Hits and misses of the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour
by Mick Cleary | 03 July 2009 (08:06)
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| O'Connell & Smit © Gallo Images |
From Mick Cleary, rugby correspondent, The Daily Telegraph.
A roundup of the highlights and lowlights of Mick's trip to South Africa with the British Lions.
Hits
1) The Springboks. To the victors the spoils. Well-deserved.
2) The Lions. They came, they challenged, they restored pride in the shirt and credibility in the concept, and they damned near pulled it off
3) The fans. Without them, the backdrop would be routine, the contest run-of-the-mill. They - Brits, Irish and South African – made it special
4) John Smit – hell of a captain. He has real presence. The whole thing would collapse if it weren't for him.
5) Brian O'Driscoll. Should he have been captain? Good question. He was certainly the focal point on the field, a player of energy, defiance and class, as the Lions are about to find out in the third test. They will be nothing like the same without him.
6) The Indian Ocean. What a way to start the day in Durban. Run, sweat, swim, down to work. It kinda grows on you.
7) The South African media operation. The lovely Leigh, the unflappable Andy, the laid-back dude Malcolm and the ever-obliging Rayaan catered for our every need with charm, with style, with fragrance and with super efficiency. We're a bunch of prima donnas in the media but they didn't let us get away with it. Put them in charge of the FIFA 2010 World Cup and it will go like clockwork.
8) Morne Steyn. He nailed it, man
9) Gerald Davies. Is there a more urbane man out there in the world of rugby? Hats off also to Ian McGeechan, the ultimate Lion. He has made the players relish the experience. Some of them will be back. Geech won't. Pity.
10) South Africa. This is my eighth trip here. I've felt more at ease, more welcome, and touching every piece of wood available, safer than ever before
Misses
1) Peter de Villiers. The man has let down himself, his team and his country with some of his comments.
2) Cape Town weather. I know. I know. It's winter, but even so.
3) Biltong. I graciously accepted great lumps of it from fans around me at Loftus. I'm just too polite.
4) Cars. I thought there was a recession on. There's no evidence of an economic downturn out there on the roads.
5) Ronan O'Gara. Great competitor, engaging bloke but he stuffed up.
6) Schalk Burger and the judicial officer. Crazy act, daft verdict. How that is not gouging is beyond me.
7) The citing officer and judicial officer who caused Bakkies Botha to cop a two-week ban. Harsh, far too harsh. They're emasculating the game
8) The South African union's pricing policy. Prices were too high, attendances too low and the whole tour was undermined.
9) The Springboks. Why didn't you play against the Lions in the warm-up games? Not your fault, of course, but it would have been nice to see more of you. I imagine you felt the same
10) Castle lager. I don't like it and I can assure you it doesn't like me.
Until the next time.
To read more of Mick Cleary go to www.telegraph.co.ukRead more on the British & Irish Lions page.
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