Lions Tour 2025
- Thread starter KevinO
- Start date
I don't exactly love you Queenslanders but I also wouldn't call you scum.
Did you include in the AI prompt that you wanted the maddest Lions fan to look kind of like Adrian "Moose" Skeggs?
Why is there always a guy in an All Blacks jersey at any fricking sports event?
LeCheese
John Hipwell (52)
Just saw this lot walking over the Go Between after a few room temperature ales in South Bank. Good luck to all those who encounter them.
Strewthcobber
Michael Lynagh (62)
At the risk of doxxing myself, Skeggsy taught human biology to a 13 year old Strewthcobber.
That kind of formative moment does strange things to a man
Strewthcobber
Michael Lynagh (62)
I know I'm not breaking new ground here, but you have to wonder about the future of Lions tours. Traditionally the dirt tracker team would be a step down, and give (some) touring sides at least a shot of making it competitive .Doesn't seem that way in 2025. Lions can name two full test quality teams.
Hopefully Tahs and Brums make a fool out of me this week, but can't see it happening.
The other big difference, looking back at team sheets of the 2013 tour, Reds 10 was QC (Quade Cooper), NSW 10 was Bernard Foley, Brumbies 10 was To'omua.
Our teams can't put that quality out any more.
Australian 10s named in the squad were JOC (James O'Connor) and KB (Kurtley Beale).
Hopefully Tahs and Brums make a fool out of me this week, but can't see it happening.
The other big difference, looking back at team sheets of the 2013 tour, Reds 10 was QC (Quade Cooper), NSW 10 was Bernard Foley, Brumbies 10 was To'omua.
Our teams can't put that quality out any more.
Australian 10s named in the squad were JOC (James O'Connor) and KB (Kurtley Beale).
Sword of Justice
Alan Cameron (40)
This is important though. JOC (James O'Connor) had never played 10 for the wallabies before and at that stage was probably the fifth best 10 in the country. Dean lost his mind. JOC (James O'Connor) did incredibly well considered and it was a competitive series despite his inexperience.
Tomthumb
Ken Catchpole (46)
It's a timing issue more than a doomsday thing IMO. Northern hemisphere is the overall the best they have ever been in the professional era and Australian Rugby is as low as it's been. These things ebb and flow though so in 12 years time it may well be the other way around
Strewthcobber
Michael Lynagh (62)
Another unique circumstance in 2021 but none of the SA domestic teams competed either
Wilson
John Eales (66)
I think the NZ tour will be the make or break for that - they've traditionally been the strongest set of touring games the Lions face and they should still get there chance next time. If they don't hold up it will theoretically be all 3 destinations getting thrashed in the club games in a row, at which point something will probably have to change.
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Strewthcobber
Michael Lynagh (62)
Probably really need to look at that Fiji game too. Is it worth taking so many players out of the touring sides for Wallaby prep purposes
PhilClinton
Paul McLean (56)
Joe must be schmidting himself a bit now.
In both tour matches the Lions were sleeping in the mighty jungle for the first 20mins before turning into prime Mufasa to blow our teams off the park.
I get it - no wallabies etc. but the Reds team had more than half the side with blokes who have either donned the gold jersey in the last 24 months or been selected in squads.
I don’t expect the Lions to put 50+ on the boys in the gold but I’m also not so confident our ‘best players’ are that much better as to close a 40 odd point gap and win the games.
In both tour matches the Lions were sleeping in the mighty jungle for the first 20mins before turning into prime Mufasa to blow our teams off the park.
I get it - no wallabies etc. but the Reds team had more than half the side with blokes who have either donned the gold jersey in the last 24 months or been selected in squads.
I don’t expect the Lions to put 50+ on the boys in the gold but I’m also not so confident our ‘best players’ are that much better as to close a 40 odd point gap and win the games.
Wilson
John Eales (66)
I don't know, I think he'd be pretty happy to see the Lions not really able to get too much in the way of set piece dominance in either game so far. He won't be as worried about being shredded by the backs as there just won't be the weak links and man on man mismatches the tour games present in the tests. Certainly an attacking, exuberant Lions is a better match up for us than the more traditional forwards focused sides we've seen in the past.
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
It'll be interesting to see if there's a bit of a shift back to established connections in places like the Front Row and centers now that Farrell has had a chance to see most of the alternates on the pitch.
Heavyd
John Solomon (38)
I'm not sure is it my tv or is it the Stan Sport mics but I'm not picking up the electric atmosphere from the stadiums that I was expecting. Anyone there last night, how did you rate the vibe? I'm off to Tahs game and expecting half the crowd to be chanting & singing for most of the game. Maybe the big touring groups haven't arrived yet? A Saturday game will mean a longer lead up on the sauce so that should boost the crowds vocal energy + it is all but a sellout.
Aussie teams are way under down. Force last played 24/5 Waratahs 31/5 & Reds 6/6. It shows. No matter how much you train nothing prepares the lungs like regular footy. Coming up against the quality of the Lions battle hardened from their players long season and we are blowing hard at the 20 min mark. Maybe some interstate games in mid June may have been a good option. The reality is Aus players compared to the rest of the world dont play enough games.
Loving the Lions playing expansive rugby, we need that to continue for the sake of the game in OZ. Imagine they were playing boring 10 man rugby, it would be a disaster for promoting the game. Lions scrum isn't as dominant as Id expected, I think there is hope for at least parity in the tests in the set piece for the Wallabies.
Cant wait for the Tahs game, yes we will get flogged but an arvo on the beers in Paddo before the energy of a sellout Allianz is a rare experience for long suffering rugby fans.
Aussie teams are way under down. Force last played 24/5 Waratahs 31/5 & Reds 6/6. It shows. No matter how much you train nothing prepares the lungs like regular footy. Coming up against the quality of the Lions battle hardened from their players long season and we are blowing hard at the 20 min mark. Maybe some interstate games in mid June may have been a good option. The reality is Aus players compared to the rest of the world dont play enough games.
Loving the Lions playing expansive rugby, we need that to continue for the sake of the game in OZ. Imagine they were playing boring 10 man rugby, it would be a disaster for promoting the game. Lions scrum isn't as dominant as Id expected, I think there is hope for at least parity in the tests in the set piece for the Wallabies.
Cant wait for the Tahs game, yes we will get flogged but an arvo on the beers in Paddo before the energy of a sellout Allianz is a rare experience for long suffering rugby fans.
I'm wondering if it really matters.
I think the first two games on tour have been thoroughly entertaining and the crowds are obviously excellent. Given that this tour prints money and players will (metaphorically speaking) offer their left nut to participate, I can't see interest decreasing from any direction.
I think it's always going to be the pinnacle for home nations rugby players because it's an invite only boys tour that shows you're one of the best players and runs for over a month that everyone wants to be part of.