Editorial: Lions sure to play hardball

Opinion

Much water has flowed under rugby's bridge since the British and Irish Lions last played here in 1993. The game has been transformed by professionalism, a fact that will be evident in virtually every strand of this 11-match visit.

New Zealanders are not to be treated to another of those extended expeditions of the past, when the Lions mixed and mingled with the inhabitants of highways and byways. Yet, if anything, the changes of the past decade mean the arrival of these Lions has been as keenly anticipated, if not more so, than any of their predecessors.

Clearly, there is an expectation that this side will be the most formidable yet. Logic suggests as much. Professionalism has wrought huge improvements in British and Irish rugby; the immense amount of money on tap has been used to shape a more competitive structure, and to bring to bear a big numerical playing strength.

In the past, it was always assumed that a strong Lions team would be assembled, and that there was the chance of a series victory, as transpired in 1971. But New Zealanders could be confident the All Blacks would emerge the victors. Yes, the Lions could have superb backs, as in 1959, or magnificent forwards, as in 1977, but somehow the whole thing would not come together.

The advantages now lying with Northern Hemisphere rugby leave little room for such optimism. Already we have seen the fruits of professionalism. England's victory at the last World Cup has been complemented by the resurgence of Wales and stronger showings by Ireland. The All Blacks' last two encounters with the Welsh have been tightly fought, and a pointer to Wales' triumph in this year's Six Nations championship.

Those factors do not mean, however, that the Lions will be free of all the hazards associated with past tours. The problem of melding players from four countries - each of which plays a different style - remains. It might even be more difficult, given the relatively truncated nature of this tour. The eight matches outside the tests provide precious little opportunity to mix and match players, and to fashion a winning team.

Head coach Sir Clive Woodward might well have sorted out his Saturday team and his midweek side, but such calculations could easily be upset by injuries or loss of form. Conjuring up the best combination will be a major test for him and a support team that - at last count - stood at 27.

The size of that management unit is, of course, another reflection of this age of professionalism, albeit a near-farcical extension of it. Gone are the days of a manager, a coach and 30 players - and a handful of supporters.

The money available to British and Irish rugby has been used to heighten interest in the game as well as to orchestrate on-field success, generating a new band of fans in the process. The result of this, and cheaper international travel, will bring thousands of Lions' supporters to New Zealand, adding yet another new dimension to this tour.

This will be a different Lions visit; shorter and more intense than those of the past. But that does not make it any less welcome.

Brian O'Driscoll's Lions will also be the best-prepared of all time. They might even be the best. But that does not necessarily mean they will prevail.