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While watching a recent Super Rugby matchup I was almost killed in a freak half time accident. It involved an ad promoting the coming Lions tour, Fox sports hype guy Greg Martin and a Portuguese flavoured chicken bone.
The advertisement in question has the Fox Sports commentary team excitedly spruiking the anticipated series with descriptions of how rare and special a Lions tour is.
Greg Clarke and Phil Kearns do a good job in selling the occasion to chicken munching couch potatoes such as yours truly.
But as I attempted to take another bite out of a delicious wing, it was Greg Martin’s turn to ramp up the promotion by saying: ‘they (the Lions) are the finest team in the world, that includes the All Blacks and everyone’
The sheer breathless hyperbole of the statement caused me to misjudge my munch and a rogue phalange slide part way down my throat.
For one to metaphorically choke on a Greg Martin statement is not unusual but this was far too literal for my liking.
As I extracted the peri peri laden assailant I angrily determined that the next time I place anything in my mouth while Greg Martin is talking is the time I have an expert on hand to perform the Heimlich maneuver.
Like the biblical Goliath, Martin’s statement seems to allude to an inherent belief that the British and Irish Lions are a team of superior quality who have a history of results that back up their formidable reputation.
To be fair to Martin he may be referring specifically to this Lions squad when he uses terms like ‘finest’, ‘in the world’ and ‘Lions’ together in close proximity.
But hyperbolic descriptions of a Lions team yet to play a test are assumptions that count for nothing where a two horse race has this much on the line, just ask the biblical David.
Martin’s statement does beg the questions; just how good should we expect this Lions squad to be? And is their reputation one borne out of tradition rather than results?
This Lions team is undoubtedly formidable on paper, particularly in that most traditional of Northern strengths; the tight five.
They even have dangerous backs like Manu Tuilagi and Irishman Tommy Bowe which may lead to an expansive game, something that would have been akin to reinventing the wheel for past Lions teams.
Gatland has chosen a Welsh heavy squad, not entirely unforeseen as they are the reigning 2 time 6 nations champions and Gatland is their coach.
They are the talented teachers pets, so to speak.
Lions squads are often top heavy with in form players from the home unions best 6 nations side, a selection policy that goes some way to alleviating concerns of team cohesion, the biggest stumbling block for any Lions touring party.
Indeed Gatland has himself been at the forefront of the inevitable questions and controversies that seem to rear their mischievous heads on every Lions tour.
Recently English noses were put out of joint when Gatland appeared to reason that having too many Englishman would lead to unwanted distractions and effect team harmony and discipline.
The English press have been subtly doubting Gatland decisions ever since, and you get a sneaking suspicion there is the willingness to hope for a Lions defeat in some English eyes.
But there is also the equally inevitable British cockiness shining through in headlines like this; ‘Former Lion Greenwood claims Gatland’s team face an easier challenge in Australia than New Zealand or South Africa Overconfidence and pressure building like this won’t exactly enamor the British press to their kiwi coach.
The Lions kick off their tour with a dangerously lucrative game against the barbarians in Hong Kong this afternoon. Far from being a match that could build a reputation, it really only affords an opportunity for injury and dented pride.
For all the history and histrionics surrounding a tour by ‘the finest team’ in the world this Lions squad, just like its modern predecessors, will have its work cut out in molding itself into a cohesive and effective pride.
Greg Martin and others may assume the Lions to be the ‘finest team’, but before an assumption can become reality there must be proof displayed and questions answered.
For the Lions that task begins today.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.