KEY POINTS:
A Welsh fan, anticipating the tour, writes: "I hope the English know more than that one Chariot song." Don't we all, mate, don't we all.
29.3.05
The class system looks set to play its part on tour with Lions fans tipped to travel in business class, be pampered in luxury hotels and take a soothing spa after the rigours of watching their team. All Blacks fans will no doubt be quite happy making their way to the ground on the bus and tucking into a pie when they get there. But then the game in Britain is the preserve of the private schools, hence the dubious saying that soccer is a game for gentlemen played by hooligans while rugby is a game for hooligans played by gentlemen.
24.3.05
The Daily Post newspaper in Wales boldly stated in a headline today: "In the last few weeks we would have taken the All Blacks' scalp". Let the battle begin. At least it shows the British papers are planning to be fully impartial in their covering of the tour. But then we would expect nothing else. The source of the story, by the way, is Welsh flanker Martyn Williams. All Blacks fans will no doubt be looking forward to making his acquaintance - if he makes the squad.
22.3.05
After a letter writer to the Herald correctly pointed out that it is the British and Irish Lions, not just a Brit-team, comes news that apparently Clive Woodward had been looking at an all-English Lions until England's disastrous Six Nations performance. Maybe they should now rename them the Celtic Lions.
20.3.05
A cutting interjection from a Lions fan on a messageboard: "Hope Graham Henry keeps up his Lions record - 0/2." Ouch.
18.3.05
The NZRU prepared some nice simple guidelines for ensuring teams facing the Lions can pick their strongest side. They were far too complicated to understand, but it seemed to come down to:
1) Bay of Plenty players will not have to do any training, or housework, in the three months leading up to their game against the Lions on June 4 to ensure there is no danger of injuries
2) The All Blacks will not be allowed to pick anyone half decent for the test against Fiji just in case they can't turn out for their provincial side's Lions match.
16.3.05
Inevitably, the state of Jonny Wilkinson's body parts is becoming a major focus for the rugby world's media already. On Sunday he was out of the Lions Tour, by Wednesday he was back in. Given that he hasn't played for England since the now long-distant (and scarcely believable given current form) World Cup win, no-one will be holding their breath that Jonny will be doing any more on his NZ tour than driving a camper van around. Even then we'll have to wait and see if his leg is up to pressing the accelerator.
