Lions not extinct in age of professionalism

 
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By TahDan, 30 Jun 2009 TahDan is a Roar Rookie

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Auckland, July 9, 2005. Lions squad during the minutes silence before the British and Irish Lions v All Blacks third test at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand. AAP Image/Geoff Dale

Auckland, July 9, 2005. Lions squad during the minutes silence before the British and Irish Lions v All Blacks third test at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand. AAP Image/Geoff Dale

Another four years, another series defeat to the British and Irish Lions – their third straight. Has the concept now been proven defunct? That’s certainly what today’s Sydney Morning Herald article by Paul Ackford would have you believe.

It’s an argument that has been creeping into rugby circles more and more since the obliteration of the united side from non-continental Europe at the hands of the All Blacks four years ago.

With not only three straight series losses, but sight straight Test losses now looming though, does this mean that we should abandon the Lions?

I say no. Why?

To begin with, let me just state that the Lions tours are one of my favourite events in world rugby. It’s a long held tradition that is truly unique to the sport; offering a festival-like atmosphere which is only rivalled (in rugby terms) by the Rugby World Cup.

In fact, as an Australian, I would go so far as to say I enjoyed the 2001 Lions Tour more than I did our 1999 RWC win – the Lions tour just offered that much.

Furthermore, given the closeness of the contests in this and every other series bar the 2005 All Blacks blitz, I cannot accept that the Lions are already an anachronism that professionalism has rendered unworkable.

In fact, I contend the opposite; that the Lions should logically be MORE and not less tenable in the professional era.

I say this is given the central claim made by Ackford and others are that “to merge four nations with four separate identities, cultures and playing styles is virtually impossible.” He also cites the short amount of time they are given to play together (four weeks in this case South African) and the arduous nature of touring.

There is, of course, some truth to what he proposes. But how can you argue professionalism has exacerbated the problem of mixing players from different backgrounds?

If anything professionalism is a hugely mitigating factor here.

In any case, the reality is that in the case of the Lions you are really generally merging three sides (given the conspicuous lack of Scotsmen and how one side often dominates anyway), and even then you have more Welsh and Irish players (deservedly so) than English.

Onto professionalism, though.

While I think it might be tough mixing a side of, say, Australian and French players, the situation is far less complicated for the home nations.

The Welsh and the Irish clubs play in the Magners League together already, and while the English have the Guinness Premiership all to themselves, they too meet every year at various stages of the Heineken Cup.

Of course, playing in the same competition and playing together are two different things. But again, the advent of professionalism has increased player movements between countries to unprecedented levels. This has resulted in English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish clubs all having numerous foreign players, meaning that top club players find themselves playing along side their 6 Nations adversaries fare more often than was ever witnessed in the amateur era.

Given this, the only damaging effect of professionalism is the lengthy European seasons.

But considering the Lions tours only come about every four years, there’s ample time to prepare the clubs and players for the impact of them, particularly given how emphatically well received they are by the hordes of fans who travel across the globe to see them.

And that’s just it: it’s not just commercially viable, it’s a roaring success (lame pun intended).

Much like the NSW Blues squad, what the current string of losses proves is not that concept has run its course, but rather that the team needs to be better managed.

The Lions had four matches to prepare, while the Springboks had none.

The Lions simply need to decide what type of game they want to play early on and, like any club coach, have the coach get the players to conform to it.

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