Bennett: Short tour will savage the Lions
THE BRITISH & Irish Lions have been told eight games will not be enough to topple world champions South Africa next summer.
Warren Gatland’s side will travel to the Rainbow Nation for the shortest tour in their history.
While it has been mooted there could be a pre-tour fixture against New Zealand in the UK, the Lions will have only five warm-up games before the first Test in Pretoria.
Legendary Wales and Lions fly-half Phil Bennett,
right, said: “It’s going to be very tough for them to beat the world champions with so few warm-up games.
“The English players could be playing in the Premiership final on the Saturday and then on the Monday flying out to play for the Lions.
“As a player I felt that week we had before flying out was a bonding week where all the players could get to know each other. It was vital. Eight games is far too short.
“South Africa are the world champions and they have a magnificent pack and some extremely talented backs. They will be fired up because, having won the World Cup, beating the Lions is the next big target.
“In 1966 the Lions went away for over five months so by the time they came home they’d forgotten what their wives looked like! There were some great times off the field back then, but sadly I don’t think these boys will have as much time for all that.”
Bennett knows all about facing the Boks in a Lions jersey having played a starring role on the unbeaten 1974 tour. He was captain three years later when they returned to New Zealand after their famous 1971 triumph but were put to the sword by an All Blacks side desperate for revenge.
In 2013 and 2017 Lions boss Gatland gave every fit member of his squad a chance in the first three games on tour, but Bennett believes it will be different this time.
He said: “I think Gatland will likely pick his Test team for the first warm-up game and then tinker with it in the lead up to the first game against South
Africa. He is going to have to find his best team quickly to stand a chance.
“There is only one thing that matters and that’s the Tests. If they don’t get in the team during the first few games they’ll still be chuffed as they’re part of the squad, but it will take something away from their Lions experience.
“I think a few more weeks to enjoy, have a weekend off, and to mix together would be invaluable.”
Amid calls for a global restructuring of the game, Bennett urges World Rugby to ensure the integrity of future Lions tours.
He said: “It is absolutely vital in this crowded calendar that Lions tours are given the respect they deserve and not cut down even further because this next tour is short enough as it is.”