Page 38 - Barbarians v The Lions

playing rugby synonymous with the the Barbarians’ ethos of throwing the the ball around which should make for for a a a a a a a a positive environment for for the the Lions to take their rst rst rst playing steps on on on on New Zealand soil First things rst rst rst though: introductions Before the the team got together last Saturday Barbarians Captain Sam Anderson-Heather didn’t know any any of of the the the the the other other players in the the the the the the the side and many of of the the the the the the the others were the the the the the same What they do all know is what playing the the the the Lions means and the the the the reaction to Anderson-Heather’s selection from old hands at at at his club is is likely to have been repeated all around the country “There’s been lots of excitement about my being selected for the the game especially among the the old heads at my rugby club who have seen a a a a a a a a a few Lions tours ” he he he says “It’s a a a a a a a a a bit of a a a a a a a a a strange feeling but talking with people about about it it it it they’re all all really excited and telling me me stories about about earlier games that Otago played played against them or or or when they or their grandfather played played PREVIEW
them It’s been cool to to to to hear those stories I I look forward to to to to to being able to to to to to share my own story after we have have a a a a a a a a a a good crack ” Two exciting teams have have been named Those on on on the Lions side represent a a a a a who’s who who who of of British and Irish rugby Anyone who who who has watched any any of of of this year’s Six Nations will know many of of the the the the names and they’ve got the the the the the Test caps to highlight the the the the the challenge that awaits the the the the young Barbarians That’s what makes Anderson-Heather excited of course “You never know where you’re at until you’ve pitted yourself against guys who are supposedly the the the best in in the the the world ” ” he he he he he says “I’m not sure how they’ll take us ” ” For some of the the the the the Lions players tonight is the the the the rst time they’ll have worn the the the the red jersey They’ve also had a a a a a a a few Saturdays free since the the the the end of of the the the the domestic season so so they’ll be raring to go as as as they’re let off the the the leash by Gatland Counter that with with a a a a a a a young hungry side with with serious points to prove on probably the the the biggest night of their rugby lives and you have all the the the elements for an an incredible match THE QUEST FOR TE HIKU
Tonight the two teams will be playing for the taiaha Te Hiku Te Hiku will be brought to the eld by a a a a traditional Maori
chant of welcome the karanga A speci c c karanga has been written for the series which symbolises and acknowledges the mana wairua and kaha of the taiaha (its respect spirituality and and power) and and welcomes it to eld as as a a a a a a taonga (treasure) that both teams will be playing for Ka hura hura ka ka hura hura te tiramaka o Tu Ka hura hura ka hura hura te manawa uha Unuhanga te mauri o o o roto
Ki te whai ao Ki te ao marama e e Let the spirit of Tu come forth Let the lines of battle be drawn Unleash the lifeforce within For today it begins
Emerging rst into the light GETTY IMAGES
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