Lions 37 — Royal XV 25
May 30th, 2009 | By Bock | Category: RugbyMust try harder. Â
The Lions came close to an embarrassing defeat by the weakest team they’re going to meet in South Africa. Â With 7 minutes left, they were still trailing by two points, and it wasn’t until Wyn Jones went over for a try that they looked like salvaging the game. Â OGara’s final try sealed teh win, but it was hardly a classic display of rugby excellence. Â
The Lions were haphazard and awkward against a second-string opposition, and I thought Keith earls looked particularly unsure of himself, as if the  occasion was getting to him.
It’s 38 years since a Lions side lost its opening match, but they nearly repeated that today. Â They’ll have to do a lot better than this if they have any hope of wining a Test match in South Africa.
I watched it myself and they were ‘haunted’ as we say in Cork. However what I did think is that we are fast coming to a place where Irish people will only be able watch sports on TV without having to pay for it.
RTE just don’t have the juice to get the transmissions and as a result if you are ona budget, cant afford it or are only a big event sports viewer then you don’t get to see it.
Overall I think the ywere just tired as was I as I fell asleep during it.
Great blog etc etc… sorry for writing a mini blog in it…
Bock regrettably the Lions were very close to pathetic. If they perform this way they will have seven kinds of shit kicked out of them. Perhaps even overturn all the pride ,all the nations they represent feel.
1971 since the Irish and other lions lost an opening game, and their still talking about it. Earls had a mare,knocked on three times, one of which led indirectly to the oppositions try. O’Connell also failed to show any leadership. Overall, the majority of the side, the Irish majority, were about as useful as an astray on a motorbike, until defeat was staring them in the face. But fair play to the the opposition, some of whom just happened to be passing the ground at the time and were asked to tog out, they put it up to them. They were leading 18-3 at one stage. Reminds me of when Ron Atkinson was manager of Villa and was asked why he came down from the stands – his preferred vantage point- to the dug out at one stage; “Well,” explained, “I came down to pass on some vital information to my side – like the fact that the game started half an hour ago”. I get the distinct impression that these sides are softening the visitors up for the Boks.
It does not look promising, but on the other hand, it might just be opening-night nerves. Let’s not be too negative at this stage.
Just reading this morning that the Royals team had never played fully together before either.Things do not bode well.Hopefully its first game nerves.Anywho..anyone see the disgruntled head on Martin Johnson at the Barbarians game?It would have taken a man with a 16lb lump hammer to make me stop smiling.
I’d like to think taht it was just opening night nerves, the Lions will get better, as will Keith Earls. The Royals were an invitational side made up of two local Curry Cup teams, 11 from one and 4 from the other, so to say that they had not played together is not entirely true. Still the Lions are all International players and should have stuffed them. As for Martin Johnson, he would be the first name on my team sheet everytime, a great player and leader.