates to one side as they attempt to outfox each other and
guide their respective teams to a famous victory in Bristol.
The European final also presents a prime opportunity to show
Warren Gatland why they deserve a place on the plane to South Africa for next
year’s highly-anticipated Lions Tour.
REVISITING AGE-GROUP RIVALRY
Hogg and Russell have been international colleagues for the
best part of a decade and have 125 caps between them – but Saturday will not be
the first time they’ve come head-to-head.
The encounter at Ashton Gate will see the duo take to the
pitch on opposing teams for the first time since they were teenagers playing
age-group rugby in Scotland.
“We must have been 12 or 13 years old,” said 2017 Lions
tourist and Racing 92 fly-half Russell. “The time I remember is playing against
each other in the Gala sevens.
“Hoggy and Rory Sutherland were playing for Hawick and I was
playing for Stirling County. That’s the last time I remember playing Hoggy.”
Since then Hogg and Russell have played together for Glasgow
Warriors and Scotland, becoming well-accustomed to each other’s game –
something both will attempt to use to their benefit.
British Irish Lions Tour: Hogg and Russell go head-to-head for European glory
“When I played against Stuart – I was chatting to him the
other day – I was saying it was probably me doing a lot of the kicking down
towards him,” said Russell.
“I know what attacking threats he has got and maybe we can
target him in defence or in the air. It’s good knowing him but at the same time
it’s also the other way round.
“He knows how I like to play and he knows what I might look
for and he might be able to counter that. Maybe I’ll play with my left foot
this weekend!”
PRODUCING THE UNEXPECTED
One of the main reasons the duel between Hogg and Russell is
being hyped so much is because both players are mavericks capable of pulling a
rabbit out of a hat for their teams.
You only have to look at their European semi-finals to see
their ability to change the game.
Russell’s vision against defending champions Saracens proved
decisive for Racing 92 in the last four, linking up with Virimi Vakatawa to
create the match-winning try for Juan Imhoff.
Meanwhile, Hogg’s kicking from deep pinned Toulouse back in
Exeter’s semi-final while he was also as slippery as a bag of eels, slaloming
through broken field on multiple occasions.
British Irish Lions Tour: Hogg and Russell go head-to-head for European glory
While the Scotland skipper’s running ability often gets
overlooked due to Chiefs’ relentless forward press, Hogg’s quick feet often
provide the platform – and territory – for Exeter’s success.
But the two-time Lions tourist knows his side faces their
toughest challenge yet against Racing 92 – beaten finalists in 2016 and 2018 –
and, in particular, his international teammate Russell.
“Finn is an absolutely unbelievable talent and I think at
this minute he is one of the best 10s in the world,” Hogg said. “I know how
Finn plays; I know that he’s a world-class talent.
“I think he has got the ability to change the game in a
heartbeat. For me, he is one of the most naturally-gifted rugby players
I’ve ever come across in my career.”
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A huge weekend of domestic rugby was dominated by the Premiership semi-finals as four teams were whittled down to two ahead of the showpiece final at Twickenham. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 ticketson our website at exclusively discounted prices.
A huge weekend of domestic rugby
was dominated by the Premiership semi-finals as four teams were whittled down
to two ahead of the showpiece final at Twickenham.
Exeter Chiefs and Wasps will
contest for the grand prize on October 24 after overcoming Bath Rugby and
Bristol Bears, respectively, to secure a visit to England Rugby HQ.
British Irish Lions Tour: Hogg stars for chiefs as Roberts rolls back the years
Unsurprisingly, all four teams
were packed with international quality, as well as several British & Irish
Lions, including those with ambitions of making the 2021 Tour to South Africa.
Meanwhile, the second round of
Guinness PRO14 action also saw one two-time Lions tourist produce a
match-winning display to get his team off the mark in the competition.
And for those who missed any of
the weekend’s action-packed drama, here’s the lowdown on the players who may
have caught Warren Gotland’s eye with their performance.
HOGG SCORES FOR CLINICAL CHIEFS
Exeter Chiefs remain on course
for a domestic and European double after defeating West Country rivals Bath
Rugby in their bruising Premiership Rugby semi-final at Sandy Park.
The visitors included three Lions
in their starting line-up as Anthony Watson, Jonathan Jospeh and Taulupe
Faletau looked to guide Bath to a first Premiership final since 2014/15.
But tries from Jonny Hill and
Luke Cowan-Dickie put the Devonians 14-6 ahead at the break, with Wales
fly-half Rhys Priest land keeping Bath in touch with a couple of penalties.
And two-time tourist Stuart Hogg,
who had already played a key role in Cowan-Dickie’s try with a break deep into
Bath territory, then provided the decisive moment after the interval.
The Scotland captain’s tactical
kicking kept Bath pinned back and gave him the platform to score Chiefs’ third
try – and his sixth for the club – after fine support play by Joe Simmonds.
Further tries from Hill and Ollie
Devoto ensured the result was no longer in doubt as Exeter booked their place
in the Premiership Rugby showpiece for a fifth consecutive year.
British Irish Lions Tour: Hogg stars for chiefs as Roberts rolls back the years
WILLIS SHINES AGAIN FOR WASPS
Eddie Jones can expect more calls
for Jack Willis to start for England this autumn after the Wasps back-rower
excelled again to guide his side to victory over Bristol Bears in Coventry.
Willis was awarded man of the
match for his outstanding display at the Ricoh Arena, where the hosts ran in
five tries to win 47-24 and reach their first Premiership final since 2017.
Tries from Malakai Fekitoa and
Willis, plus three penalties from Jimmy Gopperth, gave the hosts a 23-5
advantage at the half-time break with Luke Morahan responding for Bristol.
Bristol closed the gap with a
Harry Thacker try after the restart but Wasps took the game by the scruff of
the neck with three more tries from Dan Robson, Zach Kibirige, and Matteo
Minozzi.
And while Harry Randall and Max
Malins crossed to make the scoreboard look better for the visitors, there were
no stopping Wasps from storming into the Twickenham showpiece.
Willis’ work at the breakdown was
integral to the hosts’ success, while he also held up Callum Sheedy when he
crossed the try line, ensuring the 23-year-old stole all the headlines once
again.
ROBERTS ROLLS BACK THE YEARS
Two-time Lions tourist Jamie
Roberts rose to the occasion on his home debut for Dragons as the center’s
man-of-the-match display carried the Welsh region to a 26-18 win against Zebre.
British Irish Lions Tour: Hogg stars for chiefs as Roberts rolls back the years
Roberts, who was Lions Player of
the Series on the 2009 Tour, was at his rampaging best against the Italian
outfit, playing a key role in two tries and scoring one himself in Newport.
Elsewhere, Warren Gatland was
watching on as Ulster secured their second Guinness PRO14 win of the season despite
captain Iain Henderson being shown a late red card against Ospreys.
Tries from Jacob Stockdale,
Marcell Coetzee, and John Cooney, who contributed 14 points in total, helped
the Irish province to a 24-12 success against the Welsh side at the Liberty Stadium.
Lion’s tourists Alun Wyn Jones,
Justin Tipuric, and Rhys Webb were all in action for the hosts under Gatland’s
gaze but they were unable to prevent Ospreys from slipping to defeat.
Meanwhile, James Lowe scored a
try as Leinster beat Benetton 37-25 while CJ Stander crossed as Munster
edged out Edinburgh and Cardiff Blues made it two wins from two as they
defeated Connacht 29-7 at Rodney Parade.
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Having been the youngest player in the Lions squad in Australia four years previously, in which Hogg made five appearances across the warm-up matches, injury, unfortunately, cut short the Scotland star’s Tour before the Tests in 2017. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 ticketson our website at exclusively discounted prices.
Hogg has recovered from the setback to once again establish
himself as one of the leading full-backs in world rugby and now has the added
honor of being Scotland’s captain.
The 28-year-old also forms a key part of one of Europe’s
leading club sides and he will hope to become a Lions tourist for the third
time in South Africa next year – where a first Lions Test cap could be in the
offing.
British Irish Lions Tour: Since the tour Stuart Hogg
In the latest of our series looking at what the 2017 tourists
have been up to since we cast an eye over how Hogg has continued to set the
standard in the No.15 shirt for club and country.
POST-TOUR REFLECTIONS
The 2017 Tour turned into a case of ‘what might have been’
for Hogg, who was in sensational form going into the series.
His talismanic displays for Scotland saw the full-back named
Six Nations Player of the Championship in both 2016 and 2017, becoming just the
second player to have won the award twice – following in the footsteps of Brian
O’Driscoll.
Hogg was handed the No.15 jersey for the Lions’ first game of
the Tour and played the full 80 minutes in a 13-7 victory over New Zealand
Provincial Barbarians.
The Scot then started against Crusaders but the game was just
19 minutes old when Hogg suffered a facial injury in an accidental collision
with teammate Conor Murray.
The bone fracture ended Hogg’s Tour and denied him the
opportunity to make his mark against the All Blacks – leaving the full-back
understandably disappointed.
“I’m gutted to be leaving the Tour at this stage,” Hogg said.
“It is an honor to have been involved in a second British
& Irish Lions Tour. I have hugely enjoyed my time with the squad and I’m
very excited about the potential of this group.
“I’m disappointed to be leaving in this way but wish all the
squad the best in the coming weeks and will be cheering them on from home.”
He joined the thousands of Lions supporters doing just that
as the tourists claimed a memorable draw in the three-match Test series.
British Irish Lions Tour: Since the tour Stuart Hogg
BACK IN ACTION
Hogg had surgery on an underlying shoulder injury upon his
return from the Tour and made his return to action in October 2017 for Glasgow
Warriors against Leinster in the European Challenge Cup.
Typically, it was a try-scoring comeback for Hogg, and, with his
fitness proved, he was part of Scotland’s squad for the Autumn Internationals.
This gave him a chance to have a crack at New Zealand, having
missed out on the chance to do so in a Lions shirt, and Hogg gave a reminder of
his supreme talent with a man of the match display.
The full-back came agonizingly close to helping Scotland earn
a first-ever win against the All Blacks, racing towards the corner in the dying
minutes only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle by Beauden Barrett as the
visitors held on for a 22-17 victory at BT Murrayfield.
Hogg played every minute of the 2018 Guinness Six Nations
campaign, helping Scotland to three wins and a third-place finish, and scored
against Italy in one of his appearances in an injury-hit 2019 Championship.
British Irish Lions Tour: Since the tour Stuart Hogg
WORLD CUP
Scotland went into the 2019 Rugby World Cup confident of
making an impression, with Hogg central to their hopes of doing so.
An under-par display saw them comfortably beaten by Ireland
in their Pool A opener but a comfortable 34-0 victory over Samoa got them back
on track, Hogg slotting a drop goal to open his account for the tournament.
The full-back was rested for the thumping win over Russia
which set up a winner takes all contest against hosts Japan for the right to
qualify for the knockout stages.
Hogg played the full 80 minutes of a rollercoaster encounter
in front of more than 67,000 passionate fans, the majority of who were
delighted by the result as Japan won 28-21 to consign Scotland to an early
exit.
Hogg offered no excuses and the disappointment was raw after
the match.
“We can’t keep saying we’ll be better for this experience
because we’ve said that before,” he said.
“The hard truth is, if we don’t get better, it’s going to be
the same situation.
“I don’t think it’s kicked in what’s happened. When it does,
it will eat away at me for a long, long time. It’s going to hurt. But this is
the place we’ve put ourselves in.”
British Irish Lions Tour: Since the tour Stuart Hogg
CHANGE OF SCENE
Hogg had announced in November 2018 that he would be leaving
Glasgow Warriors for Exeter Chiefs following the World Cup, citing a desire to
“gain new rugby experiences and push me in different situations where I will be
challenged and hopefully improve further.”
He has done just that in his first season in Devon – one
interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic – and has played a key role in the Chiefs’
quest for a domestic and European double.
Hogg has scored five tries in 12 Premiership appearances to
help his new side to their fifth straight Premiership final – having lost the
previous two, Exeter will be hoping to go one better when they take on Wasps at
Twickenham on October 24.
Before that, Chiefs take on Racing 92 in the European
Challenge Cup final at Bristol’s Ashton Gate on October 17. The Devonians are
continuing to break new ground and Hogg’s big-game experience will be crucial
as they look to crown their incredible rise with silverware.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
In January 2020, it was announced that Hogg would captain
Scotland in their Six Nations campaign.
He had done the job once before, against the USA in June
2018, and Gregor Townsend put his faith in the full-back to lead an exciting
young squad.
Following consecutive defeats against Ireland and England,
Hogg scored his first try as skipper with a fantastic solo effort against Italy
as Scotland got up and running with a 17-0 win.
British Irish Lions Tour: Since the tour Stuart Hogg
Hogg was again influential in a 28-17 win over France and
will hope to help his side end on a high against Wales when the rescheduled
final round fixtures take place on October 31.
With the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup to come along with next
year’s Six Nations, Hogg will relish the opportunity to lead his side out on
the international stage while also looking to keep his name in the Lions frame.
Should he make the squad next summer, Hogg will have
completed the set as a Lions tourist. But with a Test cap yet to grace his mantelpiece,
he will be eager to ensure he shows exactly what he can do should he be offered
an opportunity in South Africa.
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Kolisi scored one of three tries for the Green team, alongside a penalty try and a Juarno Augustus effort, in a second0half blitz. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 ticketson our website on exclusively discounted prices.
There were lots of impressive performances on show from South
African stars old and new trying to catch the eye of head coach Jacques
Nienaber ahead of next summer’s British & Irish Lions Tour and with the
domestic Currie Cup due to begin next weekend.
British Irish Lions Tour: Kolisi Shines as young and old battle in green and gold match
In a ‘schoolyard pick’ style draft from all eligible South
Africa-based players, Nienaber selected the Gold side’s 25-man squad while
national director of rugby Rassie Erasmus served as the Green side’s team
commissioner and drafted their 25 players.
Meanwhile, Springbok attack coach Mzwandile Stick coached the
Green team, while former Southern Kings coach Deon Davids took charge of the
Gold team in an all-star South African affair.
It was a feisty contest full of intensity, with bulldozing
No.8 Duane Vermeulen introducing himself almost immediately with a number of
powerful carries.
And as the first 40 minutes went on it was international
fly-half Elton Jantjies who showed his quality from the tee with two perfect
penalty kicks for Team Green.
His opposite number Damian Willemse is much younger and less
experienced but showed that he has his eye on Lions recognition with a riposte
and three points of his own.
British Irish Lions Tour: Kolisi Shines as young and old battle in green and gold match
Into the second half and the attacking intent increased from
both sides but it was the Green outfit who continued in the ascendency and
earned the game’s first try
Sanele Nohamba’s kick looked to have set Yaw Penxe free only
for Willemse to pull him back, an action which saw a penalty try and yellow
card awarded.
Curwin Bosch had started the game at full-back but took over
at fly-half in Willemse’s absence and, while on kicking duties, he
registered six points from two penalties for the Gold team.
But the Greens were not to be stopped and Kolisi showed just
how important his power and intelligence will be for South Africa against the
Lions next summer as he displayed real composure to finish off a dominant
rolling maul and score.
British Irish Lions Tour: Kolisi Shines as young and old battle in green and gold match
Uncapped Augustus then used all his strength to pick up the
scraps from an up-and-under and score the game’s final try – giving the bosses
something to think about as valuable minutes were earned for South Africa’s
stars in a lively encounter.
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Former Springbok captain Wynand Claassen believes South
Africa should skip this year’s Rugby Championship and focus on the 2021 British
& Irish Lions tour.
While the announcement that the 2020 Rugby Championship would be held in Australia from 7 November to 12 December was made by Sanzaar on Friday morning, it was also confirmed that the Springboks’ participation in the tournament was still to be confirmed, dependent on several factors. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 ticketson our website on exclusively discounted prices.
British Irish Lions Tour – Madness if Boks play in Rugby Champs
Claassen says travelling to Australia to compete in the Rugby
Championship will not be in the best interest of the Springboks and that SA
Rugby should take a stand and withdraw from the competition at least for this
year.
‘I honestly believe they should not play in the Championship;
it simply doesn’t make any sense to me,’ Claassen told The Citizen.
‘If one thinks that New Zealand and Australia have been
playing their domestic rugby for the last two months and our rugby hasn’t even
restarted yet, we would definitely be underprepared.
‘What will happen if we again give 50 points away to New
Zealand, like what happened in 2016 and 2017 – who will be blamed?
British Irish Lions Tour – Madness if Boks play in Rugby Champs
‘We’ve got more to lose by playing in the Championship. We
must remember that we are the World Cup champs, the No 1 ranked team in the
world and the Rugby Championship holders,’ he said.
‘One has to understand that because of Covid-19 we haven’t
been able to restart our local game, but it is what it is and we just have to
move on and forget about the Rugby Championship for this year.
‘SA Rugby must just take a stand and decide what is in the
best interests of the Boks and their legacy. Yes, money talks, but it’s not all
about money; there are many more factors at play.’
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Legendary British and Irish Lions captain Willie John McBride has savagely attacked modern rugby, claiming that it has become an unedifying mix of union, league and American football that is being ruined by an injury crisis and the dominance of money. Rugby enthusiasts can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website on exclusively discounted prices.
Captain of the famous 1974 Lions that conquered South
Africa, McBride went international 17 times for tourists on five separate
tours, while also winning 63 matches for Ireland before retiring in 1975.
Now in his 80s, he has not struck out in the foreword to
Saving Rugby Union, the newly published book written by Ross Reyburn and
published by Y Lolfa that tackles the myriad of issues that affect the best
development of professional rugby.
‘England was stupid… that’s killed the Lions tour’: Willie John McBride’s lament for modern rugby
In addition to facing the lack of space and high injury rate
in rugby today, Lions King McBride also lamented the collapse mechanics,
crooked feeding at scrum time, the excessive prevalence of replacements and the
ease with which players can change nationality.
Willie John McBride
McBride wrote: Rugby today is nothing like the game I
played. It is a mix of rugby union and rugby league, which is heavily
influenced by rugby union, with players lined up on the field against each
other, and American football, with obstruction and blocking.
In the modern game, you can theoretically hold the ball for
40 minutes with endless phases. In the amateur era, once you got down on the
ground, you had to drop the ball and escape. The players could then roll over
the ball.
Today when the guys go to the ground, they are still holding
on to the ball and putting it back with their hands. It allows the sides to
hold the ball during phase after phase, as it is very difficult for defenders
to catch the ball at half-time. It is absolutely ridiculous.
‘England was stupid… that’s killed the Lions tour’: Willie John McBride’s lament for modern rugby
There were never any serious injuries in the rucks because
you really had to drop the ball and get away to avoid getting the rake back. If
he clings to the ball, he will be penalized.
Today there are more and more pile-ups with knees and elbows
hitting other players, causing injuries. Referees explode for a scrum when the
ball is buried in a pile of bodies. This just wouldn’t happen in a ruck
situation when playing.
On the breakdown, I just don’t understand why people are
tackling players who don’t have the ball. It is not a sport, they are just
attacking people to get them out. Surely the law says that you cannot tackle a
player who does not have the ball.
“Any game has to do with space. The modern game is about closing the gap with players lined up on the field due to the rugby phase. The only thing that surprises me is why they changed our game.”
‘England was stupid… that’s killed the Lions tour’: Willie John McBride’s lament for modern rugby
British and Irish Lions legend McBride
Addressing the rising injury rate, Lions legend McBride added: “There is an injury crisis in rugby. You watch all the international matches that are played. How many do you see that are injury-free? I think every player should be playing 80 minutes unless he has to leave the field injured. I played for 14 years and never left the field in my life.”
I’ve seen young boys from academies who have been told,
‘You’re too light. You have to put two stones to be successful. The children
are growing up. They eat all these food supplements that I call drugs and doing
all these weights. Your bones cannot support what your muscles demand. This is
bad. The only thing they taught me when I was little was to be flexible. They
are tied to the muscles and are more prone to injury.
It is terrible to see all these people running and on the
field in an international match. Recently, a player was signed with one minute
to go, there could be no difference in the result. I once asked my old
adversary Colin Meads how you would feel if they took you with 20 minutes to
go. I can’t repeat what he said, but it was pretty much “you can fill the
game”.
‘England was stupid… that’s killed the Lions tour’: Willie John McBride’s lament for modern rugby
I also find it unsettling how easily players can change
their national allegiance. It devalues international rugby. When Wales defeated
Ireland 25-7 in the 2019 Six Nations, all Welsh points were scored by two New
Zealanders, Gareth Anscombe and Hadleigh Parkes. That cannot be correct.
If you play for Ireland, you should have Irish blood running
through your veins. The residential rating should be ten years and that would
leave players playing for a country when they don’t have an immediate family
connection. The only thing the Irish Rugby Union got right is that they own the
players. England was stupid, as the RFU allowed the Premiership clubs to take
control of the players. That is over.
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Chief among them is ‘that’ magic step by Liam Williams, whose magnificent run in the first Test at Eden Park laid the platform for one of the best Lions tries of all time, finished off by Sean O’Brien. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 ticketson our website on exclusively discounted prices.
It announced Williams’ arrival on the biggest stage and his
performances showed no let-up in the two Tests that followed as the versatile
Welshman played a key role in helping the tourists earn a drawn series.
Since the British Irish Lions tour: Liam Williams
Williams has continued to excel for club and country since
and will hope to become a Lions tourist for the second time in South Africa
next summer.
And in the latest part of our new series looking at what the
2017 tourists have been up to since, we examine how Williams has added to his
trophy cabinet on the domestic, continental and international stage.
TOUR REFLECTIONS
Williams’ ability to operate just as effectively at both wing
and full-back – his first 50 caps for Wales were split equally between the two
positions – made him an invaluable member of the 2017 Lions squad.
Since the British Irish Lions tour: Liam Williams
His first appearance on Tour came on the left-wing in the
12-3 win at Crusaders but it was a sterling display wearing No.15 against
Chiefs that saw Williams put his name in the frame for Test selection.
A fantastic break set up Jared Payne’s try and the Welshman
looked comfortable under the high ball as Lions won 34-6, with Williams’
performance enough to earn him a starting berth at full-back in the first test.
It was a selection that was vindicated on the 35-minute mark
when Williams collected a pass from Anthony Watson deep inside his own 22 with
seemingly little on.
A step inside Kieran Read saw space open up and the full-back
seized upon it, making his way to the halfway line before his progress was
eventually halted.
His offload to Jonathan Davies kept the momentum going and
the ball found its way via Elliot Daly to O’Brien, who charged over for an
incredible team score.
“I looked up, I saw a bit of space and I just stuck my head down,”
said Williams afterward, with more than a touch of understatement.
“I love playing 15, and I love having the ball in hand and I
love having a run.
Since the British Irish Lions tour: Liam Williams
“There are times when you have to stick it long or go up to
the air. It was on, and I had a go and at the end of that move we had scored in
the left-hand corner.”
Lions ended up on the losing side in the first Test but
Williams was influential once more as the tourists squared the series the
following weekend, providing the assist for fellow countryman Toby Faletau’s
try in a 24-21 win in Wellington.
Williams impressed again in the third Test, looking solid
under the high ball and threatening with ball in hand in the hard-fought 15-15 draws
which secured a historic tied series.
ON THE MOVE
Williams had enjoyed a dream end to his time at Scarlets before
the 2017 Tour, scoring the opening try in their convincing 46-22 victory over
Munster in the Guinness PRO12 Final which secured the first title for the club
since 2003.
Upon returning from New Zealand he has begun a new challenge
with English Premiership heavyweights Saracens and continued his domestic
dominance.
Williams scored 11 tries in all competitions during his first
season with the London outfit, which saw those crowned Premiership champions,
and scored a blistering 25-minute hat-trick against Bristol Bears in his first
match of the 2018/19 season.
Another treble followed against Bath just three weeks later
and he continued to cross the whitewash regularly including when the season
reached crunch time.
The jet-heeled Welshman scored in both the semi-final and
final in the 2018/19 Premiership play-offs as Saracens sealed back-to-back
titles and played the full 80 minutes on the right-wing in the European
Champions Cup final against Leinster, which Sarries won 20-10 to complete a
memorable double.
Williams’ overall Premiership record in his time at Allianz
Park was quite remarkable. He scored 16 tries in 21 matches and lost just twice
in the competition in a Saracens shirt.
Since the British Irish Lions tour: Liam Williams
GRAND SLAM WINNER
Nowhere was the Welsh international’s versatility better
displayed than in the 2018 Guinness Six Nations, when he played in a different
position in each of his three matches.
Having lined up on the right-wing in Dublin, Williams was at
full-back in the win over Italy before switching to the left-wing for the visit
of France to Cardiff – when Williams’ fourth-minute score proved crucial in a
14-13 win.
The following year’s Championship saw Williams start at
full-back in all five games and he was named man of the match in their 21-13
win over England at the Principality Stadium.
A 25-7 triumph over Ireland in Round 5 sealed a Grand Slam –
the third time Wales had achieved a clean sweep under Warren Gatland.
Gatland’s final tournament in charge was the 2019 World Cup
and Williams was quickly into his groove, scoring in pool stage victories over
Georgia and Fiji.
He played in the quarter-final success against France but an
ankle injury picked up in training ruled him out of the last four clashes
against South Africa, who edged out Gatland’s men 19-16 before beating England
in the final.
Williams made his return to international rugby in Wales’
defeat to Twickenham in March and will hope to feature during what remains of
the 2020 Guinness Six Nations as well as in the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup.
BACK HOME
Saracens’ enforced relegation from the Premiership for salary
cap breaches saw Williams return to Scarlets, who he re-joined with immediate
effect in February 2020.
The Covid-19 pandemic forced rugby into lockdown in the months
that followed and Williams is yet to make his second debut for the
Llanelli-based side, but he will be eager to make an impression when he gets
going again with his first professional club as he seeks an opportunity to earn
further Lions recognition next summer.
British Irish Lions Tour tickets are available on our website at very discounted prices. So fans can book British lions Ticketson www.xchangetickets.com.
Wales international Nick Tompkins has outlined his ambition
to play for The British & Irish Lions next summer, stating it would be the
“ultimate dream” to go to South Africa.
The 25-year-old is currently on a season-long loan at Dragons
from Saracens and made his international debut for Wayne Pivac’s Wales in this
year’s Six Nations.
He announced his arrival on the international stage with a
try against Italy, the first of his four caps so far, and the centre is
expected to be named in Pivac’s autumn squad this week.
British and Irish lions would be the ultimate dream
But while his immediate focus is on impressing for club and
country, Tompkins hopes he can do enough in the next year to achieve his end
goal – representing the Lions in South Africa.
“That would be the ultimate dream,” Tompkins told the Scrum V
podcast. “The dream is there, but the goal is with Wales and the Dragons.
“Firstly, I want to help the Dragons improve however I can
and perform on a high stage with them.
“But then I made this move as well because I wanted to focus
on international rugby and put a stamp down on that and prove why I am there.
“After that you are looking at the Lions as well. I started
small because the big end goal has to be there because you need the motivation.
“I would be lying if I said I did not have anything to work
towards and it has to be international rugby and why not the Lions? I am not
saying I am making it, I am saying I am going to try.
“The goal is with Wales, trying to get into the camp, get
into that starting line-up and control what I can control. That is all I can
do.”
Tompkins is one of several new players to have arrived at
Rodney Parade in the past few months, with two-time Lions tourist Jamie Roberts
and Wales international Jonah Holmes.
British and Irish lions would be the ultimate dream
And while he has missed his Saracens teammates, Tompkins is
relishing the new challenge ahead of him at the Welsh region as he looks to
take a more senior role.
“It was exciting on so many different levels,” he explained.
“Coming from Sarries and quite a chaotic situation which is tough for those
lads, I don’t know how they are doing it.
“The uncertainty there is mental and is still going on. As
much as I miss the boys, to get away from that and to go and focus on the
Dragons has been a godsend.
“It has given me a different task and standing in the group.
“With Sarries I was a bit of a cog in a machine and rightly
so because there are so many unbelievable players there like Lions and
experienced people like Brad Barritt.
“I come to the Dragons and I am now a senior player and have
to take on a role I have not done before. I am out of my comfort zone and
learning a lot which I definitely need to do.
“It’s so refreshing to have that kind of outlook and be in
that role. That’s my journey and what I need to work out.”
British Irish Lions Tour tickets are available on our website at very discounted prices. So fans can book British lions 2021 Ticketson www.xchangetickets.co.za.
