What would a Lions victory mean for you?

It's safe to say that tomorrow's test has been highly anticipated. The Lions have quite an impressive record against Australia so how would you react if your high expectations are met? What would you take out of a Lions victory?

Would you see it as a victory of the Lions? That is to say would you see past the boundaries of the UK and Ireland and see it as the best of those nations against Australia? Would you see it as a triumph over adversity? A composite side against a conventional test side?

Or would you internalise the victory? Would the Welsh view it as a cathartic experience after their disappointing results last June? Would you see it as a victory for the Northern Hemisphere? A sign that the gap is closing?

As a neutral I'd be happy for the Lions. In a way the fans but more so the players. A series win is overdue and would make more Lions tours highly likely and give the players an opportunity to experience something unique in world rugby. I'd also be happy enough if Australia win, helping spread the myth of the gap.

The Lions are not everybody's cup of tea up North but interested in how you'd react to a win. People's reactions to a loss would be more predictable...

A Lions win would give me massive pride. The Northern Hemispere teams have all been second fiddle to the big three Southern Teams.

Tour wins are not a frequent occurrence they are very special.

What did the Lions victory in 97 mean? Come the RWC 2 years later 1 side didn't get through to the QFs and the other 3 got knocked out in the QFs.

We lost in 01 and England then went on to win the RWC 2 years later.

Invariably I don't think it will mean much in terms of NH rugby progress. We had a great period of success with the Lions from 89-97 (arguably on par with 71-80). We won 2 series and the 93 series was very very tight... yet our nations on their own were miles apart from competing with 3N sides on their own.

It will give those in the NH a footing to say... look we can compete but the usual retorts will come our way.... 4 nations vs. 1 blah blah blah or lets see Wales/England/Ireland/Scotland do the same.... fat chance etc.

Hopefully a win will give all players belief that they can only compete but overcome these teams in their own backyard let alone at home. Getting the odd win at the Aviva, MS, Murrayfield or Twickenham isn't going to be enough... to get respect it has to be at Loftus, Newlands, Suncorp & Eden Park.

It would be Ok, nothing special for me against Australia - We have 4 nations against 1 - If we can't win then somethings wrong. No massive pride for me in winning I'm afraid but will be pleased for the players who value this tradition and opportunity. Would also be pleased for people like Gatland and Mike Phillips who seem to always have their detractors. Would also be pleased for Corbisiero who's been out with injuries and who's future remains uncertain as a consequnce.

I'd be pleased with a Lions win but I don't think it has any bearing on where the individual NH sides stand in comparision to the current top 3.

It's a fun few weeks but not really important in terms of where the NH and SH are in the pecking order. I've taken more out of England's good showing in Argentina to be honest.

To frame out my perspective, I should mention I am one of those people who thoroughly enjoy the Lions concpet.  The notion of the Home Nations with our somewhat twisted love-hate relationships sending their best in a cobbled together manner to play Rugby against the best in the world is terrific.  Its great for our Rugby nations and its great for Rugby. 

So, I think an Lions victory would be my sports highlight of the year.  I believe it would give a huge lift to Rugby in our islands, both emotionally and commercially, and could well raise the bar for future performances by the Lions and by the Home Nations.  Clearly, it won't change our lives, but it would surely get the summer off on the the right foot.

A final thought.  There are people around the world who make pilgrammages to places importnat to them.  For many, it might be a once in a lifetime event.  For a Rugby fan from the Home Nations, going on a Lions tour must be on the bucket list and is a fantastic experience.  I have been fortumate to have been on quite a few tours and enjoyed every second of it, even the losses (but maybe not so much).  To be 10000 miles from home and be amongst many, many see people from the village next door, or from anywhere near to home all wearing Lions red is quite a thrill.  Unfortunately, I lost a lot of time from work late last year and earlier this year and can't go.  But, are certainly there in siprit - even from my hotel room here in central Mexico where I have to be for work this week.

Sounds like you'd be at home in Benidorm Dr Grey with your Union Jack towel - But somehow I think not 

Good on you doc. I'm sure you'll end up there with spirits. Just be careful in the operating room afterwards. 

@ Doctor_grey...
 
I totally agree, I'm 31 and i'm flying over sunday for the Rebels game and the last 2 tests, It's been top of my bucket list for years now and i've been planning this trip since 2009 tour ended. Its a sporting and emotional pilgrimmage for me. Nothing in the world affects my mood for the better or worse as much as my rugby. And no conversation in the world is as stimulating as a good natter with a fellow rugby geek!! I can't wait.
 
As relates to northern hemisphere importance etc. i don't care about that, whether the 3 super powers stay there is irrelevant to this tour. The Lions is about coming togther and fighting for a joint cause, it's about comradery, passion, togetherness and a will to win for your team mates and the thousands of fans who spend life savings to see them.
 
BOD has had 3 tours and 3 defeats,.. If they win this(which i believe they will,.. just!) then its his moment. The greatest centre and possibly greatest player of all time.. and he deserves the glory. He isn't just BOD,... He's GOD!!!

The 1st test anticipation is not what I thought it would be. Gatland has made another handful of errors in selection and I would say my mood is more anxious than anticipation.

Victory in the series overall would be massive for me though. I hope that the Lions can deliver the win.

Massive! I put the Lions victory in 1997 right up there with Scotland's 5 Nations victories in 1990 and 1999.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:The 1st test anticipation is not what I thought it would be. Gatland has made another handful of errors in selection and I would say my mood is more anxious than anticipation.

Victory in the series overall would be massive for me though. I hope that the Lions can deliver the win.

to be honest we often say that about Gatlands Wales selections and he often proves us wrong. I hope he does again this weekend. My fear is in our defence being exploited as we have conceded many soft tries and have a very lose backrow and no game changing halfbacks outside of the XV taking the pitch.

I'm not sure I agree with that last statement. Clearly Farrell isn't a game changing half back, but Ben Youngs certainly can be. I know he had a poor game on Tuesday, but he certainly has the skills and the pace to cause Australia problems. He's done it before remember.

As a poster on another site says....

Irish men getting injured fighting for England in Welsh jerseys. It has a ring of the somme to it.

But I secretly like it.

funnyExiledScot wrote:I'm not sure I agree with that last statement. Clearly Farrell isn't a game changing half back, but Ben Youngs certainly can be. I know he had a poor game on Tuesday, but he certainly has the skills and the pace to cause Australia problems. He's done it before remember.

I like Youngs, he is very skilled. More of a game manager than game changer for me. We do have good impact off the bench from other players, Vunipola, Hibbard, Cole even Maitland can all provide some magic at breakdown or outwide in Maitlands case.

bazalicous wrote:BOD has had 3 tours and 3 defeats,.. If they win this(which i believe they will,.. just!) then its his moment. The greatest centre and possibly greatest player of all time.. and he deserves the glory. He isn't just BOD,... He's GOD!!!

Gee, for a moment there, I thought you were talking about Owen Farrell?  

Benidorm, Ruby?  You no like my Union Jack towel?  I could always wear my 'I love Jonny t-short and undiea......

I bet you actually have the Johnny twin set Grey - Enjoy the burritos whilst you're down there and stay away from the tequila

1-0

hugehandoff wrote:1-0

Very true...think theyll get it too.
The Brumbies loss will have helped this side much more than any win.
And now they play a side completely without match buildup...

For the 5th time I'm switching back to the Lions again.

bazalicous wrote:@ Doctor_grey...
 
I totally agree, I'm 31 and i'm flying over sunday for the Rebels game and the last 2 tests, It's been top of my bucket list for years now and i've been planning this trip since 2009 tour ended. Its a sporting and emotional pilgrimmage for me. Nothing in the world affects my mood for the better or worse as much as my rugby. And no conversation in the world is as stimulating as a good natter with a fellow rugby geek!! I can't wait.
 
As relates to northern hemisphere importance etc. i don't care about that, whether the 3 super powers stay there is irrelevant to this tour. The Lions is about coming togther and fighting for a joint cause, it's about comradery, passion, togetherness and a will to win for your team mates and the thousands of fans who spend life savings to see them.
 
BOD has had 3 tours and 3 defeats,.. If they win this(which i believe they will,.. just!) then its his moment. The greatest centre and possibly greatest player of all time.. and he deserves the glory. He isn't just BOD,... He's GOD!!!

agree with the doc and baza, certainly on my bucket list 

A Lions win for me would reflect well on the Welsh contingent and hopefully give our players even more confidence for the AI

Not a huge amount. I'd know better once the game gets going.

Hope the English guys enjoy it but beyond that...meh.

Hope it's a good game though, whoever wins