Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: 2009 Lions tour reflection from Gerald Davies

Thursday, July 16, 2009

2009 Lions tour reflection from Gerald Davies

The dust has settled after the tumultuous British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa for 2009 which the hosts won 2-1. The Lions restored pride though by winning the final Test. Total Rugby caught up with Lions manager, Gerald Davies.

Davies himself is a legend of the game, playing at wing for Wales before making his debut for the British & Irish Lions in 1968, then playing for them again in 1971.

As manager of the 2009 pack of Lions, Davies brought with him a sense of calm and old school values that were perhaps missing on their previous tour, to New Zealand in 2005.

"If there was such a thing as a Lions 'age', I believe we've gone some way towards recovering the spirit of it on this trip," he commented afterwards.

In this interview, Davies reflects upon the positives of the tour, and talks about the pride that they’ve restored with their strong performances.

He also touches on the fact that the Lions concept should indeed be around for a long time to come, despite many claiming that it’s lost its allure.

Time: 05:40

Was a good series what a way to end it as well GG lions but go BOKKE! ;)

By JuiCe, at July 16, 2009 3:56 pm
A wonderful tour! I was out there for the 3 tests and the Lions fans were incredible (coming from a Bok fan). Long live the Lions, my tickets are booked for 12 years time :)

By Anonymous, at July 16, 2009 4:24 pm
it was a nice tour
very passionate, physical, marketing and so on..

but further than create a great atmosphere, it should be interesting that lions win the series than being the "glorious" losers presented by Sky

The tree (3rd match win) doesn't hide the forest (no series won since 1997)

By Flooz, at July 16, 2009 5:34 pm
Sorry the lions just dont excite me that much, well not this years lions anyway. Then on top of that stuart barnes and his friends comentary is so boring and irritating. bring on the tri nations and the ozzy commentators... GREEGAN!,,,lARKHAM!!!!,,,, MORTLOCK!.... WHAT AN ANGLE!!!! HES OVAAAAAAA!!!!!! TRY!!!!!!!

By poopaul, at July 16, 2009 6:51 pm
I agree with some of the comments here.. although obviously the Lions should, and hopefully will, stick around forever.

Cant wait for the Tri Nations. We're spoilt as rugby fans! :D

By FrankyH, at July 16, 2009 7:41 pm
Indeed1 It was a great tour! BTW, guys, test your knowledge of rugby, here: http://www.compitashop.com/Rugby/how-much-do-you-know-about-rugby.html

By Ashley Bell, at July 16, 2009 9:07 pm
lions lions lions lions ,...
anything else?

By Anonymous, at July 16, 2009 9:10 pm
Can someone who's already signed up to the forum suggest rugbydump show the France series win against the All Blacks in 1994

By Chris G, at July 16, 2009 9:56 pm
at least this tour has shown rog to be a shit player. i think the debate about who is better between stephen jones and rog is over.

cant wait for 2013!!!

By Anonymous, at July 16, 2009 11:29 pm
^^^

LMAO you dont play test rugby for your country nor do you become selected to play for the lions if you are a Shite player...

Oh what a surprise such an idiotic comment comes from an anonymous...

By themull, at July 17, 2009 12:38 am
who's this welsh bellend??lol

By Anonymous, at July 17, 2009 12:47 am
I'm Irish and I think ROG is a liability, an accident waiting to happen in every single game. I agree Jones is better. There are a few fans who will stand by him blindly, the team they support wear red and hail from South West Ireland. That's all.

By Doyle, at July 17, 2009 2:58 am
Anonymous- "whos this welsh bellend"
You dont have to be welsh to see that O gara is terrible and jones a much better player. Im english and its clear as day.

By GloriousTigggggger, at July 17, 2009 3:22 am
I'm an Aussie and I agree that ROG is a crap player.
Can't defend, isn't creative, doesn't run much, all he's got is his kicking game.
He's a liability.

By Anonymous, at July 17, 2009 4:45 am
If you think about it .. if LIONS won every single game and tour.. whats the use of them touring?.. its good to have an even of losses and wins.. dont you guys think?

By Anonymous, at July 17, 2009 5:04 am
This lions tour seemed like they were more of a team than in 2005. I enjoyed it and we could of easily won it if a few decisons went our way and certain players didnt mess up on an epic scale mr o'gara ;)

By Anonymous, at July 17, 2009 5:51 am
ROG may not have much to offer other than his kicking...and there are some players out there that might just dispossess him of his role as ONE of the best (there are many "best") kickers in rugby today.

I hate to say that since I'm usually a fan of his...oh well.

I agree with you guys; I'm pumped for the start of the 3N. This year looks pretty promising (when doesn't it, though?).

By ziggitybop, at July 17, 2009 7:43 am
Yeahhhh 3N tomorrow:)
Have a crate of beer on the ABs to win tomorrows game with a mate, but I have hedged that with $30 at the tab on Aus:) It's gonna be fun either way.

By Doyle, at July 17, 2009 8:59 am
This series was a clangger! And the next Springbok team to play them will certainly have their hands full! Because it will be "no more mr nice guy" I also have my hands full right now, so i know the feeling!

By Anonymous, at July 17, 2009 9:16 am
How many of the 3N games will be played in Timbuktu this year as SANZAR struggle desperately again to try and make some money from their tiny little tournament?

As if the lack of atmosphere in the Super 14 wasn't bad enough due to 0 away fans, they have to play games in foreign countries. What a bunch of jokers.

By Anonymous, at July 17, 2009 9:42 am
Yeah you sure showed us.
We'll just have to content ourselves with being the three best teams in the world playing in the toughest rugby tournament in the world.
Oh and you might want to do something about that chip on your shoulder mate.

By jon, at July 17, 2009 9:54 am
Whatever Jon...prat.

Anyway, i also think O'gara is pants. Both Jones and Hook were better.

By andy, at July 17, 2009 11:04 am
Thank God that Sexton is going to be #1 for Ireland this year, I despise ROG, always have, he is petulant and a sore loser.( also cant tackle ( he has been nicknamed Ronan Keating!) Considers playing for Munster more important than wearing the Irish jersey. Yes a great kicker but a medioclre all round fly half.

By ConnachtFan, at July 17, 2009 11:52 am
good series, entertaining at all times
have to join in and point out that i also find stephen jones a much better choice than O'Gara, both on defense and offense.
and to the idiot anonymous who hides away claiming 3N is rubbish then you expect to much from a sport. 3N is one of the most entertaining tournaments of the year. being welsh i obviously watch a lot of NH rugby and i dont want to re-spark the debate about NH and SH coz its over-played, but watching 3N for a few weeks is more exciting than all the NH tournaments put together. three best teams in the world doing what they do best on the pitch.. IMO only the world cup and lions tours can compete with the atmosphere and talent on display.

By Jordan, at July 17, 2009 4:33 pm
his last sentence was so so so true

By nomex, at July 18, 2009 1:44 pm
On the whole O'Gara debate, as a Munster fan and not particularly a fan of ROG, I find the Connachtfan's comments abit over blown, Sexton is nearly as good a passer as ROG, can break, but is more petulant and cocky than ROG will ever be. His 2 week ban for kicking Mafi in the face when things weren't going his way in April stand out. He isn't as developed as Rog was at his age, a good but not great kicker and nearly adaquate goal kicking, he does have a very poor ratio for Leinster and Ireland A. ROG was 22 during his first 6N, Sexton is already 24. If people think O'Gara can't tackle, wait til they get a load of how bad Sexton is, ROG is 5'10 while Sexton is 6'2 and carrying more weight, and how injury prone he can be. ROG's main problem has been his lack of competition at Munster and Ireland, Paul Warrick has put paid to that at Munster, although ROG will always be first choice in HCup.

Don't leave all your Irish hopes in Sexton's hands is all I'm saying, Ian Keatley has shown alot of promise without the big names around him, but he has Connacht to deal him his cards and has done well considering.

Lets remember, Chieka didn't trust Sexton all season, until he was forced to, Nacewa and Holwell were both choosen ahead of him at 10, even though Sexton had a good finish to season, if your coach who sees you everyday doesn't have faith in you, then there are clearly questions.

Also, 1 problem with sportsmen/ women of any code is their lack of anything worthwhile to say and the cliche which they stick to, but ROG is refreshing and open in that regard, whether people see that as cockiness or not is up to them. Playing for club, country or Lions are different challenges, and different honours, to say after 10 seasons, 90 odd caps and 3 Lions tours that he prefers playing for Munster is a little disingenious. ROG has not shied away from this question either like most others would.

I think after defending like this my nose has turned brown.

By Huh!! the 3rd, at July 18, 2009 7:24 pm
Also, ConnachtFan's comment that Sexton will be No. 1 next season.

What planet are you on, do you really believe that he'll be 10 come the games against SA, Aus and 6N. Even if ROG has a shocking start to season theres no way an uncapped player no matter how good will overtake an established one in 3 tests. He'll get time against Fiji and Italy if he's lucky, guaranteed, and or if SA/ Aus games are over as contests.

Undisputable.

By Huh!! the 3rd, at July 18, 2009 7:30 pm
I think this tour was awful! The best team didn't win. The Lions team was far more skilled + talented. If you disagree then you don't know Rugby.

Lions 7 Tries
SA 5 Tries

Lions 74 points
SA 63 points

Nuff said!

By Truth, at September 06, 2009 11:39 pm