Comments on: First impressions: British & Irish Lions tour

By: Steve Van Zandt

Steve Van Zandt — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:49:30 +0000

Steve Van Zandt…

[…]Sports Leader » Tony McKeever » First impressions: British & Irish Lions tour[…]…

By: Tony McKeever

Tony McKeever — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:39:58 +0000

DAVID - South African rugby is really strong and there are 5 players for each position that would acquit themselves at National level - the issue really is teamwork and team spirit.

The Blue Bulls showed team spirit in the S14 final against the Chiefs and it is a race now for the British & Irish Lions and the Springboks to hit the straps with the equivalent team spirit.

The Lions have 3 great warm up games (Sharks, Western Province & Southern Kings) to sharpen their claws while the Springboks are on the training pitch.

They might have the talent, but will they have the team spirit?

It is not enough to develop team spirit around the fact that you are playing the Lions and that they come around only every 12 years. One needs fire & brimstone team spirit - Do or Die.

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By: David

David — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:41:06 +0000

I also think SA rugby is too strong at the moment.
The issue about using Northern Rules instead of the ELV’s may impact. I still expect a Bok victory but the Lions have a way of upsetting the Boks.

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By: » Ireland women’s national rugby union team ireland team

» Ireland women’s national rugby union team ireland team — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:52:48 +0000

[…] Sports Leader » Tony McKeever » First impressions: British & Irish … […]

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By: Tony McKeever

Tony McKeever — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:12:29 +0000

Andy - Thanks for visiting. This afternoon will be a litmus test upfront and then the next 4 games against the Cheetahs, Sharks, Western Province & Southern Kings are perfectly timed before the 20th June Test against the “Bokkies” you refer to as it gives Iam McGeechan a great perspective of the various strengths of the South African teams.

What a shame there are only 3 Tests and not Five. That now would be a great Test Series.

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By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 08:10:52 +0000

What a gracious blog - not what we Brits expect from you Bokkies. It is good to see that the Lions haven’t been witten off by all of you as the 1997 lot were. Having said that - even after the inpressive hammering of an underpowered Golden Lions I expect you lot to beat us in the tests - 2 losses 1 draw. It pains me to say it - you are too good for us - but I thought that in 1997. Lets hope for good rugby and a memorable series.

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By: Tony McKeever

Tony McKeever — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:11:31 +0000

Craig - What Ian McGeechan has accomplished for the B&I Lions is a potent, make it very potent, team spirit.

It is almost equivalent to the Blue Bulls team spirit that you witnessed a week ago - DEADLY.

I am sure we will see the same fusion of skills and team spirit tomorrow and then they have another 4 games to go before the Test against the Springboks.

That now will be a contest of teams and live up to everything that the Lions Tours are famous for.

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By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:21:50 +0000

All the planning and image dissemination in the world won’t help the Lions against our Bokke. They just don’t have the players up front to secure them enough ball.
Even the babbling nonsense that typifies PdV’s approach to the game and his selection “criteria” will not be enough to help them.
As the very astute Naas Botha always says - ” You can’t score tries if you don’t have the ball ”
Go Bokke!

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