BBC Home
Explore the BBC
| Help
---------------
CHOOSE A SPORT
RELATED BBC SITES
Last Updated: Wednesday, 6 July, 2005, 11:22 GMT 12:22 UK
Lions in NZ tour blog
As the countdown to the third and final Test continues, New Zealand have named their side while the Lions have put their announcement back by 24 hours.

The Lions only have pride to play for, although the hard-fought win over Auckland on Tuesday has helped the party rediscover some momentum.

Send us your thoughts on how the tour has gone and what we can expect from the final match of the series.

To contribute, use the form on the right or text 'Lions' plus your message to 81111. Texts are charged at operators' standard tariffs. The service is not available from NZ.

If you want to talk about the tour generally or specific Lions issues with fellow fans, please visit our dedicated message boards.

LATEST UPDATES FROM FANS, REPORTERS, PUNDITS & PLAYERS

1212 BST: Mike Coates, Sydney
I am a Scot living in Sydney but did live in NZ for four years, in my time there Scotland toured twice and i had to endure some very one sided contest but that being said i would always ensure I went to every game I could and cheered them till the last. I will be doing the same on Saturday and will be in Auckland wearing my Lions top with pride. A number of Kiwi friends here and in NZ have loved being able to dish it out to us BRITS this week but who knows one last push a few more scots in the team, Cussiter and Bulloch with White on the bench and you never know.

1130 BST: Lesley Hawke, Richmond, Surrey Trying to bring together four nations who play different styles of rugby is always an uphill struggle. Maybe this time has been more evident than others but I am still hugely proud of the guys as all nations have gone through major changes since 2001. Separately they're coming into their own...lets hope that the next tour will be the one they all show their TRUE style. I just hope that fans don't give up hope in the meantime. Get behind the boys and be proud...remembering that sport is about the taking part...especially in light of the Olympic vote!!!!

1049 BST: Nick, Moscow
Well, I am not impressed with the Lions tour at all. I put it down to SCW and his aggressive style (apart from rugby game plans that is!) Taking Campbell on tour is inviting confrontation. The way he used him - even worse.

1006 BST: Undercover Kiwi
The hero of the second Test, Dan Carter, was the subject of a television documentary here on Sunday night. In it, the new star of world rugby, told the story of staring in a training video with Andrew Mehrtens and Justin Marshall while still at Christchurch Boys' High and then when he made the All Blacks hanging around Mehrtens like a bad smell in an attempt to glean every bit of information from the veteran. Like many Kiwis, Carter grew up on a farm in rural Canterbury and his backyard was large enough to boast two goalposts where he would spend hours practising his goalkicking.

1004 BST: Townie, Sudan
Does anyone know of a venue in Khartoum that will be showing the rugby this Saturday?

1003 BST: Craig, Edinburgh
I've been reading the tour blog for the last few weeks and can hold back no longer. As harsh as it may sound, I am ashamed to call myself a lions supporter. Not because of the results against a far superior opposition but because of the way this was handled by the management. SCW made a huge error brining Alastair Campbell with him. On the whole, the players have not been to bad. However, using the excuse that they have not had enough time to play together is because the squad is too big. Four scrum halves? Cooper may as well have stayed at home! Although I believe the Lions would have lost regardless of management, squad size, injuries etc., I would have liked to see closer games and ultimately, more entertaining rugby.

0940 BST: Mathew Payne, Bangkok
Six weeks for stamping on someone's head! Two months for biting someone's fingers in your mouth. Makes you wonder! <

0934 BST: Alasdair, Wellington
As an Irishman living in Wellington and an All Black supporter for the Tests, I think the whole tour has been excellent, thanks mainly to the Lions fans. Saturday night was the best atmosphere I have ever seen, before, during and after a rugby match and the BOP and Taranaki matches were fantastic too. The rubbishing of the Lions in the NZ press is due to extreme disappointment that they have reached nowhere near their potential.

However, most Kiwis at work and in the media are delighted to see Geech do well, because he clearly loves New Zealand, its rugby and the Lions concept. He is also humble, a trait which Kiwis love.

As well as the mythical status of the 1971 side, the 1959 Lions were hugely popular and still looked back on with affection, because they were great off the field and on it offered something different with their outstanding back play. Unfortunately SCW has few of the above qualities, and this makes him an easy target in NZ.

0913 BST: Jason, Auckland, NZ
I like the way the Lions have lined up and clapped the All Blacks off the field, that is a real show of good sportsmanship. It has been good to host the Lions supporters and I think that our own media has gone overboard on every aspect of the whole tour, after all it's just a game, but what a great one!.

0901 BST: Paul, Wellington, NZ
Thanks very much to the great bunch of Lions supporters who made our city come alive last weekend ... I was at the game last Saturday, and loved the atmosphere! Pity Sir Clive made so many basic mistakes with the selecting, management and coaching of your side. The tour offered a perfect opportunity to build a side selected from form, but he selected guys who clearly hadn't had adequate game time together, but come again in 12 years!

0849 BST: David Rapkin, Adelaide, Australia
As an ex-Brit, I've been following the "Pride" with a considerable interest, but am glad to agree with all those in the northern climes who appear now to be thinking positively about our soon-to-be Super 14 competition and the style of play that has evolved. Pays dividends, doesn't it?

0845 BST: Huw Forrest, BBC Sport blogger
The weather in the North Island has changed since the second Test to match many of the fans thoughts. Paihia in the Bay of Islands has seen the arrival of a number of Lions buses after the midweek game but is a wash out with a number of roads closed due to the conditions.

The Auckland game last night was a great win for the dirt trackers who have had a great run and demonstrated a fantastic attitude since the series loss on Saturday. Well done to Geech and the guys.

The Kiwi press have had the daggers out daily for Woodward and Campbell for days after the spin put on Umaga failed on Saturday. The Test team must now play for the pride of the Lions if they are to stop this tour becoming a complete whitewash. It will be tough but at least Carter isn't playing!

0840 BST: Will Evans, Brisbane, Australia
Will the IRB hurry up and organise a Lions v ANZAC game so we can put the latest 'no gel' spin to rest?! Latham at full-back, Giteau in the centres, Tuquiri on the wing, and Sharpe joining the tight five would compliment the Kiwis.

0817 BST: Neil Brodie, Surrey, England The midweek team play with such passion, team spirit and personal understanding. Alas these aspects are missing from the Test team. This is quite often the case in club rugby where the first team struggle to match the strength of team spirit which develops over time playing together. I hope Clive realises that he needs to play a midweek team to win the third and final Test and restore some much-needed pride to the Lions.

0715 BST: Robert Jenkins, Tokyo
I'm delighted to see that Graham Henry has Lauaki (24), Smith (23) and McAlister (21) in the squad for Saturday. I suspect McAlister will come on for McDonald and Lauaki for McCaw. The average age of the All Blacks for the first Test was 25 (the Lions' was 30). It will be interesting to see how the average ages compare this weekend.

0630 BST: Ray Lewis, Bay of Plenty NZ
The final Test will be a very close high-scoring match. If the Lions win then Sir Clive and his spin doctors can go to town on what might have happened if Brian O'Driscoll had not been injured. If the All Blacks win then the tour will go down as a disastrous 3-0 loss against rival professionals who were just too good in every facet of play. I hope the Lions win as it may well help New Zealand host the World Cup in 2011.

0503 BST: Andrew Berry, Auckland
Another great game last night and commiserations to Auckland. If only the transport was as good as the game. The ABs can't expect to host the World Cup with these problems. Apart from that a fantastic night.

0456 BST: Undercover Kiwi
There was almost a small international incident at the official after match at Te Papa museum following the second Test in Wellington. A number of invited guests, including Brian O'Driscoll's girlfriend, model Glenda Gilson, turned up in clothes that did not comply with the dress code. They were refused entry and a bit of a stand-off ensued, with some of the Lions party threatening not to attend if the guests were not allowed in. Luckily, a discount superstore, The Warehouse, was still open across the road and new attire was procured. The only thing is, The Warehouse is a stack 'em high sell 'em cheap kind of place and not usually the place you'll see a model used to designer labels buying clothes. At the store is big and red - much like the Lions tour party.

0345 BST: Mark, Sydney
Apparently the Lions are releasing a new shirt for the third Test in Auckland. Don't know if many fans will be wanting to buy it though. Thought you might like it!!! It is such a shame that the Lions have failed to perform because normally it is a wonderful series. Graham Henry was slaughtered for his management of the 2001 Lions but at least he won a Test and came so very, very close to winning the whole thing. Woodward should have taken on board some of what Henry did rather than discarding everything.

0222 BST: Lipa Vaoga, Samoa
I think Clive Woodward and his management has done a great job but the Lions as a team needs much more game time than just a tour in order to sharpen their tactics.

0143 BST: Gavin, Lancs, UK
Having watched the game this morning does anyone else feel a twang of disappointment at what could have been on this tour? I for one have an awful feeling that common sense has been the missing ingredient. Why have the weekend Lions been seemingly incapable of playing straight forward, aggressive and cohesive rugby when the midweek side (although admittedly not playing the same calibre of opposition) have shown that belief in their own style of play wins matches in New Zealand.

0121 BST: Tony, Hamilton, NZ
In reply to Ian Schofield. Give credit where credit is due. The Lions fans have been absolutely outstanding. I have been to three Lions games and it's been a pleasure to see them having fun and enjoying themselves with the exception of the results. NZ has never been an easy place for any team to tour. The Lions were always on a hiding to nothing with their 10% series winning rate in Zither only thing missing was a competitive Lions team. The 1971 Lions team are a team of folklore in this country due to the result, the players and the way they played in that series. NZ media will always bag a poor team. The reasons for such an average side with all the potential are many. Maybe the tour would not have been ruined for you if the result was different. You should read the media when the AB's play badly.





Links to more Tour Blog stories


 

HAVE YOUR SAY HERE:
Name
Your E-mail address
Where do you live?
Comments

The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide.


SEE ALSO
Pick your Lions XV
24 May 05 |  Lions in NZ
Lions tour venue guides
18 May 05 |  Lions in NZ
Early history of the Lions
18 May 05 |  Lions in NZ
Fixture list for Lions tour to NZ
08 Apr 05 |  Lions in NZ
Lions player profiles
25 May 05 |  Lions in NZ
All Blacks player profiles
25 May 05 |  Lions in NZ


RELATED BBC LINKS:

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

ALSO IN THIS SECTION

E-mail services | Sport on mobiles/PDAs | Headlines for your site

MMIX

Back to top

Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Olympics 2012 | Other Sport...

Video and Audio | Scores & Fixtures | Have Your Say | TV/Radio Schedule

Fun and Games | Question of Sport | Photo Galleries

Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales

BBC Sport Academy >> | BBC News >> | BBC Weather >>
About the BBC | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | Contact us
banner watch listen bbc sport