Thursday, June 18, 2009
Looking back at the Lions' series win in South Africa in 1997
Twelve years ago the World Champion Springboks hosted the first professional Lions squad of the modern era. The Boks were considered by many to be the favourites, but it was the visitors who pulled off the sensational series win, the following in the footsteps of the legendary group who won there in 1974.
Ian McGeechan was coach in 1997 too, and along with Jim Telfer and Fran Cotton, used their collective experience to put together a powerful unit that played to their strengths, and prevailed against the odds.
Led by the imposing figure of Martin Johnson, the Lions won the first Test in Cape Town, with that famous Matt Dawsom dummy stopping about four Bok defenders dead in their tracks.
In the second Test, Jeremy Guscott proved the difference minutes from time, as with both sides level on 15-15, the England center coolly slotted a drop goal that effectively won them the series.
The Springboks found their rhythm and got their goal kicking right in the third and final Test, winning 36-16, but it was to no avail as the visitors had already won the series 2-1.
Their are a few obvious parallels that can be drawn between this years tour, and that of 1997: The Springboks were World Champions, Ian McGeechan was coach, and a big, powerful lock was captain. Will history repeat itself?
We have a really interesting two part video from Total Rugby that shows just how the Lions went about winning the series back then. Part one first, then part two. Enjoy.
Posted at 6:09 pm | 32 comments
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Viewing 32 comments
Donkey Punch June 18, 2009 4:12 pm
John "The Bull" Hayes has just been called up....Go on the Irish!
Donkey Punch June 18, 2009 4:16 pm
Every player bar Marcus Horan who started for Ireland against wales in the grandslam decider has now been called up to the squad....nice
Anonymous June 18, 2009 4:51 pm
People don't mention it often but Bok Teichman bounces off a Lions player on the way to setting up a try in the 1st test at 1.49 on the second video.....it was Scott Gibbs!!
DamnEnglishOnMyLions June 18, 2009 5:17 pm
Lions are gonna get smashed. I mean what the hell has monye got that habana hasnt? Fitzgerald should be there.
Lions to lose by 17+ points.
Lions to lose by 17+ points.
Flooz June 18, 2009 5:22 pm
it was a great performance from the lions in 1997. they knew that they can't beat boks on playing running rugby, so they played with their heads.
in 2009, i think it will be the same kind of opposition. same result?
RD say that a big lock who was lions captain (johnson) will win the RWC.
Uhh are u do an alusion to the fact that o'connell could become that man with ireland...?
i'm not very sure
in 2009, i think it will be the same kind of opposition. same result?
RD say that a big lock who was lions captain (johnson) will win the RWC.
Uhh are u do an alusion to the fact that o'connell could become that man with ireland...?
i'm not very sure
handson June 18, 2009 6:08 pm
Fingers crossed for the Lions.Hard to say what will happen against the mighty boks!!!!!!!!
Anonymous June 18, 2009 6:08 pm
this video has given me a serious dose of the horn. roll on saturday.
Anonymous June 18, 2009 6:22 pm
Great Memories I cant wait for saturday and I just found out what Tom Smith's voice sounds like he's posh as hell!
Anonymous June 18, 2009 6:25 pm
This will be a conservative start to the test series as the teams feel each other out. I expect the eventual winner to win by 5 or less.
dj June 18, 2009 9:51 pm
go on farmer hayes!!
didnt realise that bout all the irish players except horan been called up. that mean 15 have as earls was called up too??
moyne shouldnt be there, it should be fitzy. hes only on cuz he got tries but fitzys the better player.
dont see the lions coming close to the boks but hope its a close entertaining match all the same, better than the warm ups and hopefully the lions will edge it!!
didnt realise that bout all the irish players except horan been called up. that mean 15 have as earls was called up too??
moyne shouldnt be there, it should be fitzy. hes only on cuz he got tries but fitzys the better player.
dont see the lions coming close to the boks but hope its a close entertaining match all the same, better than the warm ups and hopefully the lions will edge it!!
creggs08 June 18, 2009 10:20 pm
monye shouldnt be on the starting team should be fitz!!
delighted for jones as well been playing good rugby all year think he had ROG bet before they set foot in south africa
lions 2-1 me thinks:)
delighted for jones as well been playing good rugby all year think he had ROG bet before they set foot in south africa
lions 2-1 me thinks:)
Ted June 19, 2009 7:04 am
I think it shows consistency of selection to Monye in; Geech said that everyone in the squad would have an equal chance of selection depending on how they played in the warm-up games and he's stuck to that. Fitzgerald is a very good player but he hasn't played as well as Monye whilst on tour.
The fact is that as a winger you are going to be judged on how many tries you score. People complain about Monye's defence but when was the last time you saw a winger selected because of his defence?
It perhaps isn't fair on Fitz as he has not been given as many opportunities to score as Monye, but nevertheless Monye has scored in every game he's played on tour thus far.
Personally I'm pretty happy with the team, although that might be simply because I'm English and it did not look like we'd have any players in the Test XV at one point.
The fact is that as a winger you are going to be judged on how many tries you score. People complain about Monye's defence but when was the last time you saw a winger selected because of his defence?
It perhaps isn't fair on Fitz as he has not been given as many opportunities to score as Monye, but nevertheless Monye has scored in every game he's played on tour thus far.
Personally I'm pretty happy with the team, although that might be simply because I'm English and it did not look like we'd have any players in the Test XV at one point.
Anonymous June 19, 2009 9:33 am
Seeing those vids just makes me really want to Boks to have them 3-0 so we can put those ghosts to rest once and for all.
Anonymous June 19, 2009 11:28 am
tight match, but lions to edge it!!! cant wait!
Anonymous June 19, 2009 12:40 pm
The Lions have one of the most dangerous set of backs ever put together. Big statement, but true.. But they need the fowards to work their asses off, think it will prob go down to this.
Monye Vs Habana? Monye all day, hope he shows him how its done
Monye Vs Habana? Monye all day, hope he shows him how its done
Jacques June 19, 2009 1:24 pm
God, I remember it all as though it were yesterday. And it hurts as much seeing it now as it did then.
Os Du Randt - what a prop and what a great guy.
Os Du Randt - what a prop and what a great guy.
Alex June 19, 2009 1:58 pm
Monyes defence is one of the reasons he has been picked! - did you not see him dump the prop into touch on Tuesday? Has been great defensively all season . .
That, and the fact he can show any other wing in world rugby a clean pair of heels are why he is in there.
No idea who'll win, but have a feeling this will turn out to be a classic.
That, and the fact he can show any other wing in world rugby a clean pair of heels are why he is in there.
No idea who'll win, but have a feeling this will turn out to be a classic.
MisterDavid June 19, 2009 2:56 pm
Great videos, great memories, great personalities:
John Bentley - top bloke
Os du Randt - top bloke
Ian McGeechan - top bloke
Jerry Guscott - w*nker
Ah well.
John Bentley - top bloke
Os du Randt - top bloke
Ian McGeechan - top bloke
Jerry Guscott - w*nker
Ah well.
Brick Shithouse June 19, 2009 3:03 pm
I was too young to remember this series, but I can't wait for this one!! I think it will go to the final Test, the Boks will win this one marginally, Lions to win 2 & 3.
Luke Fitzgerald and Monye are similar but I think because Monye just got to play more rugby he put his face in the shop window more. Lukie didn't get a fair crack at the whip at all!!!
DJ, actually 16 Irish now involved with the Lions :)
Luke Fitzgerald and Monye are similar but I think because Monye just got to play more rugby he put his face in the shop window more. Lukie didn't get a fair crack at the whip at all!!!
DJ, actually 16 Irish now involved with the Lions :)
Donkey Punch June 19, 2009 3:13 pm
Yeah 16 including Earls and Alan "Hokey Pokey" Quinlan
dj June 19, 2009 3:35 pm
haha Alan "Hokey Pokey" Quinlan. class. jaysus he must feel like some tit! why he did that i'l never know!
Paul Gormley June 19, 2009 3:46 pm
the series reaaly hinges on this match i feel. i reckon whoever wins tommorrow will win overall. i dont see it being like the 2001 tour
H.I.M June 19, 2009 8:56 pm
Tears to the eye stuff.
I was eight at the time, just getting into rugby, and I can still remember it. Incredible.
I was eight at the time, just getting into rugby, and I can still remember it. Incredible.
Paul Gormley June 24, 2009 6:56 pm
I would like to hear what people think of keith earls. Being from limerick i saw him single handedly winning the senior schools cup for munchins two years ago. In limerick he is regarded as nothing short of a champion, and as a first year as a professional rugby player he has finished top try scorer for munster, scored a try on his debut for ireland and was called up to the lions tour, now i know roberts and fitzgerald are of similar age and have achieved more in the game but earls was a surprise call-up and even though he had a shocker in the first match he has scored two great tries. Ronan o gara has gone on to compare his impact in his first season to johnny wilkonson and while i dont see earls dropping a goal off his weak foot for ireland in a world cup final i genuinely think he will be a world beater in the next few years. drop a comment to what ye think.
Paul
Paul
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