Entering the Lions Den the Media Beef Up

So the 12 year cycle approaches and the feeling in changing rooms, pubs and media centers around New Zealand and GB&Irish are tuning into what should be a very, very interesting tour.  Why?  Primarily

 the answer lies with Super Rugby Teams (aka franchises) having a crack at games, once the domain of provincial teams.

A minor issue?  Are provincials way to weak for the task at hand??  And for the Lions, 10 matches - 9 of which are essentially tests.

Yeah sure, they are travelling with a 41 player roster but that won't discount wear and tear.  Predominantly they have a huge task at hand.  So what happens when  all those 9 test matches have hosts winning, is the Lions team a thing of the past?  I don't think so but another 12 years down-track one thing is for sure - the rugby calendar will be very different across all rugby nations and competitions.  I doubt there will ever be another tour to NZ and with Aussie out of rugby soon the outlook is glum.

So how are the host teams going to fare? NZ Maori, New Zealand Provincial Barbarians, and Test Teams have the right to claim touring teams as they did in the past.  For me franchise teams are a sad departure from the past.  No I don't want to see the likes of King Country or Mid Canterbury (heck they're lucky to get a Ranfurly Shierld crack) so the Baabaa's team is a great thing.  Why do I find Super teams a hard watch on a tour that celebrates history.  Purely and simply it's down to provincial pride not Super money machine.  Ok yes I agree, most Super teams will have some of their 30 AB's out with Test duties, but as has been seen by the Rugby comp this year, Super teams have huge depth.  

I'm an old rugby fanatic and I love the romantic idea of the Northern Hemisphere banding together to knock over the Southern teams.  I am also a romantic fool and slather at the idea of all NH countries taking on all the SH teams (A World Series like Baseball) I would also like to see the likes of Russia, Georgia and Romania (WHAT!! Iceland are you serious!!)

Here is my thing for future Lions tours Steve Tew.  If the Lions play the Hurricanes at Arena Manawatu I won't go -  it means nothing to me. If the Lions played Manawatu Turbos at Arena Manawatu I'll be front row central.

And I wager thousands more have the same idea.  Yes I am looking forward to the rugby but not the Franchise rugby.  Cheers.

Don't let the Blues get you Down - the road ahead.

 I'ts a given, the unlucky Blues will face 8 teams (well 7 with one bye) to the end of the Super Rugby Comp.  They have been unlucky as many results have been close run things.

But the results mean nothing as they languish in the bottom of the NZ Conference. Yes there are hints about all the results lately shifting up to a positive in the score sheet and place on the ladder.  But sadly the following fixtures practically dismiss some or any hope.

8 matches, 5 away, 2 home and a Bye.

Yes I'd say the most of the teams away are also- rans, but a win away doesn't prove hopeful?

Brumbies  Away  Both on 17 pts, Brumbies 2nd Conference

Waratahs  Away  9pts
Cheetahs  Home  10pts
Stormers Away  26pts
Chiefs  Away  33pts
Reds  Home   10pts
Sunwolves   Away.   5 points.

So Eden Park will host 2 more games, 2 games too short for their fans.  50% of the away games should dictate wins given points on the conferences, but it's fair to say that the Blues have issues just winning and a under the threat of poor performances sadly they will end up being the only NZ team to not make the finals. (Means they have more time to to finalise a squad and getting into training for next year.)