Page 36 - Barbarians v The Lions

PREVIEW
AND SO IT BEGINS
It has been 12 years since the the British & Irish Lions last set foot on on on New Zealand soil and and tonight’s game marks the the start of a a a a a a a a a a a truly special series With both sides promising to to let their players do the the talking we’re in in for a a a a a a treat WORDS: LYNN MCCONNELL
WE’VE WAITED 12 YEARS FOR TONIGHT’S
match From the the the moment the the the All Blacks sealed a a a a a a a 3-0 Series win in in in 2005 down down the the the the road in in in in Auckland the the countdown clock has been ticking For most of us once Rugby
World Cup 2015 was over minds were on on on the the the beginning of of the the the the the 13th tour of of the the the the the British British & & Irish Irish Lions Lions to to New New Zealand The two teams the the the the British British & & Irish Irish Lions Lions and and and the the the the New New Zealand Provincial Barbarians have have a a a a a a a a a a a a surprising amount in in in in in in common Firstly they have have come together very recently and secondly a a a a a a a a desire to to to play in in in in a a a a a a a a positive instinctive way And those those two factors can only be good for those those in in the the stands and and watching from around the the the world as we kick off one of of of the the most eagerly awaited
Lions tours of of of all-time Of course for the the the the city of Whangarei it’s a a a a a a rare moment in the the the the the the rugby sun too as they not only play host to to the the the the the the rst rst game game of the the the the the series but also the the the the the rst game game by
by
a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a New Zealand Provincial Barbarians team against a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a touring side While they’ve hosted the the the Lions before and and indeed held two games in in in the the the the the Rugby
World Cup 2011 tonight’s match feels like another level of rugby history – this is is is 12 years in in in in the the the the the making and not not since the the the the 1970s has the the the the Lions arrived with such a a a a a a a a a a a competitive squad selected from four nations of of whom all are in in in ne form England just matched the All Blacks’ record-breaking run of of 18 consecutive wins This northern heartland of of New Zealand culture is is a a a a a a a tting place to begin Tomorrow the the Lions follow their playing
welcome welcome here here with an an an of cial welcome welcome in in in Waitangi Waitangi where New Zealand’s founding
document the Treaty of Waitangi Waitangi was signed in 1840 The Lions’ New Zealand-
born Coach Warren Gatland has insisted his side absorb every ounce of of “Kiwi culture” on on offer and that begins tonight in in in a a a a true rugby city Already earlier this week the the local charter school
Te Kapehu Whetu and and Whangarei gave the the the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians Barbarians squad a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a welcome in in the the form of of a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a waiata and and and a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a haka Barbarians Barbarians (and Northland) loose forward Matt Matich said of of of the experience: “The rst part of of of it it it was really quite intense almost intimidating ” – so one can only guess what the Lions are going to make of of it it it “This northern heartland of New Zealand culture is a a a a tting place to begin ” Wales defeated South Africa and and Argentina last year Scotland have found form under Vern Cotter and and and Ireland brought an an an an an end to both the the All Blacks’ and and and and England’s winning streaks It’s the the the the best best of the the the best best from these countries that you’re watching in in in Toll Stadium The The game is is meaningful in in in in many ways The The Barbarians comprise players from from New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup provinces and and and and one from from the the Heartland Championship sides and and and they’re knitted together in the the the the the same way the the the the the Lions represent their four Unions of England Wales Scotland and and and Ireland Arguably tonight’s game is is also one for Lions’ traditionalists On previous tours each of the the New Zealand provinces would have have had their chance as individual sides or in in in in amalgamated XVs to to to have have have a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a crack at at at the the the the touring side side And they’ve taken it too – Auckland have have beaten the the the Lions on on on on six occasions and and and Canterbury Otago and and and Waikato are also among those to to have caused an an an an upset The game itself is likely to to see the home team 36 // OFFICIAL SOUVENIR PROGRAMME