Disappointing news this morning with Ferris being withdrawn from the team due to a calf strain. Powell also withdrawn with a hand injury (insect bite?) and Wallace and Heaslip brought in as replacements. I guess Heaslip will be starting from the bench as he’s had a busy few weeks!
Interesting to see that the Lions can make these announcements in a timely fashion whereas it seemed beyond Matt Williams in his time with Ulster! Must get the hedges trimmed and the grass cut before I head out to watch the game – no Bogboy it’s not a euphemism!
Later …
Watched the match up at Raging Raven’s palatial palace (he must have been an MP in an earlier life) and it wasn’t long before the Raven was raging!
First to incur his wrath was young Earls who the Raven dismissed as, “Part of a Munster conspiracy!” Next up was Blair of whom the Raven declared, “He’s not even the best scrum half in Scotland.” This was followed by a swipe at the Official Lions Tour Organisers who were described as “worse than MP’s” for charging an average of £45 to sit in a two thirds empty stadium. (We actually picked up our non test match tickets for £11 each by buying them through South African contacts so maybe he had a point there!)
The Raven calmed down slightly when Tommy Bowe crossed for The Lions first try but when the Royal’s out half crossed the 22 as he launched a kick 60 yards down the field straight into touch the South African match officials got it with both barrels as they gave the line out where the ball crossed the line. I just can’t wait until we’re sitting in Newlands Stadium surrounded by thousands of massive Boers and the Raven lets rip. It should be interesting to say the least?
The Lions eventually got on top, despite a spirited effort by the Royals, with a try by man of the match Byrne, another from Wyn Jones from a forward rumble and an interception by O’Gara giving a final score of Royals 25 Lions 37. The last try gave us an opportunity to practice cheering for the Munster man, something we haven’t done for quite a few years.
Overall a scrappy enough performance by the Lions, but a win, by whatever means, was the most important thing here. Plenty of work to be done and it’ll be interesting to see how the squad reacts when they face the more challenging Golden Lions on Wednesday. If things don’t improve over the next few matches I might just pack my boots. Another 3.2k today, 70 press ups and 70 sit ups: come Wednesday week I’ll be in tip top shape?
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One Response to “Lions Diary Day 2.”
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Yes Dewi I think we can bin Earls and Blair now. Blair was especially disappointing as a captain of a national side I expected much more. Earls just played to his ability as a bog boy promoted above his station. Up front they are going to pay for not having Rory Best neither hooker has the physicality required to tame the Bocks.
Wallace better hope they give him a chance on the flank or he may as well head home now. Has he ever been so anonymous? The Yank from San Diego played better than expected, Bowe and Byrne improved their test chances.
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