In other words you should never underestimate the work that everyone has put in to make the tour successful. That even a guy like Nick Beal, who was unfortunate not to be in the 21 for a Test match, was just as much part of the tour’s success as someone like Matt Dawson was. To the punter watching this wasn’t the case, obviously, but to those involved it most definitely was.Competition was hot too, such that though some positions in the side were more or less set in stone, quite a few were up for grabs and the tussle for places immense. Indeed, some would argue that there was not much to choose between the midweek and Test sides, such was the depth of talent in the squad.To complete the make-up of that squad I would add good humour and a hard work ethic. Characters abounded and were invaluable when morale was low, which thankfully was not too often. In fact they ended up just keeping the whole machine ticking smoothly along. The jokers of the pack, John Bentley, Keith Wood and Alan Tait; the quirky, Rob Wainwright and his falconry; the scary, Tom Smith and his sleep-walking.
Good luck to his “roomies” on tour.The moment that encapsulated for me just how well the squad were functioning was near the end of the tour, when the midweek team went to play Orange Free State. They were the Currie Cup champions and the 21 had to fly up there on the morning of the game while the Test team, triumphant in Cape Town, recovered in Durban in preparation for the second Test. Winning teams do not get changed much, and for this 21 any hopes of appearing in a Test match appeared slim, especially after such an historic win. Heads could have dropped, especially on the flight over the Drakensburg to Bloemfontein, which in itself should have put me off a career in flying.
However, on a cold, starry night in the heart of Boer country, after a stirring pep talk from Jim Telfer which would have put William Wallace to shame, the Lions were breathtaking.In fact, it was probably the best rugby of the tour. We wanted that Test place badly and the message was clear to the selectors: keep thinking. Moreover, it kept the tour on a positive note and put another nail into the South African psyche. The second and series- clinching win in Durban must give tribute, no matter how small, to that win in Free State.Things change, the game has moved on, another party assembles and the 2001 Lions must establish their own identity.
An ethos and spirit which encapsulates the personalities of this tour party alone. However, Martin Johnson and Graham Henry will have tried to take lessons from the ‘97 tour and the ingredients of ownership, competition, good humour and hard work must be at the forefront of their minds.The challenge they now face is to bring these and many more facets to the fore. Judging from reports, learning a musical instrument and performing in front of their peers is just one thing they are trying. Jason Leonard with a piccolo, now there’s a thought! A positive, though painful, step. Let’s hope they can create some harmony in their paid jobs.Tony Underwood, the former England wing, played in the second Test on the 1997 tour, and is now an airline pilot. John Connolly is a typical Aussie: engaging, pragmatic and, most pertinently, brutally honest.
“Of course the Lions are strong,” says the Stade Fran?s coach. “You’d expect the best team in the northern hemisphere to be. But don’t underestimate the home side.”
John Connolly is a typical Aussie: engaging, pragmatic and, most pertinently, brutally honest. “Of course the Lions are strong,” says the Stade Fran?s coach. “You’d expect the best team in the northern hemisphere to be. But don’t underestimate the home side.”
The Lions will surely be prudent. Rod Maqueen’s men are, after all, world champions, Tri-Nations champions and, in the case of the 13 ACT Brumbies players, Super 12 champions as well.
