Lions Tour

its intense but dire

Many people, including myself, believed this tour should never have gone ahead given the Covid situation in SA and subsequent consequences for the trip. Unfortunately the (lack of) quality of the rugby, meaningless one sided warm up matches, the appalling social media rant by Erasmus, and the attempts on both sides to have players carded/cited all leaves a really poor taste in the mouth. I , perhaps naively, hope that international sport-in particular the Lions in rugby with the coming together of 4 countries- is about inspiring the next potential generations of players and spectators. If a non-rugby person had decided to follow the last few weeks in South Africa on and off the field would they be drawn to our sport? If I wanted to watch a kick fest where players fane injury, disrespect the officials and where coaches/mangers whinge about each other across social media and the governing body appear powerless to intervene I would follow the round ball game. Just sad.

Spot on Marigold, that sums it up very nicely . .  even if the Lions win on Saturday this will not be a tour that is looked back on with any nostalgia by fans or players.

At least they’re playing. It’s a very difficult time for everybody and people’s reactions to everything are exaggerated.

The atmosphere, the awful continuity and the dirge on the field have driven masses of non devotees, and some die-hards, away from the series, and possibly the sport.

Been involved in rugby at various levels most of my life. England were bad this is no better and all the other antics off and on the pitch just leaves me cold. The game is losing its ethos and appeal.

Edited by Bin Licker - 02 Aug 2021 at 13:52

Never mind lads. Proper rugby starts in a few weeks. You know, where the guy with the whistle makes a decision and everyone just gets on with it

Penda wrote: Never mind lads. Proper rugby starts in a few weeks. You know, where the guy with the whistle makes a decision and everyone just gets on with it

It’s the week of the decider and yet I have virtually no enthusiasm at all for Saturday. This series has been a dire, boring spectacle which has shown all the worst traits of the game at the moment. The constant kick-tennis, the agonising over decisions, the criticism of referees and the niggly tactics employed by both teams have been a stain on what is meant to be one of rugby’s great showcase events. 

Edited by Donnyknightfan - 03 Aug 2021 at 11:14

Donnyknightfan wrote: It’s the week of the decider and yet I have virtually no enthusiasm at all for Saturday. This series has been a dire, boring spectacle which has shown all the worst traits of the game at the moment. The constant kick-tennis, the agonising over decisions, the criticism of referees and the niggly tactics employed by both teams have been a stain on what is meant to be one of rugby’s great showcase events.