Only five more sleeps to go
Get more sleep rugby fans, use relaxation techniques, cut down on caffeine, breathe deeply, it’s going to be a stressful week; we’re headed for a British and Irish Lions test series decider, the most intense match in New Zealand since the 2011 World Cup final.
Even All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, a laconic man who gives the impression he would be impervious to dynamite, is excited.
He said so himself. This is the game everyone has been waiting for, Hansen said.
‘‘Everyone’ll be excited next week. It’ll be great, rugby’s been needing something like this for a while and it’s now got it, and everyone will be a bit nervy about it because it can go either way, and how exciting is that?’’ he said.
‘‘[You’ve been saying] oh, we can’t wait for England and the All Blacks to play each other, cause that’s got to be great for rugby. Well, we’ve got the Lions playing the All Blacks and we’re in a great situation. Competition is good for everyone, because it forces everyone to improve.’’
On a rugby thriller scale ranging from 0-10, the Eden Park showdown on Saturday will rate around an 11. Only once in 11 attempts have the Lions won a series in New Zealand, and not since 1971. Not since 1994 have the All Blacks lost at Eden Park.
But the Lions created a bit of sodden feline history, when they beat the All Blacks 24-21 at Westpac Stadium, a victory that saw Sonny Bill Williams sent for an early shower, and swathes of red-clad Lions supporters singing in the rain.
And so Wellington’s hills were on Saturday night and yesterday morning alive with the sound of music Ireland’s Fields of Athenry, Flower of Scotland, Swing Low Sweet Chariot and ... Delilah, a hit for Tom Jones in 1968, the year after Colin Meads was the previous All Black sent off in a test.
‘‘It was great. This is what Lions tours are about, isn’t it?’’ Their fans got noisier the longer the Lions stayed in the game.That’s why you love Lions tours, that’s why you love having more than just one off tests,’’ Hansen said.
In 80 minutes the prospect of Warren Gatland coaching the Lions to a series win in his own homeland was transformed from Mission Impossible, to Mission Highly Improbable to Mission Still Bloody Unlikely.
Even though TAB odds give Lions about as much chance of winning at Fortress Eden Park as the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic going down on her maiden voyage, or Donald Trump being elected US president, those strange things do happen - as they did on Saturday night.
You got an idea of the level of All Black focus, when it was pointed out to Hansen the third test would be the 100th for his captain Kieran Read.
‘‘It’s just a fact,’’ Hansen said of the milestone. ’’Him being the guy it is, we’ll just treat it like it’s his first game. It’s just a number, the big prize is making sure we prepare well ... the ultimate prize is winning the series.’’
‘‘It’s moments like these series that go down in history that excite young people to say ‘hey, I want to be part of this’, not only as a player but as a fan.
‘‘It’s great for rugby, it’s great for this team.’’
Breathe deep, rugby fans. Breathe deep.