I had been most interested to watch their progress for a few reasons. As a touring Lions squad they were always going to be an exciting representative squad of the best Rugby players that the Northern Hemisphere had to offer. This was at a time when rivalry between Rugby sides from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres was at an all time high. The Northern Hemisphere teams had closed the gap with Southern Hemisphere side that had dominated world rugby for the previous decade or so. With Australia due to host the 2003 Rugby World Cup, this would be an ideal yardstick to gauge just how competitive the impending World Cup might be.
England had been the most consistently competitive Northern Hemisphere side at the time, allthough Ireland had been consistently improving too. The touring Lions team was (perhaps unapologetically) very significantly full of players from the England team, with a few select players Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. This unbalanced selection was probably well-justified by the performances of the national teams at that time.
The Lions only tour to Australia every twelve years, so it was a rare Rugby treat. This particular squad looked intent on serious rugby, and serious results. From secret training locations, through to the trail of decimating victories over the minnow sides that they met in the matches leading up to the tests. It seemed like they were well aware that when they met the Australians they would be up against the reigning World champions, and they seemed equalled determined to show that they were up to that challenge.
The only hiccup in their preparations for the tests was the game they played against Australia B, coached by Eddie Jones. It must have been pyschologically unsettling to be beaten a B team. They went on to play Australia in the first test match, and Australia won.
Whether it was the personal pride of the players, or the responsibility of playing in a touring lions team ( the Lions had NEVER lost a tour in Australia), or the work of the coach, credit must be given to the Lions as they bounced back admirably to win the second test.
With one win each, the stage had been set for a dramatic third and decisive test. Both sides had much to play for. The Australians could make history as the first wallaby side to defeat the touring Lions. The Lions would not want to return home as historic losers. Hemispherical pride was at stake. Perhaps more importantly from the players perspective, was the opportunity to score some psychological points leading up to the next world cup. In any case, I was fortunate enough to get to the final test in Sydney and witness this significant Rugby moment. The Lions were supported by an army of singing fanatics dressed in red, to the point that it must have been like a home game for them. Everytime they began their thunderous chant of "Li-ons! Li-ons!", I tried to get the Wallabies supporters to insert the word "Dave" (since Dave Lyons was playing in the Wallaby side), but to no avail. Clearly the supporters of both side knew that this was no ordinary match.
It was indeed a tense, tough, and evenly contested spectacle right to the end ...
The lions are coming! They are! They are!
They'll hunt as a pack, and they'll leave a deep scar.
The lions are coming! They're near! They're near!
Lock up your daughters, and hide the beer!
They lions are coming! They're here! They're here!
They're huge and they're hairy. They fill me with fear.
The lions are touring. It's true. It's fact.
Their ruthless raw power; We're lion attacked!
The lions are leaving! It's fact! It's true!
These big gamed were tamed, except in game two.
These big game weren't quite so big in a big game.
The pride heading home in historical shame.
The pride of the north, are no longer so proud.
The roaring of failure ringing out loud.
The lions were kittens; Not big cats, as thought.
Their past reputation must now count for nought.
The lions were losers. The Wallabies won.
So who led the lions and brought them undone?
The captain and coach can't be pleased with the job.
I bet they come back for the Wallaby mob.
Martin Johnson; man-mountain, his ego diminished.
I doubt that he'll rest till this business is finished.
A tower of strength with a very thick hide.
The proudest of all in this proud Lions pride.
The Lions are gone now. They are. They are.
But they will return with their own mental scar.
Johnson and Woodwood will not give it up.
I bet they come back in the hunt for a cup!
(c) TJ McGowan, MrsMyth
Alas for the Wallabies, Martin Johnson did come back hunting for the cup.
This former Lion finally got his Wallaby mob, when he captained his team to a thrilling victory over Australia in the cup final. No longer should he be remembered as the first (and thus-far only) captain to lead a losing Lions tour to Australia, but now as the first person from the Northen hemisphere to captain a victorious World Cup side. I wish more players had his tenacity.
Sadly for England, once Martin Johnson retired from the national side, they have struggled to uphold the reputation of world champions. Coach Clive Woodwood has deteriorated from the first Northern Hemisphere coach to win a world cup, to the coach of the most often beaten world champions.
