Lions Tour
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Topic: Lions Tour
Posted By: Steve@Mose
Subject: Lions Tour
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 13:24
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Cardiff, Twickenham and Wembley as potential Test Match venues. |
Replies:
Posted By: PiffPaff
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 18:27
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hmmmm... not quite sure the good hoteliers/bar owners/restaurateurs and ancillaries of SA will look on letting the Lions play at "Home" as opposed to a postponement to another season so they can get their cut of an estimated 1 Billion Rand (about £50 Million) that the 40-50,000 Lions fans will generate. So possible choices are postpone for a year or let them play in the UK, don't see the Lions again until 2033 if at all again! ------------- Crouch, Bind, Tweet! |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 18:50
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I know it's a few months off yet but do we really need planes flying in from South Africa with yet more possible variants of the virus. We won't get out of this by allowing World travel to continue - pro sport/holidays/business travel whatever. Absolute joke - why are we worried about the Lions when folk are dying by the thousand? There are also wider implications here. Elite sportspeople, popstars, celebs in general - we can carry on regardless The rest of you plebs need to follow the rules. Rita Ora was it, gets caught having a party, issues the mandatory apology then spends her time trying to find out who "Dobbed her in" Footballers break the rules, apologise, but heyho no consequences. You can probably tell I'm working myself up into a frenzy here but it's an absolute effin nonsense!
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 18:59
No flights from Sth Africa allowed at present. Personally, I don't see the point of Lions playing at home, better to postpone it - although 2033 is a tad pessimistic ------------- RAID ON |
Thatbloke wrote:Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 19:02
| 2033 - Freudian slip?? 😂😂 |
Posted By: kingsheathlad
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 20:43
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Australia and New Zealand before South Africa in 2033 I think.
------------- Cauliflower ear. |
Posted By: MikeGC
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2021 at 10:08
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Delaying the Lions for a year won’t be popular with the unions. I think Brian Moore said in an article that players suffer loss of form etc. for a year post tour. That would impinge directly on the next World Cup. If they can’t/won’t/shouldn’t go to South Africa then in my opinion, the tour should be cancelled or at least deferred until the next Lions cycle. |
Posted By: Mistral
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2021 at 10:42
| If SA a no go get the Lions back to New Zealand and finish the job from the last series?😁 |
Posted By: PiffPaff
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2021 at 10:42
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Sorry should have made it clear 2033 is the next time the Lions should visit SA after this year. ------------- Crouch, Bind, Tweet! |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2021 at 11:44
agree MGC - delay to 2022 almost certainly so unpopular with Home Unions (and English clubs, and also Aus/NZ due to host Eng/Ire at that time) that they'd decline to release players... looks very challenging to go to SA this July & things would have to improve pretty rapidly in UK to stage it here at that time, so yes, I'm thinking 2024 or 2025 might be necessary. But with the Lions' name/brand/tradition/ethos/magic/influence/significance (delete as applicable) waning - I hate to say that but regret it's true - could they survive a 7/8 year absence? lot of money riding on all this, maybe that will somehow lead to a solution being found - that's as optimistic as I can manage right now
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2021 at 14:05
Possibly more to the point, SARU may well go broke without money from the Lions tour. If the tour is cancelled and not rearranged for 2022 would it be an idea to put the cycle back 4 years so the tours remain in sequence but 4 years behind? ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: RedPete
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2021 at 11:03
That seems a sensible and fair solution. ------------- Compassion for the conned, contempt for the conmen. |
Posted By: Pappashanga
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2021 at 11:16
Maybe they should play somewhere neutral, like Dubai  ------------- pappashanga |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2021 at 11:59
Really, there have been numerous people returning from Dubai who have contracted the virus. Also playing elsewhere does nothing to address the financial problems SARU face if there are no crowds. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Pappashanga
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2021 at 12:01
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It's rife everywhere at the moment. I can see the tour being postponed. ------------- pappashanga |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2021 at 21:16
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I hope not. All this hypothetical speculation from the media isn't helpful. It is possible to do it at the worst case scenario. At the extreme end you could just require those on the official Lions tour to get a negative test or vaccine certificate before getting on the plane, have specific hotels with specific isolated excursions every day, sit all Lions fans together in a stadium (like football , though I know the thought of that will be sickening to all) and have designated Lions pubs. It will be possible providing we have the support of the South African government. |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2021 at 21:22
| Possible maybe but on reflection I'll be giving that one a miss - vaccinated or not! |
Posted By: kempstonblue
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2021 at 00:22
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Off topic A couple of years ago, it was suggested a Ladies Lions team be formed. If the men play in the British Isles, maybe the brand could be launched here. Not sure if opposition would be ready though, think suggestion of USA and Canada. Maybe two tests in Wales and Ireland? ------------- The older I get, the more the RFU leave me confused. |
Posted By: Scrumtime
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2021 at 07:55
Sorry but have you not seen the news in the last month? South Africa have a new strain of this thats twice as bad as ours according to UK Gov. Hence why we have stopped travel to and from SA at present. Don't you think that 20k supporters might, just might pick it up at some stage, in whatever bar or hotel or complex they are staying in? Or even attending games, or are all the staff at events going to be British as well? When I last looked nobody under 45 was in line to have the vaccine before July if they were fit and healthy. Or do we just jump them to the front of the line because they want to get on a plane to SA to watch rugby Very sorry but what a stupid suggestion....... |
Posted By: Fly Half
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2021 at 08:56
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South Africa is in total crisis,their health system is nearing collapse,travel is banned and yet all a few half wits want is for thousands of brits to travel their(and return) so they can watch a game of rugby.Ofcourse,the govt should assist in sending brits there and ofcourse,its the govts fault when they return with the virus and its no doubt the govts fault for overwhelming the SA health service. |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2021 at 15:46
Coming up with solutions at least. If people are prepared to take the chance allow them. But don't you think that if the SA government supports something like that, they'll have the staff tested and bubbled up too?
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2021 at 16:42
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It doesn't really matter does it - the Lions is the experience of the TOUR for the players and the Tens of Thousands of supporters that follow them contributing a lot of money to the local economy. Without a full house of supporters it is a total non-runner - so the only solution is to postpone for a year. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: dropout22
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2021 at 16:43
| I'd suggest 2022 may be the leading runner. |
Posted By: PiffPaff
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2021 at 17:19
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Doubt it, World Cup in 2023. They should bump the Tours down the order. So... 2025 SA 2029 Aus 2033 NZ ------------- Crouch, Bind, Tweet! |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2021 at 19:41
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I did wonder if you could push the World Cup back - but it is in
France so pushing it back would clash with the Olympic so that is not
on. But without the income from the Lions
SARU could go broke. Playing without fans would generate much less money
- and at the moment it is not clear there could be any travel between
UK and SA - even elite athletes. If they
did go broke SA would either not send a team to the World Cup - or
possibly send a much weaker amateur team. The IRB and FFR need the RWC
money. There is more hope that enough people will have been vaccinated
before the RWC - but even that is not definitely going to have happened. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 09:44
100% agree Sid - this should be a banner fixed to the top of the home page...
I agree the above scenario may well be the best (least-worst really) in all the circumstances.
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Posted By: Bigmal
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 11:08
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Talk of the Olympics being cancelled in todays papers so chances of tour to SA non existent IMHO.
Problems as well with the Euro competitions so Mhazelnutille in May has to be extremely doubtful. I still think that the Lions is a strange concept in the professional world occupied by rugby across the globe. I know all about tradition but isnt it time to sit down and talk sensibly about the structure of the game world wide.
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Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 11:27
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The Lions are not about tradition, but all about money. The Lions tour generates a lot of money. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: Bigmal
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 16:41
Precisely.
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Posted By: Richard Lowther
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 17:52
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Stick to the rugby and not conspiracy theories.
I've deleted some posts which are veering off topic. ------------- Moderator http://www.leaguerugby.co.uk" rel="nofollow - National League Rugby Message Boards Remember Wakefield RFC |
Posted By: MikeGC
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 09:51
. and possibly money for Australia https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jan/31/rugby-union-australia-british-irish-lions-south-africa?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other" rel="nofollow - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jan/31/rugby-union-australia-british-irish-lions-south-africa?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other |
Posted By: Bigmal
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 10:26
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I'm really surprised the Aussies are so keen to risk hosting major sporting events given the need for people to travel 1000s of miles to get there.
Can they really expect crowds to self isolate even with 50 % capacity? I get my jab this week with a second probably late April - would I travel within Europe ? Probably. Would I travel long haul ?? NO - EVEN ASSUMING TRAVEL IS ALLOWED.
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Posted By: Count Ford
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 11:18
| Reading between the lines it sounds like they will try and fill stadiums with people already in Australia. I doubt that any travelling fans will be allowed in |
Posted By: Bigmal
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 13:26
| Not from Perth though? |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 13:30
As I said on the other thread, it's getting harder to plot a course for the Lions with at least half a dozen options floating around:
All have some snags, some are looking moreorless impossible at this stage (I'd put 1 and 6 into that category). Australian option could be split into a) fans from everywhere; b) only fans resident in Australia; and c) no fans at all. There'd be no point in c) and I'd say a) was highly unlikely... What a g'an on, as my Granny used to say...
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Posted By: Monkey Boy
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 14:51
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Australia aren’t going to let anybody travel. Please be sensible
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Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 16:40
Including sportspeople? They’ve let the Indian cricket team & several hundred tennis players in over past 2 months. If you mean supporters then you’re probably right...
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Posted By: Monkey Boy
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 20:01
Supporters
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Posted By: French Connection
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2021 at 11:18
| Those of you who thin k that the Lions is all about money possibly haven't spoken to any player who has been on a Lions tour. I mean actually speak privately in person and not read what they say for the press. Virtually every single one will tell you that it was the highlight of their rugby lives bar nothing. There's no doubt that money is made, especially for the hosting unions, but for the players it's the apex of their ambition. The tradition is mighty, and the players are well aware of that. |
Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2021 at 14:52
Exactly.
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Posted By: No 7
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2021 at 16:44
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It is the best players from four powerful rugby union countries in their own right . It is highest accolade in rugby union. I cannot think of any other sporting team that comes near especially considering they only tour away on the oppositions patch.
------------- Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2021 at 18:53
I don't doubt that, long may it stay that way. Not sure what this means in terms of what should happen regarding the Tour scheduled for this summer... ie which of the various options would suitably reflect how important the Lions is to players (as well as ticking the box marked money which I'm afraid is part-and-parcel of modern pro sport)
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Posted By: French Connection
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 09:37
| I don't think that there's much hope or possibility at all of the tour going ahead, and correctly so. A very small price to pay for getting the world out of the horrendous situation we're in. |
Posted By: dwinpenn
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 20:00
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Lions tours without tens of thousands of home nation supporters touring with them isn't a Lions tour nowadays. I fear that if the Lions go ahead by moving it to Australia then it will be the end of the Lions within a couple of tours. I struggle to understand how those who make the decisions seem blind to the power of the supporter in this discussion. ------------- Dave Winpenny "Confused and old" |
Posted By: MikeGC
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2021 at 09:34
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When people up the thread mentioned money, I strongly suspect that they didn’t have any players in mind. However, the Home Unions "Blazerati" will have their snouts firmly in the trough. The players share hotel rooms, which are of a decent standard, likewise the coaches/physios, etc. The "Blazerati" travel first class and stay 5 star alone or with Mrs Blazerati. And, obviously, the monetary value to the hosting Union is vitally important. |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2021 at 13:36
| The Aussie proposal is shear opportunism and I think we can thank the Blazerati of the Lions for quickly telling them where to go and to wait their turn. I still think we still have a chance by the fact SA opened up the pubs with falling numbers and vaccinations starting up. In spite of all the doommoungers, that slight glimmer of hope is still there. |
Posted By: Golden Jackal
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2021 at 14:03
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Ref Australia hosting....restrictions on supporters travelling may well apply, but there are many thousands of ex pats that would happily fill the stadiums....even Perth! |
Posted By: sidelined
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2021 at 12:28
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Just out if interest, why does the tour have to be against one of the three Southern Hemisphere sides? Why not a 3 match series against, for sake of argument, France?
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2021 at 12:37
Presumably because when the Lions first formed France weren't any good. Why not Italy? Also it would be a bit like a day trip unlike the tours of the Southern Hemisphere. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2021 at 14:18
Oh no. You can't have the French. Wrong sort for a tour. The coming together of the British Isles is supposed to be a big event, you just cross the channel there's no spectacle and it's just dull playing a side you play over there every 2 years.
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Posted By: PiffPaff
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2021 at 15:58
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The Lions use to Tour Argentina back in the day, however I think the Argies are mirroring our CV-19 rates so hardly a respite option. ------------- Crouch, Bind, Tweet! |
Posted By: kingsheathlad
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2021 at 17:37
The BBC article today about the death of Dave Egerton said he played for British Lions in 1989 against France. I cannot recall any game between Lions and France.? ------------- Cauliflower ear. |
Posted By: PiffPaff
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2021 at 18:42
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He did as art of the celebrations for the Bicentennial of the French Revolution. ------------- Crouch, Bind, Tweet! |
Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2021 at 15:32
Who won?
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Posted By: South of Tyne
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2021 at 15:49
| Lions 27 - 29 |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2021 at 21:13
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So we were told that a decision was imminent, but everything seems a bit fluid during Covid-19 which I guess isn't a surprise. (I was led to believe a decision on the Championship was imminent in October!) Anyway, the Fun Bus has broken his silence in today's Torygraph... Jason Leonard, chairman of the British and Irish Lions, says the board remains committed to staging a “traditional tour of South Africa” this summer but may have to wait up to two months to make a final decision on whether that is possible because of the pandemic restrictions. The Lions board had been expected to make a final decision on the future of the tour by mid-February but Leonard said the board were determined to delay the decision as late as possible in order to get “the best possible solution” based on the latest information. Contingency plans to stage the series in the UK and Ireland have also been progressing, while Australia have also offered to host the tour that is scheduled for July and August, while if the tour goes ahead to South Africa as scheduled the matches may have to be behind closed doors. Leonard, capped five times for the Lions across three tours, 1993, 1997 and 2001, said the board were still progressing with their plans and were in constant dialogue with all their stakeholders. “It is all fluid, there could be a decision in one next week, there could be one in four, six or eight weeks’ time,” said Leonard, speaking at the relaunch of the Front Row Club, a fundraising platform for his charity The Atlas Foundation. “There is nothing on the table at this moment in time where we are saying ‘this is what we need to do’. “We are still working with all involved to give ourselves the best option of hopefully trying to provide a traditional Lions tour – at least as much as a traditional Lions tour as we possibly can. Obviously it is not a traditional year so a traditional Lions tour could well be impossible to deliver." As for whether he had a preference to whether the tour should go ahead if it meant playing matches behind closed doors, or switching the series to the UK and Ireland, Leonard added: “You can’t discuss an option in isolation because then that is a little bit misleading. “I think from all concerned, until someone tells us, it is not on, you want to deliver a tour in South Africa this summer. “That might be taken away from us. I don’t have a crystal ball. All the other options, which are great options, we have got to go through them. If that is not available, then what would the alternative be? “We still don’t know the answer. Let’s just say, the borders are shut again? The players might not be able to get into the country. We can only work with where we are at this moment in time on the information that we have got. “Everyone is working so hard from all parties to see what is there. At the end of the day we are all striving to see what would possibly be the best solution. We will do whatever it takes.” Leonard is all too aware of what the tour means to South Africa, having set up his Atlas Foundation five years ago to help impoverished and deprived children around the world, including the townships in Cape Town. “I had a great life travelling around the world with rugby and was lucky enough to go to some of the most beautiful places in the world, but even some of the most beautiful places around the world have slums - go to Cape Town or Buenos Aires - beautiful places, but go a couple of miles out of town and there are all the shanty towns and slums,” Leonard added. “So I created Atlas to help deprived children in some of the poorest places in the world and use rugby’s values – respect, trust and team-work – to help kids improve their lives. “Because 2020 was such a tough year for all charities we have looked at how we can raise funds for our fight against child poverty Front Row club is an online clubhouse for members and we have prize draws and competitions with rugby content, including rugby champions such as Maro Itoje, Maggie Alphonsi and John Smit who are all contributing to it. “At this moment at time, these children need help more than ever. Over the last five years, we have provided things like coaches, pitches and doctors but it has now morphed into feeding programmes because people in the slums can’t go out and work because of the lockdown programme and how do they feed their families? “So our coaches who normally coach in our projects have been providing food packages for kids and families in South Africa, Argentina and Kenya.” |
Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2021 at 12:20
No I meant the French Revolution  (Sorry!)
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Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2021 at 12:50
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Its too soon to say ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2021 at 21:29
| No news is good news is my view. |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2021 at 09:05
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Lions' scoop from local paper in Jersey... also picked up by the Grauniad https://jerseyeveningpost.com/sport/rugby/2021/02/26/british-irish-lions-could-use-jersey-as-training-base-this-summer/" rel="nofollow - LINK
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2021 at 14:06
Read that today in Telegraph sports pages. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2021 at 14:49
Yes - lots of national papers have picked up on it.
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Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2021 at 10:00
| http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56302433" rel="nofollow - Australia's offer to host tour is turned down |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2021 at 12:29
Rightfully so, it was sheer opportunism. They can wait their turn. It's only 4 more years for them to wait.
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Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2021 at 16:21
| Just been confirmed tour goes ahead as planned in South Africa |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2021 at 16:23
| Good news then. Tradition and common sense upheld. |
Posted By: Donnyknightfan
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2021 at 16:47
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I’m all for the tour going ahead in South Africa but if there are no crowds It just spoils it totally for me. It’s just reduced to another soulless sporting event. I’m lucky enough to have been to SA in 2009 and the atmosphere at a Lions test is different to any other rugby occasion, it’s electric. The crowds are a massive part of what makes the Lions so unique. I just feel that this decision has been primarily made for monetary purposes and not for what is in the best interest of the Lions brand. ------------- Donny Knights - best team in Yorkshire |
Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2021 at 17:39
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Official announcement:
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Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2021 at 20:46
The 'monetary purposes' charge makes the game sound grubby, but unfortunately money is a key factor in the pro game, especially now after the ravaging caused by Covid. What would be the 'best interest' decision have been DKF?
Money would play a part in any of the three options above... Personally I think playing at home would have been the least worst option.
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Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2021 at 18:53
| http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56524890" rel="nofollow - British and Irish Lions tour 'not insured' if cancelled - WRU chief Phillips |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2021 at 22:07
Yet they insured the fans....
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Posted By: Monkey Boy
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2021 at 22:52
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There’s no chance of fans from the UK. It’s the South African variant that the UK government is so worried about being in France so actual South Africa simply isn’t happening
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Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2021 at 17:27
Let's wait and see how things turn out: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56593958" rel="nofollow - Proposals for return of fans to be taken to South African government
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Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2021 at 11:29
| Looking good, just a little more patience and hope that the SA Government can make the right choice to allow us to go. |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2021 at 11:51
| I'm not sure allowing fans to travel from the UK would be the "right decision" - in fact it's more likely to be absolutely the wrong one! |
Posted By: OldNick
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2021 at 15:56
They could be allowed to go. Just not to come back.
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Posted By: donnyladinsheffield
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2021 at 18:15
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Nothing I have seen suggests it will be away supporters, just supporters. But I have only seen press reports. Does anyone know what the SAFRU proposal is? I would be surprised if they are asking for more than home fans only. ------------- He's alright and he don't care; He's got thermal underwear |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2021 at 20:44
The Lions put out the offer to defer to the supporters today. I'm guessing so they know the numbers who are willing to go so they can tell SA in order to make a decision.
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Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2021 at 11:54
British and Irish Lions choose JerseyBy https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/authors/jason-fox/" rel="nofollow - Jason Fox https://jerseyeveningpost.com/sport/rugby/" rel="nofollow - Rugby Published: Last Updated: WARREN GATLAND has sung Jersey’s praises after naming the Island as his top pick for the British and Irish Lions’ 2021 pre-tour training camp.  The head coach confirmed his preparation plans for this summer’s series alongside the unveiling of his coaching staff – a decision that is set to bring arguably one of the most high-profile teams in world sport across the Channel for at least ten days in June. Gatland visited the Island in February to inspect local sports facilities and accommodation, including Strive, the new performance centre and health club which is due to open in St Peter next month. At that stage Jersey was on a shortlist of contenders to act as the squad’s training base, but speculation now appears to have been put to rest. It is understood that the Lions, who will arrive on or just after 13 June, will fly direct from Jersey to Edinburgh at the end of their stay to play a pre-tour friendly against Japan at Murrayfield. ‘It’s something we hadn’t thought about originally but there was an approach from Jersey and now official confirmation from the government and we’re now definitely looking to go there,’ Gatland said. ‘The gym facility next to the rugby club [Strive] is outstanding and it fits our needs well. ‘We understand we may need to quarantine for a certain amount of time but there’s a potential for almost normality in Jersey in preparation for that first game against Japan, before we go into a pretty secure bubble for South Africa. That’s definitely one of the factors we considered for Jersey.’ It is believed that further talks will take place this week, featuring the Lions’ medical staff and key advisors. 'I, like everyone else, will be doing my bit to ensure we have a safe and secure environment,' Gatland added. ‘We’re hoping before we go on tour to have everyone in the touring party vaccinated. We’re working towards that and we feel it will be important to have that in place.' Strive director Ben Harvey, who instigated initial discussions between Gatland and the Government of Jersey, says the facility will be well-equipped to help the players fine-tune before the tour – particularly with two of the Tests against the Springboks due to take place at altitude in Johannesburg. ‘It may well be that to get a bit of an advantage the coaches will take them to altitude and our altitude chamber will be able to replicate the sort of work required at that level,’ Harvey explained. ------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2021 at 13:51
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56731932" rel="nofollow - English may miss out but more Scots on trip hints Gatland
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Posted By: Halliford
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2021 at 14:06
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Big thanks to Premiership Rugby Ltd for ensuring that international players with Premiership Clubs won't be inconvenienced by having to fly to South Africa this summer, leaving them fresh for the new Premiership season! Why won't PRL recognise that Internationals and Lions Tours are the pinnacle of the game, not the English Premiership?
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Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2021 at 14:52
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Itoje does nto play for a premiership club. Who else in Eddie's motley crew did enough to earn a red shirt. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: Mark W-J
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2021 at 15:19
But he does play for a club who are regulated by Premiership Rugby Ltd.
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Posted By: Halliford
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2021 at 16:15
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It doesn't just apply to Eddie's motley crew - any player contracted to a Premiership Club has a lesser chance of selection because of PRL's attitude. Stewart Hogg, Dan Biggar, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, James Lang, Sean Maitland, Jonny Gray, Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins. Wildcards like Sam Simmons, Marcus Smith, Danny Care are also caught.
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2021 at 20:18
Half those you name wouldn't be going anyway ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Halliford
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2021 at 23:02
Unless you are Warren Gatland in disguise you don’t know that!
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Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2021 at 00:46
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/apr/14/lions-and-premiership-clubs-at-loggerheads-over-player-release" rel="nofollow - Lions and Premiership clubs at loggerheads over player release
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Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2021 at 13:40
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56902920" rel="nofollow - Premiership players to be released for Japan game
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56902862" rel="nofollow - Joe Launchbury: Wasps lock to miss British and Irish Lions tour with knee injury
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Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2021 at 13:38
| http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56913566" rel="nofollow - George North: Wales back ruled out of British and Irish Lions tour with knee injury |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2021 at 16:08
Proof that money men not rugby men run the top English clubs nowadays.
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Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 06 May 2021 at 12:49
| Not surprised at all by that captain pick |
Posted By: FHLH
Date Posted: 06 May 2021 at 13:06
but would he be selected on skill? Same with Sam W trade off between political nous and playing skills ------------- "My father told me big men fall just as quick as little ones, if you put a sword through their hearts." |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 06 May 2021 at 13:59
Sam W was apparently told he was tour captain in 2017 and would need to command a place in the test XV, which he then went on to do - I guess the same may apply to AWJ?
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Posted By: Halliford
Date Posted: 06 May 2021 at 15:18
| Looking back at the 6 Nations AWJ earned his place on the long list as a player. His captaincy skills and political nous are a great added bonus. He is highly respected by all the players in the 6 Nations squads. |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 06 May 2021 at 15:20
You'd think so, but given Gatland seems to love AWJ, I wouldn't be surprised if he's a guaranteed starter in the test team.
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Posted By: FHLH
Date Posted: 06 May 2021 at 17:02
I agree. Certainly a starter but SA will be tough so possibly only 50 min then replaced ------------- "My father told me big men fall just as quick as little ones, if you put a sword through their hearts." |
Posted By: tulip
Date Posted: 06 May 2021 at 18:03
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With Courtenay Lawes who has hardly played and Jonny Hills who I think was dropped by England I think AWJ is a shoe in
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Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 09 May 2021 at 17:24
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https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/jsy/news/islander-charlotte-has-special-reason-roar-lions/#.YJgLPYeSncs" rel="nofollow - Islander has special reason to roar on the Lions | Bailiwick Express
Nice St Ouen connection. ------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 12 May 2021 at 21:03
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57090062" rel="nofollow - Japan warm-up Test will be on terrestrial television
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Posted By: Steve@Mose
Date Posted: 19 May 2021 at 13:38
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57170632" rel="nofollow - Japan match at Murrayfield set to have 16,500 spectators
Hopefully.
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