Lions Memories - The Changing Room

Tomorrow the British & Irish Lions squad for the tour of South Africa will be announced amid much speculation and hype. As is to be expected, all discussions in rugby circles currently are about which individuals will be chosen, and which countries represented.

In another of the Lions Memories videos this week, we get to see past Lions players from different eras and countries, speak about what it can be like in the change room prematch.

When you have a mix of cultures coming together as one, there's bound to be a few different ways to approach the psych up before taking to the field.

Emotion in many forms takes place as the players prepare to take on the might of the opposition, and get themselves in the correct state of mind to do so.

It's a case of each to their own as every player readies himself differently. It's the same for all rugby players everywhere, but with the Lions, it was a case of teary eyes, aggressive behaviour, and on one occasion even, smoking a cigar.

How do YOU prepare prematch?Are you laid back and relaxed with a smile on your face, listening to music, or smashing your head into your mates chest? We're interested to hear it.

It's also your last chance to name your Lions tour squad before it's announced tomorrow.


Time: 02:12

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Lions Memories - To be a Lion

The British and Irish Lions set sail for South Africa in a few months on what should be an epic battle of endurance and guile as they take on the World Champions in their own backyard.

The squad for this year’s tour has yet to be chosen, but there are already a few names pencilled in that are going to be certainty’s to wear the famed red jersey.

To be a Lion, as described in this short video by former Lions greats, is an immense honour and opportunity that very rarely comes around in a player’s career.

Coming together from the four home nations, to play as one and become a band of brothers for a few weeks, going on a Lions tour is an experience like no other.

Willie John McBride, Gerald Davies, Lawrence Dallaglio, Gavin Hastings, and Gareth Edwards talk us through the experience and sense of pride associated with becoming a Lion, and having been one.

In the forthcoming weeks we’ll be featuring random Lions clips from the past to help with the build-up for the historic big tour.

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Sitiveni Sivivatu classic try - Lions tour of NZ 2005

The first test of the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2005 was overshadowed by the highly controversial and much documented spear tackle on Brian O'Driscoll. Just one minute into the game, the Lions lost their pivotal center and captain, which looked to have an effect on the outcome of the game, and perhaps even the tour.

Daniel Carter kicked two penalties before an Ali Williams try, and then shortly into the second half we saw this classic score that extended the lead even further.

Aaron Mauger broke the line and offloaded excellently to the supporting Tana Umaga, who then threw a fantastic long pass out to Sitiveni Sivivatu, who stepped inside to finish superbly.

Sivivatu, playing in only his second test for the All Blacks, went on to score again in the next test. His stepping off either foot was, and still is, incredibly potent with defenders back tracking.

As for the pass from Tana Umaga, it showed pure class, allowing his winger to run onto the ball in space. Great vision, and a wonderful try all round. The converted kick followed, taking the final score of the First Test to 21-3 to the home team.

:: Related Posts ::
Brian O'Driscoll spear tackled 2005

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The British Lions' famous 1989 series win in Australia

The 1989 British Lions tour of Australia will be remembered as one of the most confrontational battles to be seen in Lions rugby history. More importantly though, it was a tour that produced a historic Series victory for the Down Under.

Led by coach Ian McGeechan, the Lions tour of Australia encompassed a 12 match schedule, with the visitors coming out highly successful, winning all eight non test victories.

They lost the first test in Sydney, but in the second in Brisbane they didn’t back down to the Wallabies, and a few famous fights broke out that had the hostile media labelling the visitors thugs.

The platform was set for a classic decider as the two teams went into the third and final test squared at one-one, with plenty of animosity adding to the occasion.

Much of the match was decided by the boot, with respective goal kickers Michael Lynagh and Gavin Hastings having a contest of their own until a costly error that will never be forgotten.

Star Australia winger David Campese had been starved of possession for the majority of the match, and it was that frustration that led to one of Campo’s most notorious blunders, and a moment that possibly cost them the test series.

After an attempted drop goal by Rob Andrew went wide, Campese picked up the ball and instead of dotting it down or booting it down field, decided that there was an opportunity to counter attack.

He was confronted by Lions wing Ieuan Evans, and thinking that he would have drawn in the defender, he threw a pass out to Greg Martin, who was completely unaware of his intentions.
The pass was a shocker, and it allowed Evans to easily dive on the ball and score the soft try that resulted in the Lions winning the test as well as the series.

Campese was severely castigated in Australia for his failed attempt at the spectacular, and the moment would be one that haunted him for years to come.

‘It was my fault because I tried to step inside and pass at once, thinking that Evans would come with me,’ Campese wrote in his autobiography On a Wing and a Prayer.

‘In fact, when I passed, he was in between me and Martin, and when I threw such a hopeless pass he had a simple job in touching it down…. I still think the idea was perfectly sound, it was just that the execution was wrong.’

So the try enabled the Lions to snatch a historic 19-18 victory, and take the Test series 2-1 by the narrowest of margins.

:: Related Posts ::
New British & Irish Lions coach confirmed as Ian McGeechan
Classic Punchups From the Past - Part 1

Time: 06:35

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John Bentley wonder try vs Gauteng in 1997

Since I posted the British & Irish Lions Behind the Scenes clip, featuring Rob Howley's injury against Natal in 1997, there were a number of requests for this brilliant try that was scored by John Bentley on the same tour of South Africa.

Despite footage being surprisingly rare, we've managed to get a version of the try to share with those who have fond memories of it, as well as those who’ve never seen it before but really need to.

It was a special try scored by a man who off the field was quite a character. He was the life of the party, a real entertainer. Famed for being the joker on the tour, he did wonders for the team spirit amongst the boys from the British Isles on their historical tour back in ’97.

Bentley started in Rugby Union, being capped by England way back in 1988. He then took up League, which was professional in those days, and soon made the Great Britain team. When Union turned professional itself, he then came back, playing for Newcastle in 1996 before being selected for the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

He wasn’t necessarily a first choice player, so took his chance with open arms when given it against the Gauteng Lions - now just called the Lions.

His 70 meter effort where he seemingly ran through and around virtually the whole team, will go down in Lions history as one of the most memorable tries ever scored.

It was a special moment on the tour and a great solo run from a long way back. For those who witnessed it live 11 years ago, myself included, it is a try that will never be forgotten.

Note: If anyone has longer/better footage of this try please don't hesitate to send it our way.

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Behind the scenes - British & Irish Lions Tour 1997 vs Natal

Shiver by Coldplay

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Behind the scenes - British & Irish Lions Tour 1997 vs Natal

The British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 1997 was remembered as being one of the best Lions tours to date. A victory over the Boks in their own back yard was achieved for only the second time in the century by the Lions, making it a tour that will always be remembered as a historic occasion for fans around the globe.

Over the course of the next few months and year leading up to the 2009 tour of South Africa for the British & Irish Lions, we'll be digging up the best moments from the Lions tours thus far and featuring them in the build up to what should be another classic period in the history of world rugby.

Certainly, 1997 had some breathtaking moments that will forever be remembered and looked back on as classic bits of play that will be revered for being ingredients towards the tremendous victory. Who could forget Matt Dawson sniping down the wing and dummying about three of the Springbok defenders? Or that classic John Bentley 50m try vs Transvaal at Ellis Park? The biggest moment of course was Jerry Guscott's winning drop kick that sealed the series for the men from the British Isles.

This footage that you're about to watch though features one of the poignant occurrences on the tour. It's the devastating moment when superb Welsh scrum half Rob Howley realises his tour is over, the week before the first test, after dislocating his shoulder against late nineties powerhouses Natal in Durban. The injury cruelly denied Howley the chance to gain a full Lions cap at the time.

The clip starts with a highly rousing speech from coach Ian McGeechan that sends shivers down the spine and gives you an inside view as to one of the reasons why he's so well respected. Through the game we see the reactions of the players up close, and then of course the ill-fated injury to Howley. We also see tough as nails Martin Johnson nonchalantly getting stitched up before returning to the field.

Final Score: 42-14 to the Lions.
Time: 08:15


PLEASE NOTE: After the Waratahs War video from 2001, plenty of you mentioned and requested this clip, so here it is, but it comes with a warning for the more squeamish of viewers. The Howley injury isn't pretty, and the Martin Johnson gash to the eye is also very graphic, so watch with caution and if you don't like blood, rather watch Percy having his hair pulled here.

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New British & Irish Lions coach confirmed as Ian McGeechan

It's official, after many names were thrown around with plenty of speculation, Ian McGeechan has been announced as the man who will take the head coach role for the prestigious British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa next year.

McGeechan is more than qualified for the position, having been in charge three times previously, namely in 1989, '93 and '97, as well as being involved with the unbeaten midweek team in 2005.

He was also a Lion twice as a player, in 1974 and '77, so is no stranger to the concept of bringing together the elite from England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland.

The general feeling is that this role is made for McGeechan, and with the coach now confirmed, preparations, albeit planning at this stage, will begin and we should be set for a humdinger of a series in the World Champions' backyard in exactly a year from now.

Community forum rather than commenting?
Discuss the appointment of McGeechan further here.

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British & Irish Lions Tour 2001 - The Waratahs War

Against the NSW Waratahs on their 2001 tour of Australia, a near Test-strength Lions side took the field and won a bruising encounter, in which five yellow cards and one red were shown in a game that will forever be remembered for it's brutality.

The match that began with a first-minute yellow card for New South Wales lock Tom Bowman boiled over early in the second half when home full-back Duncan McRae was shown the red card for his seemingly unprovoked assault on O'Gara.

In the next passage of play another fight developed among the forwards. Cameron Blades and Brendan Cannon of New South Wales, and Danny Grewcock and Phil Vickery of the Lions, were sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes. At the time, O'Gara was still being helped from the field for stitches around a rapidly closing left eye.

At one stage in the game there were three missing from the New South Wales line-up, and the Lions two short, so the game disintegrated. But even without all the comings and goings to the sin-bin, the 10 minutes when it was 12 against 13 were, as O'Driscoll put it, "absolutely farcical".

The game ended with a convinving 17 point margin victory for the Lions though, but the injuries and brutality they faced would be remembered for a long time.

Lions coach Graeme Henry maintained that it was "a bad day for rugby. I thought the game had been cleaned up. This was a shambles". Henry is in no doubt who was to blame. "Rugby needs strong discipline from both sets of players. I was proud of the way our players kept theirs."

Note: 09:24

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Shane Williams' 6 tries - British & Irish Lions Tour 2005

Back in 2005, little Shane Williams had a fantastic Six Nations season as part of the Grand Slam winning Welsh team. Based on this form, Williams was subsequently included as a squad member on the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

The little Welshman scored five tries in a midweek game against Manawatu in Palmerston North, contributing the Lions' biggest tour victory in New Zealand to date, with the final score clocking in at 109-6.

Williams scored six tries on the tour in total, skinning Kiwis all over the place with his goose-stepping magic and flat-out pace.

It was a forgettable tour for the Lions when it came to the Tests against the All Blacks unfortunately. The hosts proved too strong in the big games. The mid-week matches against the smaller clubs however proved to be a great showcase of skill, speed, and Shane Williams at this best.

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Famous Simon Shaw run from the Lions Tour 2005

After posting the clip of Andries Bekker manhandling some of the smaller guys, there was a lot of talk about Bekker's height, and in particular, comparing him to big Simon Shaw.

That brought back memories of this great moment from the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

In a midweek game against Manawatu in Palmeston North, the touring side ran riot, running in 17 tries on their way to a 109-6 victory against the smaller provincial side.

After a Shane Williams try that took the score over the half century mark, big England second-rower Simon Shaw took the ball beautifully from the restart, taking off for an inspirational 55m rampage that would see him tackled just short of the line. The ball was presented cleanly for always present teamate Neil Back, who was close at hand to finish off this classic try that was started by the skill and pace of the big man Shaw.

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Nathan Grey smashes Brian O'Driscoll - Lions 2001

Superstar Irishman O'Driscoll gets hammered by Wallaby center Nathan Grey on the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2001.

Massive hit, resulting in the turnover and penalty for the Wallabies.

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Brian O'Driscoll spear tackled 2005

In 2005 the British and Irish Lions Rugby union team toured New Zealand for the first time since 1993, suffering a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of the New Zealand All Blacks.

For the Lions, having toured Australia in 2001 and South Africa in 1997, it was the first time for 22 years they lost every test match on tour.

The squad wasn't helped, of course, by losing their world-class captain less than a minute into the first Test match. It was highly controversial at the time, with accusations being fired back and forth. The guilty party were Tana Umaga & Kevin Mealamu.

Umaga being involved particularly shocked people seeing as he was known to be one of the better behaved players in the game.

The issue resurfaced violently, after someone taping the game from the stands anonymously submitted controversial footage that the stadium's cameras didn't pick up.

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British Lions 1974 infamous '99 Call

The 1974 test series between the Springboks and the British Lions was beset by violence. The management of the Lions concluded that the Springboks dominated their opponents with physical aggression.

At that time, in test matches the referee was from the home nation. There were no video cameras and sideline officials to keep things such as punching, kicking, and head-butting to a minimum.

The Lions decided 'to get their retaliation in first' with the infamous '99 call' (99 is a shortening of 999 which in Britain and Ireland is the phone number for the emergency services such as the police, ambulance or fire brigade).

The idea was that a South African referee would be unlikely to send off all of the Lions if they all retaliated against 'blatant thuggery'.

In the final incident, thats Klippie Kritzinger knocking out the late Gordon Brown.

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Keith Wood shoves a cameraman

Keith Wood has a dirty little secret. In a tour match against the Aussies, playing for the British & Irish Lions, he shoves a TV cameraman on his way off the field.

There is absolutely no explanation for this at first glance. Anyone have any clues as to what brought this on?

Update: Upon closer scrutiny and investigation, it seems as though a a TV cable and some foul play are what provoked the little push.

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Classic Punchups From the Past - Part 1

On this British Lions tour of Australia, the team was pretty infamous for it's aggressive approach, and the odd punch up was never out of the question.

Here you see the scrum halfs having a full go, and everyone else joins in!

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