Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: British & Irish Lions thrash the Golden Lions in Johannesburg

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

British & Irish Lions thrash the Golden Lions in Johannesburg

The British and Irish Lions ran riot at Ellis Park earlier tonight as they romped to a 74-10 victory over the Golden Lions in Johannesburg.

Scoring 10 tries and looking a far improved unit from the side that struggled to beat the Royal XV last weekend, the British & Irish Lions found plenty of gaps in the home side’s lacklustre defence.

Looking uninspired and generally disappointing, the Golden Lions simply didn’t turn up, looking disorganised and leaderless. Perhaps that’s not surprising following coach Loffie Eloff being sacked just last week.

It was a case of how good were the visitors, or how bad were the home side? Probably a combination of both, as the men in red hit their straps with the center pairing of Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts looking like a serious contender for Test honours.

Roberts, Tommy Bowe, and Ugo Monye all claimed two tries a piece, while captain O’Driscoll, Tom Croft, James Hook, and Stephen Ferris all crossed the tryline.

Stephen Jones kicked 18 points, with substitute Hook coming on and kicking three late conversions, resulting in a record win over the Johannesburg based side.

Time: 06:08

How did the Golden Lions line up compare to their usual Super 14 team?

Thanks.

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 10:08 pm
^ They were missing a cpl of Boks, and had a third choice lock pairing.. They also lost their fullback early on (who had been selected for the Emerging Boks side)..

But I dont know, I think they just played crrrrrrap. Looked like they didnt appreciate the occasion. Some nice finishing by the B&I Lions though. Good win.

By FrankyH, at June 03, 2009 10:11 pm
As a Bok fan I say the follwoing:

Ok the Golden Lions did not play well BUT:

The BI Lions had never played together before. They socred 10 tries and took just about every chance they had, converting almost very line break.

Their forwards looked fast, athletic and powerful in the tackle.
As a fan I want to see a great thundering test series and I think we are going to see it.

for me, Phillips the 9 was very impressive. He made breaks, took good options, is a string runner and good tackler. Total package really.

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 10:14 pm
Definitly an improvement on the game against the royal XV. This seemed to be a weaker team so they were able to link up well and take their opportunities. The important thing is for them not to get overcondifent from this victory and keep the momentum going. Tommy bowe had a stormer:) and gethinx jenkins hit to make the last try for ferris=ouch!!!!!!!
From a welsh fan:)

By Matt, at June 03, 2009 10:28 pm
Mike Philips at 12 was a laugh to watch! Also taking Monye off for the last 10 minutes...to simulate having someone sinbinned? Personally I thought that was a little arrogant but I guess all practice is necessary for a physical game against the Boks.
- Also a noticeable improvement in defence, obviously Edwards and Gatland had a massive go at them! Two huge tackles at the end leading to that great try by ferris...

By Kellini, at June 03, 2009 10:49 pm
Kellini.

Monye went off for the last 10 with cramp, but I think the Lions had used all their permissible subs at that point.......so that's why they had 14 on the field.

Correct me if I am wrong.

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 10:59 pm
These games are always a no win situation for the B&I Lions.

If they lose or don't win by many, people will say they suck (like Saturday).

If they win by a lot and give the performance that people want, then they'll say the opposition sucked.

In the past the Xerox/Golden/Gauteng/Lions/Transvaal have always run the B&I Lions close and won a few too.

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 11:11 pm
Croft proved all his doubters wrong with a performance of the highest quality.

Nobody had a bad game and a lot were outstanding. Good signs.

Lions 2-1

By MadMax, at June 03, 2009 11:40 pm
anyone know where 2 watch the games online?in america and nowhere shows real sport!

llanelliboy

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 11:45 pm
TO the ANON above justin.tv is a good website for watching the games live....Sometimes not the best of quality but they are usually ok

By themull, at June 03, 2009 11:50 pm
Hands up if you thought the BI Lions would put 74 on the Golden Lions.........that's what I thought.

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 11:52 pm
jamie roberts and BOD got to be test centers.

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 12:11 am
llanelliboy

I live in Seattle and watched the game on my pc via mediazone.com $9.99 per game or $99 package.

By Simon, at June 04, 2009 12:27 am
llanelliboy,

Try this www.myp2p.eu
Just register and it's free, they have a number of streams so you just have to go through them to find the smoothest picture. I'm in Oz but was able to watch the 6N on my laptop through this.

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 12:35 am
I feel that after a display like that the test team wingers should be Bowe and Monye, their finishing was imense.

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 12:52 am
What odds on Monye beating Williams to a place on the wing? He looks well-suited to South African conditions. Croft likewise. But then again, a game like tonight even made Vickery look lithe :)

And Llanelliboy, I watched it via a link on myp2p.eu as well, and thought the South African coverage was first class.

By MisterDavid, at June 04, 2009 12:52 am
Judging by the form Williams is in I think that just about any three quarter could beat him to a test jersey.

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 12:58 am
Mike Phillips was immense, as was BOD but the thing he did in defence all the time (rushing up on his own) wasnt the best option at times.

By TrinhDuck, at June 04, 2009 1:41 am
Anonymous said...
Hands up if you thought the BI Lions would put 74 on the Golden Lions.........that's what I thought.

Me, I thought they'd score 113 pts so I'm a bit disappointed.

By loosehead, at June 04, 2009 3:24 am
yeh great performance by the lions considering they've been together 2weeks, against a pretty poor side in fairness.if they can get the blitz defence working to perfrection they will be a very good team to score against.just have to make sure that teams dont get behind them and offload lik what happened once or twice last nite.roberts and BOD shud prob start,tho will see what darcy can do.not sur eabout monye,he still kinda worries me in general positioning,byrne will definitely start,probably jones and philips as well,not a huge fan of ROG as he doesnt offer much going forward plus his weak defence.croft a must startnin the tests.

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 4:52 am
Are ticket prices just too expensive in SA, or is it that rugby isn't really all that big a deal there? Or is it because it was a weekday?

I was just expecting a better turn out for a Lions tour...

By Todd Clever, at June 04, 2009 5:36 am
I could see the O'Driscoll-Roberts outside-to-in thing not working on a defence that rushes up...a defence like the one O'Driscoll himself played all game.

Anyway, great show by the B&I Lions...really looking forward to the test matches now!

By Slippery Pete, at June 04, 2009 6:53 am
I have given the B&I Lions a really hard time before now, mostly because I enjoy the rise it gets out of B&I Lions fans, but this was very impressive.
This Lions team looks close to what I expect to run out agianst the Boks (throw in O'connell and a couple others) and they look good.
Granted the Golden Lions (I wish they were still Transvaal) are in a bad state, missing several of their best players, having just fired their coach at the end of a rubbish S14 preformance and their players actually threatening to boycott the B&I Lions match in protest at their situation.
All that aside they have some good players in their team and are not the worst side in the world.
The Roberts and BOD midfield looks very dangerous and the forwards worked very hard this match.
I don't expect them to have the ability to beat the Boks at home, but I'm confident now that it'll be a close series. Which is great for the spectacle and is as it should be, considering the B&I Lions are drawn from four of the six nations countries.

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 7:13 am
I'm delighted that Philippes finally remembered he's a scrum not a back row (from what I heard)
My concern about Croft is, if you play him you one less ball carreier but he's immense all round the park so it will depend on how you wanna play.
I suspect Sackey would have been picked if not for injury so Monye is the closest substitution. Both very quick sprinter, working hard in defence all round the park. Nothing fancy, just all the basics and hard nose character.

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 8:09 am
My starting line up for test match:

15. Lee Byrne
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12. Jamie Roberst
11. Ugo Monye
10. Stephen Jones (I would like it to be O'Gara, but Jones is playing better)
9. Mike Phillips (Same again, I would rather it was Blair, but Phillips is on top form)
8. Jamie Heaslip
7. David Wallace or Martyn Williams
6. Joe Worsley or Tom Croft
5. Paul O'Connell
4. Alun Wyn Jones

3. Euan Murray
2. Lee Mears
1. Gethin Jenkins

Bench:
16- Ross Ford if he isn't starting
17- Adam Jones
18- O'Callaghan
19- One of the flankers above^^
20- Mike Blair
21- Ronan O'Gara
22- Riki Flutey (NOT TOO SURE ABOUT THIS POSITION)

By ArranR, at June 04, 2009 8:53 am
The reason that there was no crowd was that the stadium is in a dodgy area of joburg and noone wants to go there.

also the golden lions ae terrible, even with their best players available, which they weren't. it was a nothing game.

bloemfontein at lunchtime should be better.

By nomad, at June 04, 2009 9:28 am
Well...cant say that there is a Saffa who should be surprised at this score.....Far too much drama, and not enough skill at the Golden Lions to expect anything else. Thank goodness they have employed Jake White to bring this side back up to where it belongs.

A positive to this score line though, judging by the English newspaper responses...the B&I Lions think they are better than they actually are....

By Just a Fan, at June 04, 2009 10:17 am
What a difference a BOD makes!

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 10:38 am
i think the lions thopeed the goldens playing, and thats why they were so bad!

By Lawday, at June 04, 2009 10:39 am
I like the look of that lions team....tho i still think its gonna be a series win to the boks.

By Del Boy, at June 04, 2009 10:44 am
lions 2-1 dont forhet bout fitzgerald in next game and Darcy 2 provide physicality wud also like 2 see Ocallaghan play bt im probably irish bias

By Leinster fan 4 life, at June 04, 2009 12:15 pm
Was Todd Clever the first American to play against the lions?

By Geraint Hill, at June 04, 2009 12:40 pm
WHAT ABOUT LEIGH?! DON'T WRITE HIM OFF YET! I LOVE HIM AND I'M ENGLISH FFS!

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 12:44 pm
Shameful turn out for both of the first games. So much for the country being rugby purists, obviously just glory hunters.

There will be more fans showing up for the England v Argentina game at Old Trafford on Saturday, deep into football territory and with a 2nd string team thats in average form.

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 12:54 pm
Just a Fan said...
Well...cant say that there is a Saffa who should be surprised at this score.....Far too much drama, and not enough skill at the Golden Lions to expect anything else. Thank goodness they have employed Jake White to bring this side back up to where it belongs.

A positive to this score line though, judging by the English newspaper responses...the B&I Lions think they are better than they actually are....

How about a postive being every player on the B & I team played well.

This golden lions lot awere sh*t and the B & I lions shipped nearly 80 points on them so you can expect a nice close encounter against the springboks to come.

The B & I lions will also be well run and fit after playing 4/5 games in a row where as the springboks will have a slightly changed team showing soem changes at fullback and halfback so expect some drama.

By Kenny, at June 04, 2009 1:06 pm
Can't we just wrap BOD in cotton wool and wheel him out on a chariot for the tests?

By Andy, at June 04, 2009 1:17 pm
dont forget halfpenny darcy fitzgerald o callaghan still havent played so team is not decided yet but, after last nights game, looks very strong.

By Kenny, at June 04, 2009 1:28 pm
"Can't we just wrap BOD in cotton wool and wheel him out on a chariot for the tests?"
Bit like the queen?

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 1:32 pm
i 2nd andy on that..

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 1:39 pm
From a bok fan, glad to see the good rugby we expect from the B&I Lions, I want to see a great test against the boks and I think we will. No Bok fan will ever under-estimate the Lions, it seems as though the only ones doing that (on previous posts under diff videos on this site) are the Lions fans themselves.
Here's to good rugby to come!
GO BOKS!

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 2:41 pm
Good win, but also a good few things that need to be adressed at training, like why we got pinged sooo many times when we had the ball going forward (going off feet) really need to be worked on in training this week
__________________________________
Just a Fan said...
A positive to this score line though, judging by the English newspaper responses...the B&I Lions think they are better than they actually are....

____________________________________

WEll i say this mate, the british press,especially the english papers talk PURE Bull Sh*t , when were losing its the end of the world as we know it and when we win we are the best around, Dont take anything written in the british press as an opion of the genral british rugby public, im sure we all know what challange the cheaters will be after that shambles known as the golden lions yesterday

By ryebye, at June 04, 2009 2:46 pm
The main reason for the lack of crowd is because the stadium is in such a dodgy area it's not worth risking your life over & another is because the Golden Lions haven't been producing good rugby for the past year..hopefully Jake White can sort this out!
Well played B&I anyway, from a Bok fan

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 2:50 pm
Can anyone tell me where the Golden Lions came in the S14, they don't seem to be as good as they use to be (talking years back now?)

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 2:57 pm
Shameful from the GLions & well played to the B&I Lions, credit where it's due, from another BOK FAN! Can't wait for the test matches now!

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 3:08 pm
Golden Lions finished 3rd from bottom i think! highlights please....i missed the match!

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 3:49 pm
The Zerox lion are not the lions super 14 team. They are only a feeder team for the main super 14 team so they may have a few third choice or in some cases second choice players from the super 14 lions team but for the most part they are only a second tier team who play in the currie cup.

So with that in mind the next fixture against the cheetahs should be alot more difficult but take nothing away from the B & I lions, they were clinical and showed no mercy.

By Kenny, at June 04, 2009 4:37 pm
Great showing from the B and I Lions but cant read too much into it as the opposition were not even close to their standard.....

I still say Fitzgerald should start ahead of Monye...

MY team so far would be..
15- Byrne
14- Bowe
13- BOD
12- Roberts
11- Fitzgerald
10- Jones
9- Phillips
8- Heaslip
7- Wallace/Ferris
6- Croft
5- POC
4- Alan Whyn Jones (spelling)
Still unsure about the front row...

By themull, at June 04, 2009 4:47 pm
Thought Vickery really put his hand up last night. Don't like him, but his leadership skills and general all round tackling and running display was very impressive. Scrums were solid also. Whoever said Croft isn't a ball carrier needs their head checked out, he may not be a bulldozer, but he's agile and very quick in space. The backline for the tests should be set now with the only question of who will take the last spot on the wing, between Monye / Williams / Halfpenny / Kearney. Great position to be in.

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 5:07 pm
Kenny, Golden Lions / Xerox Lions finished 12th in the Super 14.

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 5:08 pm
stop sayin british this, brithish that what about the fuckin irish???

We had the most players chosen so y not the IRISH LIONS

By Joey, at June 04, 2009 5:27 pm
i think there is such class on the wings that they dont need shane williams in the test 15.

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 5:33 pm
Joey
When the Lions were first established. They never wanted to be called "the British and Irish Lions", just "The Lions".
The same way the "Springboks" are not called "The South African Springboks" or the "Wallabies" "The Australian Wallabies".
But it comes up ever four years.

By Unknown, at June 04, 2009 5:43 pm
Croft doesnt have enough grit for the a tight battle against the boks, he's great in an open game but just isnt physical enough.
Ferris' try was great end to the match surely its illegal for such a huge man like that to move so friggin quickly lol

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 6:04 pm
where the hell are the highlights?

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 6:37 pm
Yeah, how long does it take to get the video?

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 7:05 pm
I dunno why people keep thinking Kearney is up for the wing...to my knowledge, it's not a position he particularly likes. Plus, he's a great fullback and if Byrne starts (which he should), Kearney is there as a sub...there are more than enough wingers to pick from before sticking a fullback in the spot.

By Popeye, at June 04, 2009 7:10 pm
HIGHLIGHTS PLEASE!!!!!

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 8:01 pm
Shame about the poor turn out for the game. 22,500 or so is way down on what I'd expected.

Apparently the stadium is in one of johannesburgs worst areas (which must make it beyond dodgy).

Also heard tix were more expensive than Super 14 ticket prices. Shame.

By JJM, at June 04, 2009 9:04 pm
Thanks RD

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 9:08 pm
Does Monye thinks he's some sort of Jay Z or Free Mason?

What was with the NWO/Rocafella celebration after every try. I thought he was a Christian lol?

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 9:18 pm
Hi, whats your name?
My name is Stephen Ferris A.K.A the staring number 6 for the lions.
And you are?
Well my name is Jaime Heaslip A.K.A the starting number 8 for the lions.
WOW i hear your friends with Jamie Roberts and Brian O'Driscoll.
Who?
You know, the starting Centre partnership for the lions.
Oh Yeah. Theyre good friends of mine

By Ben Kirby, at June 04, 2009 10:45 pm
very creative MR Kirby, but i agree

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 10:53 pm
Shameful turn out for both of the first games. So much for the country being rugby purists, obviously just glory hunters.

There will be more fans showing up for the England v Argentina game at Old Trafford on Saturday, deep into football territory and with a 2nd string team thats in average form.

to the anon above - you obviously haven't been to jo'burgh ...I'm sure if you had, you would know that the stadium is one hell of a dodgy area...and it gets worse every year...you guys won't understand because in your country at least you have crime under control...the lack of crowd had nothing to do about rugby, but more about the fact that it's safer to watch a rugby match from the safety of your home in some parts of SA.
To try to explain this to you would or to even give you a glimps of what it's like mate, would take all day...
Well played to the B&I Lions anyway, good game!

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 10:55 pm
Why did some people sate that this is a S14 team & now they say it isn't??? I'm really confused as to who we just played. RD - can you confirm is this GLions team S14/Currie cup or lesser??? I NEED ANSWERS!!!

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 10:57 pm
Hi their is a better vid here, Sky highlights RD will prob throw it up anyway,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-Wr-9BioJk
ferris is brilliant(Pierre who?) even tho its tooth and nail with Croft I think because hes more physical he will get the test spot. Jones and O'Gara is tight but I don't think its fair to give O'Gara so much crap about his passing game when he is on the gain line their are few better passers.

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 11:10 pm
Living in Argentina where there's no footage of the build up games - huge thanks for putting the highlights on. Good man!

Scotsman in Argentina.

By Anonymous, at June 04, 2009 11:16 pm
stop seeing "trytime" please

By Cheis, at June 04, 2009 11:53 pm
Highlights great to watch. Thanks RD.

Don't see too much forward play on highlights, but lovely to see the ball given some air in the backs.

A lot of tries scored off the offload in the tackle. Mightn't get that chance against the Springboks.

There are a few more matches yet before the first test, so there are still opportunities to impress and compare.

Golden Lions NOT a Super 14 team.

Some good big hits in defence by the Lions, good hands by Jones for try six, Monye looks good running with ball, and how quick is Ferris?

By kiwi, at June 04, 2009 11:53 pm
Ferris is more known for his brawn and commitment to the breakdown, great to see that he can stretch his legs too, fair play to him. My team
1. Jenkins
2. Dylan Hartley (May yet make it)
3. Vickery
4. O'Connell
5. A.W. Jones
6. Ferris
7. Williams
8. Heaslip
9. Phillips
10. Jones
11. Monye
12. Roberts
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Byrne

16. Mears
17. Murray
18. Croft
19. Wallace
20. Blair
21. Hook
22. Williams

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 12:09 am
Hi Kiwi - and to all those trying to figure out whether the B&I Lions played a Super 14 team or not:

Here is the line up for the "Auto & General Super 14 Lions" who played the Waratahs in their last Super 14 game:
15. Louis Ludik, 14. Dusty Noble, 13. Deon van Rensburg, 12. Doppies la Grange, 11. Michael Killian, 10. André Pretorius (Captain), 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Willem Alberts, 7. Robert Kruger, 6. Johan van Deventer, 5. Franco van der Merwe, 4. Anton van Zyl, 3. Gert Muller, 2. Willie Wepener, 1. Lawrence Sephaka
Replacements: 16. Hans van Dyk, 17. JC Janse van Rensburg, 18. Ernst Joubert, 19. Todd Clever, 20. Chris Jonck, 21. Earl Rose, 22. Walter Venter

And here is the team that played the B&I Lions:
L Ludik (rep: S Frolick, 6); M Killian, J Boshoff (rep: W Venter, 50), G la Grange, D Noble; A Pretorius, J Vermaak (rep: C Jonck, 65); L Sephaka (rep: JC van Rensburg, 50), W Wepener (rep: E Reynecke, 57), G Muller, B Mockford (rep: T Clever, 38), W Stoltz (rep: E Joubert, 5-11, 57), J Grobbelaar, F van der Merwe, W Alberts.

I think 10 are the same? Not sure though - some odd names in there (Doppies?? wtf is that?)

By Gavin, at June 05, 2009 12:22 am
Croft can move a bit!
Bowe is bloody lethal!
Ferris is a beast!
More please, with better oppo.

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 1:12 am
Scotsman in Argentina get on the old imternet there and look up www.myp2p.eu register and sign in and have a browse through other sports, you'll find the lions games are on live streams. They are only live though so you have to watch as the game is being played, not sure what time it would be in Argentina. Irishman in Oz

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 1:17 am
stephen ferris v pierre spies! wat a contest! cant wait, considering ferris gets a test spot..

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 1:36 am
Why exactly are we (Irish) in this touring team? It's a bit of a strange one, no? I understand the Northern lads playing because many of them consider themselves British, that's fine. But why are the southern lads playing? Lets face it, its the British Lions. Its a British touring team, known as British throughout the world, is any other Irish person not a little embarrassed that we're taking part in it? Are we not mature enough as a country to opt out of this charade, we're not British, the Lions are effectively a British touring team. I'd genuinely like to hear people's opinions on this.

By Hugh, at June 05, 2009 2:45 am
Hugh grow up you idiot, bigoted interference in sport got an innocent man beaten to death in the North a couple of weeks ago, it was soccer related. Why can't we enjoy it and be proud that so many Irish players have been given the honour of representing a British and Irish touring party? You should really get off this forum, it's not the place for moronic statements like that. I'd like to request the mods delete both Hugh and my comment because they are unnecessary and have no place here, I just wanted to let him know he's a fool. This is a rugby site, no politics.

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 2:56 am
Anonymous said...
where the hell are the highlights?
Anonymous said...
Yeah, how long does it take to get the video?

Idiot, it's a free service brought to you by some rugby fans, they don't owe you a thing but you owe them some courtesy.

By Ian, at June 05, 2009 2:58 am
Hugh celebrate the rugby. It is the British and Irish Lions. The Irish are a fantastic people as are the Welsh, the Irish and Scottish. All bring different things to the table that make us collectively British and terrific.

Celebrate it, enjoy the rugby and leave the partisan politics (which frankly are irrelevant when crazy Jihadists are around) out of it.

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 3:34 am
ps collectively British and Irish before you make a comment haha

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 3:35 am
I hate the way people are putting fitzgerald on the wing for the 1st test and he hasnt even played yet!!

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 3:38 am
I am so sick of this 'British Lions' stuff. I mean the captain is Irish, the one everyone is raving about(BOD) is Irish, half the players are Irish, so why do people still call them 'The British Lions'. It's completely disrespectful.

By B & I repeat I Lions, at June 05, 2009 4:11 am
come on? why are ireland on the lions? they always have been they always will, pg. ask the players if they'd like to stop. it is voluntary you know.... do you even play the game?

you want ireland to drop out and be totally independant from everyone? close the fucking borders why not?.

Hugh, you're some bollox.

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 4:15 am
Hugh, this year's B&I tour is more Celtic than Anglo-Saxon, so I don't know why you're all bent out of shape. But it's not even about that - nationality or ethnicity...it's about being a Lion.

I'm all about nationalism, but this is about rugby; leave that shit at the door.

Maybe it's different over there in the islands, but I've NEVER heard the B&I Lions referred to as just the "British Lions"...so, to the rest of the world, it's still British AND Irish Lions...try not to get so worked up, would ya?

By Flapjack, at June 05, 2009 4:36 am
I'll tell you what...Clever really is a great player who puts his all into the game...not just because he was playing against the Lions, but that's just how he plays.

That chase after Hook just exemplifies how he doesn't stop playing until the whistle goes....or how he played w/out a shirt for the last minute or so of the first half because it got ripped off him.

Hopefully he keeps developing and getting better.

By Smitty, at June 05, 2009 5:37 am
Why are the Irish suddenly worried? The captain of the team is Irish, and the heartbeat of the team is Irish and a few players with a shoe in are Irish
If they're not talked about that's cox they're almost certain to start
"It's wrong for a big guy to move so friggin fast" - if that's a reference to Jamie Heaslip, and if anyone think Croft is fast, think again.
Piere Spies the number 8 for Boks is 110kg and run 100m in under 11s. In the S14 final he ruined the Cheifs backline. He will be someone to watch out for years to come

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 6:10 am
Why are the Irish suddenly worried? The captain of the team is Irish, and the heartbeat of the team is Irish and a few players with a shoe in are Irish
If they're not talked about that's cox they're almost certain to start
"It's wrong for a big guy to move so friggin fast" - if that's a reference to Jamie Heaslip, and if anyone think Croft is fast, think again.
Piere Spies the number 8 for Boks is 110kg and run 100m in under 11s. In the S14 final he ruined the Cheifs backline. He will be someone to watch out for years to come

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 6:10 am
Hugh, you are an idiot. You could use the same argument to pull Ireland out of the European Ryder Cup team. Grow up and take your petty nationalism with you sad man. This is the 21st century you know - when do you foresee yourself getting over your '800 years' of oppression? It wasn't caused by anyone alive today, so stfu and grow a pair. You are embarrassing yourself and the rest of us Irish people.

By Gavin, at June 05, 2009 8:56 am
Completely agree with Gavin.

BRING ON THE CHEETAHS! :D

By David, at June 05, 2009 12:13 pm
someone knows who was named man of the match¿

By RugbyFlanker, at June 05, 2009 12:45 pm
MOTM - ROberts

By FEDOR, at June 05, 2009 12:59 pm
Golden Lions were putting in some big hits but never seemed to maintain composure in defence.

Jones looking good at 10! Thought bowe got 3 from watching that? Nice to see some big hits going in from Heaslip and Jenkins. Monye and Bowe with Williams on the bench for the tests?

O'Connell is obviously going to get the nod for second row, but both AW Jones and Hines are looking good. Tempted with Hines to antagonise the 'Botha effect'.

By nick s, at June 05, 2009 1:24 pm
my lions team
15.Byrne
14.Bowe
13.ODriscoll
12.Roberts
11.Monye
10.Jones
9.Phillips
8.Heaslip
7.Williams
6.Ferris
5.OConnell
4.A.w.Jones
3.Murray
2.Mears
1.Jenkins

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 1:37 pm
My lions team:

15. Bynre
14. Bowe
13. BOD
12. Roberts
11. Monye/Fitzgerald (if he proves form in games to come)
10. Jones
9. Phillips
8. Heaslip
7. Wallace/Williams (if he proves his class:)
6. Croft/Ferris (really cant decide)
5. O'Connel
4. Wyn Jones
3. Murray
2. Mears/Ford (if he gets a few games under him)
1. Jenkins

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 3:20 pm
Hugh. We are here to enjoy the rugby. Let's hope that the future of ireland is a brigth one and we can put all the troubles behind us. Ireland's rugby team has made a great contribution to the Lions.

As to the name of the British Lions......I am old enough to remember that the team was called the British Lions up to the 1993 tour....I remember the scorebards during the 1993 tests said New Zealand and "British Isles."

In 1997 they started to all it the Bristish and Irish Lions and rightly so. It's a bit odd that it took that long.

Anyway lets leave politics out of it.

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 3:25 pm
hugh
are u a twat or something it the British and IRISH lions that are on tour, get a grip

By no9, at June 05, 2009 3:40 pm
Does anyone know the name of the South African commentator? Not the one on there, but the one who did the Bulls matches? He's deadly. Such a distinctive voice.

By B & I repeat I Lions, at June 05, 2009 6:06 pm
VERY fucking nice rugby from the british and irish lions. i love the buildup of tommy bowes first try. i thouroughly enojyed it ! :D

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 8:47 pm
yes 97th sweet,

no one givin wallace a shout at a test spot, i thought he was class against Royal xv, really stood up in defence with a huge break to boot.
plus he has to be on of the strongest runners in tight on the squad

By BTesco, at June 05, 2009 9:07 pm
i think that the team that played the golden lions vould be the test starting team. O'connell would be included and maybe martyn williams over tom croft, but im not sure as he had an awesome game. Oh yeh and Lee bryne. Impressive stuff.

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 9:35 pm
15. Byrne
14. Bowe
13. O Driscall
12. Roberts
11. Monye/Fitzgerald
10. Jones
9. Phillips
8. Heslep
7. Wallace
6. Feriis (sorry about the back row being irish as i am irish i am kind of bias...but i do feel that these three have it all with brute force (Ferris) Speed (Heslip) and tackling (Wallace)
5. O Connell
4. AW Jones
3. Euan murrey
2. Mears
1. Vickery

By Anonymous, at June 06, 2009 12:08 am
"Why exactly are we (Irish) in this touring team? It's a bit of a strange one, no? I understand the Northern lads playing because many of them consider themselves British, that's fine. But why are the southern lads playing? Lets face it, its the British Lions. Its a British touring team, known as British throughout the world, is any other Irish person not a little embarrassed that we're taking part in it? Are we not mature enough as a country to opt out of this charade, we're not British, the Lions are effectively a British touring team. I'd genuinely like to hear people's opinions on this."

Its called the British and Irish Lions you pleb!

By Anonymous, at June 06, 2009 12:45 am
Monye u fukin beast reminds me of Rokokoco when he runs a *itch to tackle when hes runnin lol

By Anonymous, at June 06, 2009 1:23 am
Monye's got gas!!!!!!!!!!!

By Anonymous, at June 06, 2009 1:50 am
tommy bowe is playing some fantastic rugby these days.brilliant to watch!roberts too.you'd swear he's been playing international rugby for years and years!very mature stuff

By mark, at June 06, 2009 4:51 am
LIONS LIONS LIONS LIONS!! cant wait to see hector following the lions! ALL the irish will know what im talking about here!

HUGH YOUR AN IGNORANT PEICE OF SHIT :)

By Anonymous, at June 06, 2009 10:35 pm
Anonymous said..
HUGH YOUR AN IGNORANT PEICE OF SHIT :)

There are ways to disagree with someone, but childish abuse with two spelling mistakes make you look like the ignorant one. And no, the smiley face doesn't help.

By Jimmy, at June 08, 2009 11:05 am
Well I had no idea that my question would get people so...angry.
First thing, I'm not some die-hard Nationalist who abhors any cooperation with British culture, as some of the comments have made me out to be. It does not outrage me that Ireland take part in the British and Irish Lions tour, as some other comments insinuated. The tone of my original comment does not suggest outrage. The language of the responses has been preety disgusting. I did not bring this up for political reasons, I just wondered why exactly we were still part of a touring team that is traditionally a British one. Does anyone else find the "and Irish" part a rather clumsy add-on? Once upon a time we were British and our place in the team made sense, does it still? I'm actually shocked that someone suggest to the mods that I be blocked from future comment, was it really so offensive of me to raise a point?

By Hugh, at June 10, 2009 8:21 pm