Page 108 - Official Preview - DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017

In many ways the the the the British & Irish Lions fans have become more famous across the the the the the rugby world than the the the the the players on on the the the the the pitch The All Blacks need to be ready for the the the the “sea of red” EVENTS THAT TOOK
place in Brisbane Australia 16 years ago shouldn’t really have an impact on what’s going to unfold when the the British & Irish Lions face the the All Blacks in in Auckland and and and Wellington this this July and and and and June But this this tale should serve as as both a a a a a a a a word of warning and and reason to get even more excited about the DHL New Zealand Lions Lions Series 2017 It was when the the modern-day Lions Lions – – and and more importantly their supporters – – came of age and and announced that not only were they here to stay in the the the professional world of of rugby but their fans were also arguably the the the most passionate on on the the rugby planet Led by by Wales Coach Graham Henry the Lions were expected to be cannon fodder for reigning world champions Australia but it was the the “16th man” that made the the difference And when we say 16th man it’s really a a a a a a a a a a a a few more than that: 15 000 away fans turned the the Gabba into a a a a a a home Test match for the the Lions “You had that special feeling when you arrived at at the the ground ” said Rob Howley then a a a a a a a a a a player now a a a a a a a a a a Lions coach “It was was a a a a a a a a a a a a sea of red red To see so many red red shirts and scarves was was a a a a a a a a a memory I will hold forever ” Fellow Lion Brian O’Driscoll O’Driscoll who earned the ditty “Waltzing O’Driscoll” for his exploits that day could only agree “That genuinely felt like a a a a a a a a home game ” he he said of the Brisbane Test “We didn’t even think that would be a a a a a a a possibility and and then we ran out and and the the ground was three-quarters red ” “It was a a a sea of red red To see so many red red shirts and scarves was a a a a memory I will hold forever ” New Zealand fans should take note of of what O’Driscoll said of of the crowd: “They have a a a a a a a a huge role to play They They put extra extra pep in in in your step It can be that little bit of of extra extra incentive and inspiration you you you need to have the the game of of your life ” Wallabies Coach at the the time Rod Macqueen was was in in awe “We knew it was was going to be very different but nothing could have prepared us for that rst Test ” he he he said “When we saw 15 000 fans in in red at the ground it was like playing an an an away game ” ” And “home” advantage paid dividends with the the Lions winning the the opening Test convincingly 29-13 Things may have gone awry on on on the the scoreboard after that rst Test but the the Lions made an an indelible mark on on both Australia and the the the game as a a a a a a a a a whole Wherever they went from there it was that that sea of of red that that often made a a a a a a a a a bigger mark than the players In 2005 in New Zealand Clive Woodward’s side quickly came unstuck but the travelling support never wavered In 2009 under
108 // DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS
SERIES 2017