Hello, my name is Pat and I used to watch rugby union. It was a long time ago, but with this new strand of substance flowing in from Britain, the British and Irish Lions, I feel like I may be about to relapse.
I fell out of love with the union code a long time ago, beginning a lustful romance with its saucier sibling league, which I’ve mainly chosen to scribe about on The Roar thus far.
A bit later in life I began an affair with cricket as well, but rugby union has not been on my radar for a long time, apart from a quadrennial rendezvous known as the World Cup.
But now, my interest has once again been piqued. The Lions tour appears to be a unique event in modern sport. In an era of instant and constant satisfaction for the Generation Y masses, the Lions tour has remained unaffected by such cultural impatience, maintaining the grand allure of a once-every-twelve-years occasion.
Likewise, to maintain an old-fashioned ‘tour’, with the Lions competing against not only the Wallabies but domestic Super Rugby clubs and even a combined country side, is another reason to take an interest in this tour.
Most other tours have been cut-down from their Lions-style origins and are a simple Test match affair, but not this one.
One day cricket is being squeezed and pressurised by the money that can be made in T20 matches, but the Lions tour has not been abbreviated by such afflictions.
It is also a rare event where the players from four nations can be combined in an organic and exciting way.
A combined New Zealand, Australia and South Africa side simply would not have the same grandeur and intrigue as the British and Irish Lions. A historic side which only gathers once every four years to test the best teams in the world, a true ‘Dream Team’ of the best the British Isles can gather.
After a long time between drinks, this British and Irish Lions tour has made this former fan like it’s time to see exactly what rugby union is up too these days.
The intrigue of the tour will not be able to override my undying passion to witnessing the Blues smash those smug Canetoads, but after Wednesday night I will slightly avert my gaze and watch tentatively to see if this tour can draw me into a full blown relapse which it is very likely threatening to do.
BBA
Guest
I agree I wish I could experience more "loins" tours too. Once every 12 years is too long.
Shop
Guest
Rugby is very poorly televised in Australia. I live in Argentina and ESPN are showing 3 of the test this weekend. You might have to find a bar with Setenta (if it still exists). Bueno, vamos los Pumas!!
silegusta
Roar Rookie
I could not find an appropriate forum to list this but I thought I would roar out here with a comment, Where oh where can we watch the non Fox Sports televised international fixtures this weekend? To my understanding The South Africa Vs Italy game will not be shown nor will the Samoa Vs. Scotland game, not to mention Argentina and England. What has happened? Such a spectacular weekend of Rugby is coming up and it appears that the majority of it has been denied to us Confused and concerned
p.Tah
Guest
Similar to me, since they stopped slaughtering gladiators in the Colosseum I've stopped going to Rome.
Hossey
Roar Guru
It would certainly be a very, very good team on paper.
AdamS
Roar Guru
The last loins tour I went on was pretty exciting.
Mmickey
Guest
You sound like my grandfather who grew up in Victoria. Mad VFL supporter back in the day, but because "it's not the same game anymore" with the rule changes, he refuses to watch it now.
El Cao Putrido
Roar Rookie
lets hope that the wallabies win and there is some good rugby played!! although highly unlikely maybe many league supporters will see through the trivialisation/instant gratification/degenerate affair that the NRL has become. in saying that the socceroos are playing tonight!!!!
Jock M
Guest
I had a religious devotion to Rugby prior to it going profesional. I am not interested in The Lions Tour-I will take very little interest in the game until when the breakdown laws are addressed.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Very nice read Pat! We need more fans like you so welcome back!
Mmickey
Guest
Nevertheless, it would be an interesting affair wouldn't it? Have a SANZAR side take on the Lions? It'll never happen, but it would make a good fantasy team scenario.
Smudga
Guest
The reason that a team comprising NZ Oz and SA would not have the same grandeur is that on their own they can all beat the Lions.
Mmickey
Guest
There really is something special about the Lions tours isn't there? It was the tour of 2001 that actually turned me to Union actually, and I've loved the game since. Your point about the organic nature of the tours is good as well - it has been done for so long now that trying to replicate it with a Southern Equivalent would be too artificial at this point. That said, part of me would like to see a SANZAR squad tour the north in some ways. The problem is that the Green, Black and Gold would be hard to work into an iconic kit, and whilst the emblem of bok, wallaby and silver fern would look pretty cool, what would we call them? The "SANZAR ..." what? No animal or moniker of any relevance springs to mind.
Mysonsaremaggots
Roar Rookie
Good Read Pat, But if your looking for cheap trills (like lots of running and heaps of trys) to bring you back forget it. loins tours are normally old school Rugby, watch means it will go straight over the average NRL or Afl supports head.
Daz
Guest
Entertaining read Pat. Let's hope this tour provides some absorbing rugby and brings back some more fans. One more year for the Blues though boys.
hog
Guest
There's no doubt about they are special these lion's tour, here's hoping you like what you see.
p.Tah
Guest
I've been so focused on the Lions tour I hadn't realised SOO was on this week (thought it was next week) and I'm going to the game!
mania
Guest
i agree pat. go the cockroaches!!