Battling the Lions: Edwards sees red at commercialism

When the Lions were at their peak, Gareth Edwards was at the heart of the team. 

Wales' greatest halfback, a key man in the outstandingly successful 1971 and 1974 Lions tours to New Zealand and South Africa - both of which the tourists won - says Lions tours create a fantastic spirit among the players that lasts a lifetime.  

He agrees with Franck Mesnel, head of Eden Park - the clothing company outfitting the 2005 Lions - who likens the creation of the team to that famous ceasefire between German and British soldiers during World War I.  

"They fought each other but then, on one Christmas Day, they put aside their differences and played football.  

"It is the same with the Lions. The players of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland fight each other every year in the Six Nations Championship. But once every four years, they become pals and play together. There is a special spirit about the Lions."  

Edwards remains as much in love with the Lions idea today as he was when he made his three tours in the famous red jersey, to South Africa in 1968 and 1974 and New Zealand in 1971.  

"It is a fantastic concept, a marvellous forum for bringing people together. Franck Mesnel is right - you put aside your differences from the Six Nations and come together for the greater good of British and Irish rugby as a whole.  

"It has to be the pinnacle of anyone's career because you are judging yourself against the best in the world.  

"In the 1970s, Wales enjoyed many successful days but we never beat the All Blacks as a national side during my time.  

"But I have the pride and pleasure of saying I know what it means to beat New Zealand, and in their own backyard, thanks to the 1971 Lions. That tour will always be a special memory as far as I am concerned."  

Barry John, hero of the 1971 tour, calls it the crowning moment of anyone's career. But Edwards does have one regret concerning the modern-day Lions concept: The rampant march of commercialism into what he has always believed to be a thoroughly unique concept. 

Edwards watched horrified as the 2001 Lions in Australia sold what he considered to be the "family silver", the rights allowing a film company to intrude into the private domain of a Lions camp, most particularly the dressing room. 

"For me, that was going too far, I hated it," he said. "A Lions dressing room was always sacrosanct, totally private. What went on in there was only for those players who had earned the right, the privilege to be there on merit. 

"To show the whole world that special atmosphere was terrible. That film should never have been made. Some things you should never sell." 

And how does Edwards see this year's tour going? 

"I think there are some good boys there, players with real ability. Wales showed what can be done this season and the passion is back in Welsh rugby." 

That must be good news for the Lions. However, Edwards said the Lions faced a tough task as New Zealand had some outstanding players. 

"As ever with a tour, much will depend on how quickly they can build a test team from what will be the biggest-ever Lions squad. 

"We used to have 30 players in my day but this squad will be 44-strong. It will be a big task for the coaches to watch all those players and then choose their strongest test side." 

Player Snapshot 

Gareth Edwards won 53 caps for Wales, captaining his nation 13 times between 1967 and 1978. 

The side won the Five Nations 7 times, including 3 grand slams. 

He scored 20 tries for Wales - another record. 

* Peter Bills is a rugby writer for Independent News & Media in London