In a scene out of a Civil Defense preparedness video, the All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen this week told New Zealand ‘be prepared’. He was not referring to a Tropical Cyclone, but to the impending British and Irish Lions tour–which, if you know their rivaled history, is going to create as much havoc and disruption.
No, in fairness, it can only bring positives and the New Zealand rugby public have been calmly ‘counting the days’ until the tour begins proper: 41 days, 10 hours and 11 minutes at the time of writing to be precise…..yes, I do have a countdown clock app. But as mentioned, fans will need to be prepared says Steve.
Watch: 'People expect them to win' – Steve Hansen starts mind games with Warren Gatland ahead of Lions tourhttps://t.co/jIdPJillX0 pic.twitter.com/ALtuBOEJoi
— 1 NEWS – Sport (@1NewsSportNZ) April 20, 2017
His attitude, and that of New Zealand Rugby is that the experience will be a ‘once in a players lifetime’ but that the fans/nation too need to be prepared. By June 3, the country will be in the middle of a planned siege that will dwarf previous tours. The influx of not only the touring Lions squad, but also their fans who will make the pilgrimage.
And while kiwi’s are known worldwide for their hospitality, when it comes to their All Blacks, they can be very protective. ‘Welcome Lions fans with open arms’ is the message, but by 7:35pm on June 24, it will be War!
Possibly no need to breakout the sandbags, tape up the windows or alert the emergency services however, they will be a large part of the safety provisions made from June 3 onward. The invasion force will be more of a challenge, and Maori culture and the All Black haka is all about accepting a challenge.
Lions Invasion on Scale Not Seen Since 2005
It is a good thing, do not interpret me wrongly. The traveling ‘Lions Army’ will be a pleasure, and a factor which Steve Hansen will embrace. The marketing and publicity alone from sponsors DHL and the team-specific sponsors and partners will plaster their images from Whangarei to Invercargill. You will certainly know that this tour is approaching.
The numbers of traveling supporters is expected to top 20,000. Now, in a country of four million that could be absorbed but these supporters tend to make themselves noticeable. Usually, in a good way, so don’t expect a ‘Barmy Army’ or football hooliganism but more likely a healthy group of men, women and families who take the journey alongside their team.
And then the radio and television, newsprint and online focus will heighten as Warren Gatland and his 41 man squad touches down. Then it will be ground zero for all attention, and with our ‘media driven’ viewing habits, it would not surprise Last Word on Rugby if it was overboard.
Dedicated TV coverage is not in doubt. If not 24 hour, then close to it. The throng of traveling media could rival that of a political gaggle, so Steve Hansen himself must be mentally prepared. By comparison to a Rugby World Cup, it might be as close as is possible to the full-on focus on the game–and those illustrative surrounding storylines.
100% Attention on New Zealand v British and Irish Lions
By this time, the Lions squad has been broken down, assessed and discussed. The men given the task to take on New Zealand must be talented, but also strong minded. All will need to be prepared–that is, once many players commitments are fulfilled. Aviva Premiership, French Top 14 and Guinness Pro12 games are still to be played. So once they have taken half a day, or so to recover [as much] then they will be flown business class ‘downunder’ to the tour base.
Warren Gatland told media during the Lions squad announcement that;
“The countdown has begun to getting on the plane and arriving in New Zealand and we are very excited about that.”
From that moment on, those players, and the men and women involved with the Lions organization will be under the microscope. As will the All Blacks group be.
It will be 100% for the duration of the tour. And while that focus might feel like a blanket, Warren Gatland has declared that his tour party will attempt to get out into the rugby countryside. Visiting schools, marae and entertaining the rugby public. That will be well received, and provide the players with a distraction away from the cameras and editorial. Though, LWOR wonder ‘which players will be publishing an on-tour diary?’
Leading All Blacks might feel that same pressure, as the foreign media will want to speak to the likes of Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith or captain Kieran Read. So Hansen will also need to prepare his men on the menace that can be foreign media attention. Exposure will be measured, but one can only imagine the questions that Smith might be grilled about.
As June Approaches, the Anticipation Grows
The grounds will all be made ready for each of the 10 tour matches. From Toll Stadium, to Eden Park and in-between. The stadia will all need to be at their best, and meet the very high standards that a Lions squad expect. As finer surfaces as Super Rugby require, then the level above is what the Lions will ask for. And everyone watching will want the best conditions.
If the weather is fine, then the rugby will live up to the expectation. But if the inclement rain and cool climate invades the grounds, then we could see it favour the players coming from the Northern Hemisphere. They might be better accustomed for wet weather rugby, than the more Super Rugby-minded All Blacks.
The legendary Gerald Davies in full flight against the @AllBlacks on the 1971 Tour…
Happy birthday to one of the Lions' all-time greats! pic.twitter.com/6C15YAYfyR
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) February 7, 2017
Steve Hansen is correct then. Like other kiwi’s, he will have a fine understanding of the gravity of the tours impact. Having grown up in Canterbury, he will recall those tours of yesteryear. The successful 1971 British and Irish Lions tour of course will be a strong memory: lost 0-2 [with a drawn test as well] will be a barometer, so Hansen will know the threat that the visitors hold. For him, Ian Foster and Grant Fox (see main photo) no reliance will be taken on 2005 providing inspiration; as every tour is different.
And 2017 will be like no tour before it, so the anticipation grows, as does the tour readiness.
Fans will welcome the team and the traveling supporters with open arms. True. And building up to the British and Irish Lions matches, we will prepare. True. But once that whistle is blown on June 24, it will be a full-on battle.
fans cannot wait Steve!
“Main photo credit”
