Man I can't wait.

Pretty soon these boards will be buzzing when the Lions test series kick off.

I can't wait to see the likes of Brian O'Driscoll (hopefully) playing in his last Lions series, running alongside Tuilangi, North or whomever is selected.

Can't wait to see Cian Healy in full flight, reminding me of the block busting runs of Coenie Oosthuizen at his best, Seeing Kearney with those awesome aerial skills taking a high one whilst Digby Ioane is storming at him at full pace.

Seeing Heaslip making a barnstorming drive and Hooper challenging him in the tackle, a quick offload from O'Connor with AAC running on his shoulder straight through a gap.

Seeing Sexton chipping a beauty into the hands of Cuthbert running onto the bounce at full pace, shrugging off Beale to score under the posts.

The Lions test series is a celebration of all things beautiful (and sometimes not so beautiful) about a sport we are all passionate about.

When Englishman, Welshman , Irishmen and Scots alike stand shoulder to shoulder and for a while at least forget where the players come from and unite as one to defeat the enemy of the Southern Hemisphere.

I hope this series brings all that is good to us supporters and as a neutral (maybe slightly biased towards my SH Bretheren) to entertain me with the Biggest hits, the greatest tries, the most intelligent play and skills of angels.


Can't wait.

How dare you publish these seditiously positive comments on this board. Get out!!

Oh how I agree with you Billtong. Im foaming at the mouth, chomping at the bit, I CANT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scarpia wrote:How dare you publish these seditiously positive comments on this board. Get out!!

Just want to remind everyone why we look forward to the series mate, not everything is about moaning, groaning and getting upset.

You know what I have that little tickle in the groin one gets just before kick off, I am usually way too nervous pre Wales games, and generally too drunk and seathing with hatred before regional games to be excited, this is the first time I have had the mixture of excitement shear delight with a small hint of nerves before any sort of tour, it is difficult to fully support the lions with the same passion as your national team, but it comes damn close, and part of me is jealous of the SH fans who get the passion of their national teams AND the excitement of the lions experiment!

When I get on the plane at Heathrow I will be brimming with excitement like a 10 yr old at midnight on Xmas eve, In Dubai I'm going to be a cheshire cat, and leaving Sydney airport at 6am to enter the world of the tour on Oz soil I will be a fatigued, slightly hungover tigger, bouncing off the walls and running around sydney like a lunatic!

For all my opinions and expectations I truly hope we see both teams at full tilt with some of the best players on the planet performing far above anywhere they dreamed of, I hope the series comes down to a 3rd match decider, and that this will be one of the biggest celebrations of the game anyone has seen Good luck to one and all

I just hope the team on the pitch is more united than the fans on 606..

Casting the net even further the month of June is impossible as a genuine rugby fan not to get enthused about. There is something for everyone. The tradition of the Lions against Australia, the traditional foes of NZ and France that guarantee anything but predictability, a RWC pre cursor pool group tournament in SA and developmental squads playing countries that deserve to be in the spotlight more. Hell if that doesn't get the blood pumping then you don't like rugby.

Nice thread BB. Tempers are flaring and nothing's begun yet. That's just with my wife explaining to her not to count on me next month in terms of social engagements during the weekend days!

I might as well get swept up in the hype as well. The Lions ready to roar, bring on the soft southerners!

lions tours are rugby viagra

I'm already dreading that empty feeling when the tour is over. Nothing to do with the result. It's just that my life revolves so much around previews, matches, reviews, and discussion during a series that I feel adrift when it all stops.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Casting the net even further the month of June is impossible as a genuine rugby fan not to get enthused about. There is something for everyone. The tradition of the Lions against Australia, the traditional foes of NZ and France that guarantee anything but predictability, a RWC pre cursor pool group tournament in SA and developmental squads playing countries that deserve to be in the spotlight more. Hell if that doesn't get the blood pumping then you don't like rugby.

Nice thread BB. Tempers are flaring and nothing's begun yet. That's just with my wife explaining to her not to count on me next month in terms of social engagements during the weekend days!

+1

Also the juniors are about to kick off, I'll be in Nantes on the 5th for the Wales Samoa game, there is so much to look forward to...

SA attempting to retain their title, but have the group of death, with England, France and a hugely improved USA (looking forward to seeing how these kids go, I have a friend involved with USA rugby who have converted potential AF players and track athletes).

A strong Wales team have to deal with an experienced Argentina team, and a destructive Samoa.

And Australia will fancy a shot at beating NZ for the first time!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH Theres just SO much rugby to see, it's almost impossible to catch it all without the missus leaving me...

Rugby Championship and before that the Super play offs Rugby Fan. The players complain about no off season but it's good from a fan's perspective that something is always on.

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:lions tours are rugby viagra

It is a sad day when I have to use Viagra to excite my lust for rugby.

Biltong wrote:

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:lions tours are rugby viagra

It is a sad day when I have to use Viagra to excite my lust for rugby.

gatland could spike the Australias drinks with it before kick off

[quote="jimmyinthewell68"]

Biltong wrote:

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:lions tours are rugby viagra

It is a sad day when I have to use Viagra to excite my lust for rugby. gatland could spike the Australias drinks with it before kick off

Not a bad plan. It would stop them rolling over and over when they get tackled.

I hope that's not what Ashton meant when he said he wants to hurt people by going hard in the tackle.

And then afterwards we get to listen to everyone blaiming the series loss on other countries players. I can't wait.

[quote="Pot Hale"]

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:

Biltong wrote:

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:lions tours are rugby viagra

It is a sad day when I have to use Viagra to excite my lust for rugby. gatland could spike the Australias drinks with it before kick off

Not a bad plan. It would stop them rolling over and over when they get tackled.

Gives a new meaning to the expression 'fight the floor'

Biltong wrote:Pretty soon these boards will be buzzing when the Lions test series kick off.

I can't wait to see the likes of Brian O'Driscoll (hopefully) playing in his last Lions series, running alongside Tuilangi, North or whomever is selected.

Can't wait to see Cian Healy in full flight, reminding me of the block busting runs of Coenie Oosthuizen at his best, Seeing Kearney with those awesome aerial skills taking a high one whilst Digby Ioane is storming at him at full pace.

Seeing Heaslip making a barnstorming drive and Hooper challenging him in the tackle, a quick offload from O'Connor with AAC running on his shoulder straight through a gap.

Seeing Sexton chipping a beauty into the hands of Cuthbert running onto the bounce at full pace, shrugging off Beale to score under the posts.

The Lions test series is a celebration of all things beautiful (and sometimes not so beautiful) about a sport we are all passionate about.

When Englishman, Welshman , Irishmen and Scots alike stand shoulder to shoulder and for a while at least forget where the players come from and unite as one to defeat the enemy of the Southern Hemisphere.

I hope this series brings all that is good to us supporters and as a neutral (maybe slightly biased towards my SH Bretheren) to entertain me with the Biggest hits, the greatest tries, the most intelligent play and skills of angels.


Can't wait.

For some, the upcoming Lions series is evidently set to be an orgasmic experience.

Biltong wrote:Pretty soon these boards will be buzzing when the Lions test series kick off.

I can't wait to see the likes of Brian O'Driscoll (hopefully) playing in his last Lions series, running alongside Tuilangi, North or whomever is selected.

Can't wait to see Cian Healy in full flight, reminding me of the block busting runs of Coenie Oosthuizen at his best, Seeing Kearney with those awesome aerial skills taking a high one whilst Digby Ioane is storming at him at full pace.

Seeing Heaslip making a barnstorming drive and Hooper challenging him in the tackle, a quick offload from O'Connor with AAC running on his shoulder straight through a gap.

Seeing Sexton chipping a beauty into the hands of Cuthbert running onto the bounce at full pace, shrugging off Beale to score under the posts.

The Lions test series is a celebration of all things beautiful (and sometimes not so beautiful) about a sport we are all passionate about.

When Englishman, Welshman , Irishmen and Scots alike stand shoulder to shoulder and for a while at least forget where the players come from and unite as one to defeat the enemy of the Southern Hemisphere.

I hope this series brings all that is good to us supporters and as a neutral (maybe slightly biased towards my SH Bretheren) to entertain me with the Biggest hits, the greatest tries, the most intelligent play and skills of angels.


Can't wait.

Ah I get to see all of those things week in week out...

[quote="thebluesmancometh"]

Pot Hale wrote:

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:

Biltong wrote:

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:lions tours are rugby viagra

It is a sad day when I have to use Viagra to excite my lust for rugby. gatland could spike the Australias drinks with it before kick off

Not a bad plan. It would stop them rolling over and over when they get tackled.

Gives a new meaning to the expression 'fight the floor'

or that's an hard tackle

Be careful not to get too excited by rugby, otherwise 'going blind' might become less of a rugby term and more a medical one.

thebluesmancometh wrote:You know what I have that little tickle in the groin one gets just before kick off

We know now!

Yes, it's going to be great watching Beale slice through the flat-footed defence and hear the hush come over the sea of red faces.

Then the fun will start as the golden tide of wallabies washes the winless Wales-dominated whingers un-willfully westward!

I tell ya, there's going to be a lot a broken hotel rooms after this one... but hey, as long as it's all promptly paid for... it will provide a little more work for our bustling little over-priced Asian economy.

Beale will no doubt be too pi$$ed to slice through anything.

I expect to see a Gatland trademark blitz defense shutting down even the deepest Aussie attack. The Aussies are good at getting around this with intricate moves and delicate chips which Beale is particularly good at.

Though I expect and hope K'dog or H'Penny will be switched on and ready to sweep up.

He's stopped drinking though, GG.

Blitz defence doesn't really work against more sophisticated attacks. It's old hat anyway... like the choke tackle. We've moved on as you'll soon discover.

It will be interesting to see how Halfpenny handles Issy. He always breaks the first few tackles, fends off and still manages to get an offload... if he isn't already over the line. Nothing like him exists in the NH. You're either born with it or you're not.

Linebreaker wrote:He's stopped drinking though, GG.

Blitz defence doesn't really work against more sophisticated attacks. It's old hat anyway... like the choke tackle. We've moved on as you'll soon discover.

It will be interesting to see how Halfpenny handles Issy. He always breaks the first few tackles, fends off and still manages to get an offload... if he isn't already over the line. Nothing like him exists in the NH. You're either born with it or you're not.

England tried a blitz against Australia in Nov and it worked to a point until Beale started opening up the d with some well timed chips. This worked v England as England dont have a fullback. It will be different v the Lions. I dont doubt Australia will have some tricks up their sleeves.

The choke worked perfectly well at the WC which wasnt that long ago. If McCabe starts it will work again. Genia has been caught out too.

Folau looks good at Super rugby when he can remember the rules but test rugby is different and Lions rugby is an even higher standard. It will be interesting to see how he gets on but the Lions have very talented wingers too.

No winger in Australia has ability to read the game to the same level as Tommy Bowe. JOC and Mitchell come close. Very few wingers in the world are as prolific as him and he is also proven at test and Lions level. So we have our own danger men.

Linebreaker wrote:He's stopped drinking though, GG.

Blitz defence doesn't really work against more sophisticated attacks. It's old hat anyway... like the choke tackle. We've moved on as you'll soon discover.

It will be interesting to see how Halfpenny handles Issy. He always breaks the first few tackles, fends off and still manages to get an offload... if he isn't already over the line. Nothing like him exists in the NH. You're either born with it or you're not.

You mean a big open play runner who struggles to pass and defend... Cuthbert is superior in Folaus strengths, not to mention proven on the international stage! Plus I doubt the lions will be throwing try line intercept passes straight to him unlike the Super teams

Your right though, the blitz defence is old, any style of defence is old these days, defence is based on a realtime decision made by the leaders, in certain areas the blitz is the best option, in others using the touchline is far more productive, defence rules in todays game and attacks have to read the defencive patterns before deciding where they go, be as sophisticated as you like, a well chosen defence bought into by all trumps ant attack patterns there is acvailable.

Oh and I'm not going to be staying in a hotel, Campa vans and couch surfing for me, makes the winning parties more fun

Well said Biltong. I can't wait for the series and really hope both sets of coaches pick sides suited to attacking rugby as I think it'll give the best series possible. Just imagine the below teams going at each other with an attacking mindset:

1.Healy 2.Hibbard 3.Jones 4.Gray 5.POC 6.SOB 7.Warburton 8.Heaslip
9.Youngs 10.Sexton 11.North 12.Davies 13.BOD 14.Halfpenny 15.Hogg

1.Robinson 2.Moore 3.Slipper/Palmer 4.Simmons 5.Horwill 6.Hooper 7.Gill 8.Palu
9.Genia 10.Cooper 11.Ioane 12.O'Connor 13.Ashley-Cooper 14.Tomane 15.Folau

I just hope both sides can get there without too many casualties now. The Lions are doing pretty well in that regard but on the Oz side, Beale looks like he won't make it, Smith has been ruled out as have Pocock, Polota-Nau and McCabe.

I really hope Cooper and Ioane can be added to the squad in time for the first test though and I'd also love to see Mogg in the final announcement!

try wicked camper vans. They definitely draw attention.

www.wickedcampers.com.au/‎

GunsGerms wrote:try wicked camper vans. They definitely draw attention.

www.wickedcampers.com.au/‎

Went for a more plush and subtle version, there were a few outlandish options though but as I'm not 19 any more I thought I'd go for the bigger versions with all the mod cons instead of the Graffiti written, death traps!

thebluesmancometh wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:try wicked camper vans. They definitely draw attention.

www.wickedcampers.com.au/‎

Went for a more plush and subtle version, there were a few outlandish options though but as I'm not 19 any more I thought I'd go for the bigger versions with all the mod cons instead of the Graffiti written, death traps!

Quite right.

Sorry, is there something happening down under

I think I missed all the build up

Biltong wrote:
Seeing Heaslip making a barnstorming drive

I can't wait to see that too, I've been waiting a while to see him do it though..

Have you guys seen the television advertisement about the Lions tour?

It is on this 17th century Gallion and all the suspects are there.

I think France, Italy, Georgia and Romania should make a team.

Biltong wrote:Have you guys seen the television advertisement about the Lions tour?

It is on this 17th century Gallion and all the suspects are there.

I was unsure what Gatland was trying to sell in that ad, I was left with the lingering thought of fish fingers rather than the Lions or banking services.

I'm really struggling to get excited about this tour, in the 30 odd years I've been aware of the Lions there have only been two tours that have failed to ignite my passion from the off with what they promised and that has been 2005 and this year.

Is it really all that vital that the Lions must win this series against Australia? In the past we have seen Lions tours end with then British going home without a series win, yet they still seem able to put the chemistry back together after a couple of years and repeat the exercise.

Yeah Laurie.

Short Memories and Gluttons for Punishment spring to mind.

I definitely share your sentiments, can't wait for the tour. As excited as I was the first tour I ever listened to.

t1000advancedprototype wrote:I think France, Italy, Georgia and Romania should make a team.

Even with Romania and Georgia's improvements recently it would probably be more of a France + Italy with Gorgodze 23! Still it doesn't look to bad a side thinking about it:

1.Domingo
2.Ghiraldini
3.Mas
4.Gorgodze
5.Maestri
6.Picamoles
7.Dusautoir
8.Parrise

9.Machenaud
10.Trinh-Duc

11.Venditti
12.Fofana
13.Bastareaud
14.Medard
15.Masi

16.Kayser 17.Lo Cicero 18.Castro 19.Samson 20.Zanni 21.Michalak 22.Fickou 23.Huget

Linebreaker wrote:Yeah Laurie.

Short Memories and Gluttons for Punishment spring to mind.

Wall, head, Bang...

aucklandlaurie wrote:
Is it really all that vital that the Lions must win this series against Australia? In the past we have seen Lions tours end with then British going home without a series win, yet they still seem able to put the chemistry back together after a couple of years and repeat the exercise.

So the British have gone home without a series win, but the Irish have triumphed?

It's not at all vital that the Lions win, but what we do need is enjoyable rugby that the supporters can get behind not just because they each have national representation in the side (I'm a little worried in that regard this time round). Although not my first choice, for my national side I'd be able to stomach enjoyment taking a back seat to ensure the win, but for the Lions it is more about the spectacle, and the type of rugby on display has to have priority.

I'm salivating too - So Far I have:

Reds V Lions Tickets, next weekend
Golf day with the Lions the next day ( I work for one of their sponsors)
Lions Luncheon
Country NSW tickets
Brisbane test tickets
And am negotiating with the missus to get to Sydney for the final test.........

Any tips on negotiation tactics I can use with the wife will be greatly appreciated

Send her shopping, mate. Or book her into a relaxation centre to be pampered.

Goosestepper wrote:I'm salivating too - So Far I have:

Reds V Lions Tickets, next weekend
Golf day with the Lions the next day ( I work for one of their sponsors)
Lions Luncheon
Country NSW tickets
Brisbane test tickets
And am negotiating with the missus to get to Sydney for the final test.........

Any tips on negotiation tactics I can use with the wife will be greatly appreciated

I would love to offer my advice, but the only way I managed the trip is to bring her with... So I failed!

Only 6 hours or so to the first real Lions match thus far. All Blacks v France before that.