As a fanatical Wallabies and Reds supporter, it has been a delightful relief to watch the British and Irish Lions’ tour of New Zealand as a neutral observer.
I’ve become accustomed to my rugby coming with a healthy side serving of heartache and frustration, but this tour has fed my soul like few before it. The history, the fans, the story, and of course, the rugby, has reinvigorated my love for the game and reassured me that only on our shores has the proverbial death knell has been ringing.
But this is not about homegrown handwringing, I’ve well and truly had enough of that.
This is about how good rugby can be when it relies on its traditions and its strengths.
Four years ago, when the Lions toured Australia, I was so heavily invested in the result that I was almost blinded to the joy tours like this can bring. I leaped from one gut-wrenching moment to another. The Horwill suspension drama, the late night burger run, the dying days of Dingo, it was almost all too much.
Of course there were highlights, not least of which was the arrival of Israel Folau on the international scene and a memorable victory in the second Test. At the time, however, it was all about the win, and on that count, it was a failed exercise for the Wallabies and their fans.
This current tour, however, comes with none of that baggage. There have still been dramas, but by and large, they have been on-field dramas, and that only adds to the narrative of this great series.
It is that narrative that has me so captivated, particularly as it can really only develop on longer tours such as this one, with the ebb and flow of midweek matches building into the crescendo of this weekend’s deciding Test match.
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I grew up on these long tours, and they come around all too rarely these days. It’s been such a joy watching the Lions team grow together over the course of the tour, develop their style of play and combinations between nations, nations at war with each other just a few short months ago.
My Scottish heritage had me outraged at the apparent snub of such a well performed Six Nations team, but outrage has given way to acceptance, and it’s hard to argue with a team now one win away from a historic victory.
The traveling fans are of course the other highlight of these tours. No nation can compete with the British in terms of a mobile fan-base, and their vociferous support is sometimes as entertaining as the on-field action.
Without a vested interest in the result, I can appreciate the throng for all that they bring, undoubtedly adding another layer of personality and colour to the tour.
A Lions tour to New Zealand is unlike anything else rugby has to offer, arguably the two best teams in the world facing off in a contest we won’t see for another 12 years.
Full stadiums decked out in black and red is as imposing and impressive as rugby crowds get, and watching Owen Farrell take the kick of his life last week, sailing the ball through the posts and into that sea of red, was a glorious sight.
Hearing the Kiwi crowd lift as one as their anthem kicks into the second verse always sends a shiver down my spine, and there seems to be a little extra gusto in their lungs for these games.
This Saturday’s rendition might just shake the foundations of Eden Park.
The scuttlebutt we started to hear about the death of the Lions has surely been put to bed. Rugby is built on its traditions and this team, this tour, is surely one of the greatest traditions we have. The scarcity only adds to the value.
The chance, this year, to watch the Lions do battle without my mental health hinging on the result has been a pleasure.
I can only hope the battle this Saturday night can live up to the expectation, and deliver a spectacle worthy of this great tradition. I’ll be on the couch, completely relaxed, but utterly enthralled. And I can’t wait.
Mtngry
Guest
The lions tours always leave me with two thoughts. 1) the line will never die, even if they couldn't beat the traditional tier 1 foes, the supporters and teams would happily do north or south Americaan tours, or even Asia. Could you imagine a three test series in Argentina with warm up games against Brazil and Uruguay? A Two series tour V USA and CANADA? Swing through Asia, HK, Korea, Taiwan and 3 tests in Japan! 2) Australia needs better rugby songs.
scottd
Guest
Yes, good article mate. It has been a really refreshing and exciting tour to date. I am loving it.
Philip O'Donovan
Guest
Yes good article but it is British and Irish fans as it is the British and Irish Lions.
Ralph
Roar Guru
Best national anthem in the world.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Rugby has been fantastic. The lions definitely turned up. Well done in a great series. One of the best I've seen .
Brian
Guest
Typo: British 'and Irish' fans.
mzilikazi
Guest
Yes, that is the reason why there is no anthem. Used to be just the Lions...only changed with 2001 tour to Australia. Wish they would choose something....I also love the singing pre match. But I hate the way now the cameras don't focus totally on the players faces....don't want to see rear shots of the team, and people in the crowd....plenty of time for the latter during slack moments in the game.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
The thing that stands out for me about the Lions tours is how loud their fans are in the stadiums. I can still hear the roar and echo (in my head) of "LLIIIOOOOOONNNSS ...... LLIIIOOOOOONNNSS"!!! from both the games played at Kings Park in Durban in 1997 and 2009. It's loud. And awesome :-)
Wobbliesarewoeful
Guest
Someone was A Wobbly fan 98-02... and thought that Wobblies would always be competitive. Can't handle the reality ???
Wobbliesarewoeful
Guest
If they most of the game with 14... sure
richard
Guest
No need to sing GSTQ.We will stick to the dirge we already have.Besides,the sooner we cut all ties to England and become a republic can't come quick enough.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes its all part of the flawed Lions concept. They have no home, no ranking, no song, no allegiance, except the one word one song currently touring the country... 'lions, lions' Come to think of it... sounds pretty good.
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
G'day Cam, Like you I'm a Wallabies and Reds fan with a very healthy dose of British and Irish heritage and I'm currently on tour with a Lions group. I've had a great time with Lion and Kiwi alike but if I could share the odd insight; 1. Kiwi humility is a myth. The All Blacks may have a good culture, but their rugby public a very quick to tell you how very good they are. If I were a Kiwi I too would be proud of them, but this perception they would like you to have that they are just humble folk from down under is Lord of the Rings stuff. Fiction! 2. The Lions Fans are an eclectic bunch who appear to get on like family for as long as they can yet tribal tensions simer below the surface. The Welsh are great, but they don't like the Northern Welsh, the Poms from the north are of good stock but still have scant regard for Londoners, the Cornish are headstrong but good value and the Scots and Irish are a little sparse. You get the sense even if they win on Saturday, old rivalries will take greater importance and resume by the following Saturday with each tribe claiming the Lions could not have done it without us! I've enjoyed the experience, made some new mates from both sides but mate despite our domestic rugby issues ive never felt so proud to be Australian.
Waxhead
Guest
Mr Stokes says... "Four years ago, when the Lions toured Australia, I was so heavily invested in the result that I was almost blinded to the joy tours like this can bring. I leaped from one gut-wrenching moment to another. The Horwill suspension drama, the late night burger run, the dying days of Dingo, it was almost all too much." How sad for you Cam. So obsessed with the result you couldn't enjoy the journey win, lose or draw. I hope you've got a more balanced sporting life now cos you'll need it this year :)
mzilikazi
Guest
Nice relaxed writing, Cam. These tours are indeed something special. It is a shame that in the professional era, they are so short. 1971 tour, for example had 25 matches, with games in places like Wanganui, Greymouth, Gisborne.........what excitement for the locals to have the Lions come to town. Incidentally, you will be pleased that of only two matches that great side lost, one was to Qld. at Ballymore...a "warm up" game before hitting NZ. The only other loss was one test to the AB's. Probably a good thing the current team did not play Qld on the way out to NZ !!
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Cam Fun read Looking forward to it too. Cheers KP
Dan54
Guest
Gee Cam, you saying what I have been for last few weeks, although I a kiwi so have an interest,I still say it has fired my love of this great game of ours even more. In fact off tomorrow to NZ with mate to catch last test. But have loved the tour so much haven't been to upset at losing the second test. Went over to Blues game and as rugby fanatic from this side of the equator I will say there is nothing more enjoyable than having a beer or 3 with Lions supporters and knowing you are usually discussing the game with someone else with the same passion for the game. Also think this a very good Lion's team, and their whole attitude both on and off the field has been brilliant!
Derm
Roar Guru
The NZ anthem could be God Save The Queen as it's an official anthem - that would cover the British monarch players from England, NZ and Wales. And then sing God Defend New Zealand for the Irish players as it was written by an Irishman!
Adsa
Guest
What a shame, love hearing them belt out the anthem guess due to the nature of the team it can't be done, I was sure it was sung on the 89 tour. Great stuff going on the tour Cam wish I had thought of it.
Bob Wire
Guest
Queen is not the monarch of Ireland, it's an independent country, not part of the U.K. Unlike Northern Ireland which is part of the U.K.