What has become world rugby’s showpiece – the British and Irish Lions tour – came very close to being relegated to sideshow status, ex-Wallabies hooker Tom Lawton says.
The Lions’ 1989 tour may be remembered for all the wrong reasons by Australians after a David Campese brain explosion capped the Wallabies’ 2-1 series loss.
However, Lawton claimed on Friday that it also ensured the now legendary Lions concept remained alive and well.
Lawton – whose 41-Test career ended in 1989 – said a quiet beer with Welsh legend John O’Shea who was still in close contact with the Lions camp revealed the true impact of the British series win.
“The Lions concept was on the cusp of disintegration from a fair dinkum club to a social club like the Barbarians,” he told AAP.
“I had one or two cold beers with (1968 Lions prop) John O’Shea in Sydney and he mentioned that the `89 tour here was a real watershed tour for the Lions.
“If they had lost against us according to him and his contacts, the Lions concept would have fallen by the wayside and not be the wonderful team that you see today.”
O’Shea had earned his own slice of history by becoming the first Lion to be sent off for foul play after throwing a punch on the 1968 tour of South Africa.
However, he firmly believed the history books would have also looked upon the 1989 Lions team unfavourably if they had not emerged victorious Down Under that year.
The record books appear to back up his claim.
The Lions ended a 15-year winless drought when they pounced on Campese’s now infamous wayward in-goal pass to seal a series-deciding 19-18 game three win in Sydney.
The Lions were due – they had lost on tour in South Africa (3-0 in 1974, 3-1 in 1980) and New Zealand (3-1 in 1977, 4-0 in 1983) before tasting success in Australia.
Lawton was unveiled in Brisbane on Friday as the latest Australian Rugby Union’s “Statesmen”, representing the 1980s decade.
Others honoured on Friday were Ernest Hills (1940s), Des Connor (1950s), Jules Guerassimoff (1960s), Stu Gregory (1970s), Dan Crowley (1990s) and Joe Roff (2000s).
The “Statesmen” program has been in place since 2008 and annually recognises one player from each decade since WWII.
Snobby Deans
Guest
Well said mate. The talk about violence on this tour has shown just how badly the Aussies want this - fair dinkum or otherwise. Not sure that allowing players to talk that way is a look the ARU wants to send to young kids & parents
Dave
Guest
Who is taking the moral high ground? I personally think that they should be roughed up but the lions can retaliate without being banned on tour. That way if you get a brave guy like that nsw guy on the last tour who punched that defenceless Irish guy ten times then the lions can defend themselves without fear of missing the test series. The ban would come into effect when the get home. That will stop you so called tough Australians taking pot shots on people
ScotandProud
Guest
1974 4 tests - Lions won 3, 1 test drawn.
Adsa
Guest
Geez way to keep the dream alive - stomping on Cutlers head at Ballymore, belt Far Jones, and now take the moral highground.