Lions tour’s purely about the money, says legend Willie John
LIONS legend Willie John McBride has ripped apart this year’s tour to South Africa, insisting it should have been postponed.
McBride believes the concept of the Lions has been “destroyed” by this summer’s trip taking place without fans. He also says the Lions should not be playing Japan in Edinburgh on July 26.
The Irishman, widely considered to be the greatest Lion of all after a remarkable five tours, told the Rugby Paper: “It’s a nonsense, a total nonsense. It should have been postponed. The concept of the Lions has been destroyed. It’s now purely about money.
“What sort of tour is it when there won’t be any fans? Let’s be honest, this is a non-tour. If there’s a few bob to be made in some stupid game, they go ahead and arrange one.
“The Lions should never play at home and yet they’re playing this game against Japan in Edinburgh. It’s about making money.
“A Lions tour has always been about more than playing matches. There’s no other sport I know which brings the best players of four countries together to play overseas. We used to take the game to every corner of the country we were visiting. That’s all gone and I find it absolutely dreadful for the game I love.”