This without a shadow of a doubt is my favourite sporting event in the world. Not only the watching the British and Irish lions tour, which in itself is a four-year wait, but the fact it is a twelve year wait for the tour the land of the long white cloud. Surely this is the pinnacle of rugby, the home nations where the game originates from, take on the country that have taken the game to unimaginable heights.

It goes without saying, I would like to think everyone out there is going to watch every game of the six-week tour. Whether you are just a fan of the sport, a player thinking to themselves “I could have been there if I applied myself better or never got that injury” but especially if you are a budding youngster of the game. You are going to get to watch the best players in the world play two intense games a week.

But what should you be looking for? Let’s break it down into our positions,
The tight five. In the modern era of rugby, the front and second row are expected to do more than just scrummage and line out. Of course, these are important, without being able to master your set piece you can’t play rugby. Turn back the clock to the 90s when the South Africans, English and French were at the top of their game. They all had massive tight fives that dominated their opposition, it didn’t matter if they were gym junkies that were taught to do one thing, or the more traditional rotund frame and could only do one thing… so yes watch their technique but more importantly watch the angles they run to carry the ball, how they clear out rucks, how they scan the field for where they should be for the next phase and perhaps more importantly what they do with the ball! Nothing scarier than a 130kg prop with a side step and a change of pace.

The back row. Number one thing you will notice is the work rate! International back rows are freaks of athletes. After that though, young need to compare yourself to a player you are similar too, for example, you could be an eight like Reid that has great hands and finds himself in the wider channels looking for cross kicks or giving off loads too wings. A seven like Savea that just has phenomenal pace and could rival most international backs. Or my favourite Welshman on tour, Tipuric. He has the brain of a play maker and the work rate to match any other, I reckon he will be the biggest difference in the pack.

Half backs. These guys are the easiest to follow because the camera is on them for most of the game. The media is constantly putting pressure on the kickers for this tour and rightly so. Pay special attention to the variety of kicks the tens are going to use to keep opposition guessing and how high the nines are going to hang the ball in the air for when box kicking. Second to the kicking, speed management, all the New Zealand franchises have the ability to change the pace of the game as and when it suits them. Our play makers must learn to do as well and how they can counteract the oppositions attempts. In my opinion, Farrell must start at ten, nine is still close between Webb and Murray

Midfield. The key with these fellas is to watch what they do in defence. The closer to the ruck you stand the easier it is to stop attackers (in my opinion). But if you look at the way the game is being played in the southern hemisphere, line breaks are happing in the thirteen channel. This seems to happen because they are able to pull the twelve in to the ten or manipulate the winger into a position where he can’t cover the gaps. Pay special attention to Henshaw and Davis, these two are great at defending the outside without leaving gaps on the inside.

Back three. It’s all about positioning and finishing with these boys. The AB’s counter acting prowess is unrivalled. Any young player should be watching the Hoggs and Milner-Skudders of the world, get out in the garden and practice one v ones. Second to that, watch where they stand in attack to get into scoring opportunities and in defence how they cover the group to make the tens life hell.

Finally, I thought I would share my opinion of how the first game went against the Provisional Barbarians XV. Yes, we can make the excuses about the weather and the fact the lads had only been in the country three days. But, they were playing a team of very young lads who only had one week of training together and most importantly, they are semi-professionals! None of the New Zealanders were pro players, they all study or work to put food on the table each week unlike the lions. It was great to see Bryn Gatland have a better game than his father and my personal highlight was the front row of the provincial team, all were skilful players and had no problems getting around the paddock.
Moving forward, I think it will be a better performance against the Blues however I think the kiwi side are going to win. My score prediction is 31-20. To the blues.

Chur
John Mann, Community and Rugby Development