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.
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