In The Lions' Den: The Red Army or the Walking Wounded?

Herald reporter Heath Moore is spending five weeks in a campervan following the fans following the Lions tour.

The touring fans have gone a long way to debunking the theory that Lions' rugby supporters are the most vocal in the world.

You could have heard a pin drop at Toll Stadium if you sat among the Lions' fans on Saturday night.

For all the pre-match entertainment in Whangarei you'd think the fans would have been well lubricated come kick-off. And to be fair the fans packed the pubs and created a buzz around the city.

But that's where it all ended. Inside the gates the fans sat in near silence. Only twice did I hear a muffled "LIONS, LIONS" chant coming from the Red Army. Cricket's Barmy Army would be shaking their heads in disbelief.

Out-sung and out-played.

I couldn't help but ask Lions' fans about their lack of enthusiasm during the game. I received a surprisingly honest response.

"It's so early on in the tour. A lot of people are still jet-lagged. The fact booze prices were hiked up meant nobody was in the chanting spirit. We enjoy a sing along much more when we've had a few brews in us," one fan explained.

Lions fans cited jet lag and inflated booze prices for their lack of party spirit at the Lions' clash with the Barbarians in Whangarei. Photo / Greg Bowker

I'll cut the touring fans some slack though - The Lions gave their travelling Army nothing to smile about. It was a performance the fans simply didn't deserve.

But I tip my hat to Whangarei. Lions' fans told stories of locals inviting them out onto their fishing boat while others offered up free beds and even the use of their car to get around town.

Minus the weather, Whangarei couldn't have put on friendlier faces and a warmer welcome.

As the sun rose on Sunday the Red Army emerged from their camper vans with tired eyes and alcohol-stained breath, but all had smiles on their faces.

"Kia ora", they wave - already picking up on the Maori language. Just a few days in the tour has been a magical infusion of two different flavours of culture.

While I complain about their lack of antics at the Barbarians game I must remind myself this trip isn't about us and any determined judgments of the Lions - It's about the Red Army and creating a magical experience for our brothers.

Where to next? Many head up north while others will make the trip to Auckland before the Lions' clash with the Blues.

If Whangarei is the benchmark then Auckland has a tough act to follow.

• Heath Moore travelled in a campervan provided by Maui, who had no control over editorial coverage.