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.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
And yet Graham Henry said that being a Lions coach is the hardest coaching job in rugby union. Methinks you oversimplify somewhat.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
I assume he made the comments on the basis that he thinks the Lions have a good chance of winning, just like in 2009 the UK media was very sceptical of the chances of success. I agree with him. And if the Wallabies will garner any motivation from that then they obviously haven't been paying much attention to their recent performances.
Hal
Guest
I think the scriptwriter left out the word 'should'. The lions should be better than the AB's etc. Even then, that's debatable although I would think that between the top 4 2nd tier rugby nations they could at least manage to be competitive. However, 2 wins from their last 9 games says otherwise.
mattocks
Guest
I watched the lions - barbarians game last night. The barbarians were easily beaten and looked a bit disinterested in the whole affair except for a couple of guys. Joe Rokocoko being an exception. Maybe the heat and humidity did for them. But my main point of posting is regarding the commentators of whose names I don't really recall except for Barnes being one of them. But on the subject of hyperbole they would take first prize, pretty much every Lions player they spoke about is a superhero and the greatest player we've ever heard of. Not to say they aren't good players, they are, but wow, just listening to them last night I thought we should just hand the lions the trophy now as according to these guys the greatest players on earth are about to descend on our doorsteps. I'm looking forward to the series and going to the two melbourne games, hopefully it lives up to the hype.
Upfromdown
Guest
Maybe you reflect the misinformed NH view Ben? But in all seriousness there is plenty of rubbish from both teams these days - especially in a Real tour with 6/7 weeks and 10 games to play - but the players and coaches generally are polite, respectful and pay due respect. They realise that the reality is the series can go either way and it is important for the game they act as above. Greenwood, like Greg Martin or Phil Kearns, is passionate about his team/s and wears his heart on his sleeve. Even more so as he has been there done that and it is hard to keep neutral and measured - just like all of us watching from the sidelines wishing it was us.
FTR
Guest
"which may lead to an expansive game, something that would have been akin to reinventing the wheel for past Lions teams". This is stunningly ignorant. Read up on the 1971 Lions. They taught the New Zealanders how to play rugby.
Blackness
Guest
Isn't it a swum over there??
jus de couchon
Guest
It might be a way forward if Fox [or whoever sky is there] could find a commentator on the rugby in Aus who could find a way to articulate a description of a game beyond the usual nasal grunts. Really, I don't believe subtitles should be an option here given the shared historical linguistics we have in common. I bid you all good day.
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
Hi Ben, thanks for the comments. Fair enough criticism on the media accusation, a bit of hyperbole on my behalf. Though there has been rumblings about some of gatlands decisions, would you agree? On the greenwood comments, it may not be cockiness but I just wonder why he had to make them. Seems a strange comment to make on the eve of a big tour when the last thing you want is to give an underdog opponent any motivation, no matter how flippant. Enjoy the series
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Don't know how Greenwood's view represents a British cockiness. Let's be realistic: this Wallaby side is eminently beatable. It is by far an inferior product to the opposition of 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2009. I also think it's pretty outrageous to suggest that sections of the media would not be that upset by a Lions loss due to a throwaway comment from a verbally incompetent head coach, but then again, maybe you represent the stereotypically misinformed SH view...
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Oh stop complaining ;)
Well Ruck me.
Guest
Good memories of going tramping to Rocks hut and along the Abel Tasmen. Loved the smoked muscles from Ruby Bay and hooning around in the tinny. On steamy hot Nelson days (24°) we used to bike up the Maitai Valley for a swim.
Tatah
Guest
I can tell you that the unlucky 22 who are playing for the Lions v the Baa Baas tonight here in HK are going to do it tough. My phone says its 32 degrees and 'feels like 37' ( I'm not going to argue with the phone on that one ). Its HK humid as well. Selfishly I'm glad they're here, but I tend to agree with Woodward that the person who scheduled this game did them no favors.
Carl Pieters
Guest
They had a few key players not playing - like Parisse. They improved when Evans came on at flyhalf and I can see them raising their game considerably with a chance to be the first ever Barbarians side to beat the BIL. But yes, the last good Barbarians side was in 2009 when they were jam packed with in form Springboks when they went on to defeat the All Blacks at the EOYT.
Atawhai Drive
Guest
Nelson's a good part of the world, Well Ruck Me.
Well Ruck me.
Guest
Saying "Greg Martin" can offend some people Atawhai Drive. P.S. I lived on Atawhai Drive for 17 years.
atlas
Guest
or is it just some combinations of letters? on another (bland) post I mentioned Samoan international Ofisa Treviranus - and it went 'waiting for moderation' (as this one will if that's right) based on the last 4 letters of his name being picked up. I'll mention Scunthorpe here to test that theory!
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
Strong looking team well Ruck me. Number 10 is an interesting one for both teams. It will probably be Farrell for the lions, who is young and may be a little under done experience wise. For us, well were do you start when talking 10's?
Atawhai Drive
Guest
And again, a blander-than-bland comment attracts the 'awaiting moderation' notice. I don't get it.
Atawhai Drive
Guest
Four references to Greg Smith . . . Freudian slip, perhaps? The late Greg Smith was not a success when he coached the Wallabies in 1996-97 but he was a good rugby man. Agreed, Greg Martin's hyperbole is fooling no one.