Did they pal I must have missed that.
Will this be the last of this lark? Is there room for a touring party in the professional era?
Too much of a money spinner to kill it off. It’s a farce. I enjoy the games but have fuck all interest in it. I’d do away with it in the morning if I could. Especially now that the NH sides are reasonably competitive with S.A. and Oz
Who’s making the money though? I heard it was an ex-player’s junket …
It is a bail out for the SH countries every four years for starters. This is last time they get to keep all the tv money from it. I think Oz union made about 30 m quid out of it the last time. Huge benefit to NZ in keeping players there with this windfall.
The home unions own the lions brand as far as I know. And split the profits. IRFU also got about €90k per player compensation as well for them touring (as well as the players getting own fee obviously) so that’s a million quid straight away
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The home unions couldn’t give a hoot about winning it though.
They don’t prepare properly for it.
They get paid either way. The unions do care id say though really. Winning makes more attractive sponsorship gig next time.
Just they have lost lot of power with the club’s, who really don’t give a fuck about the Lions. So season structure changed and now all the domestic seasons finish later than they used to eating into prep time. It’s a cod of a job. Players will be bolloxed next season
That in a nutshell is what makes NZ world champions and Ireland competitive.
Both countries configure everything to facilitate the national team.
NZ are preparing to win this since the world cup. The home nations. Since the end of may.
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I’d un mute this thread mate, I suspect you’re gonna have fun these next few weeks
Reading the Stephen Jones/Nick Cain/Tom English history of the British Lions at the moment. One recurrent theme is tours to New Zealand blighted by captain selection. The bad choices of Mike Campbell Lamerton in 1966 and Ciaran Fitzgerald in 1983 - who weren’t worth their starting places, Phil Bennett a very reluctant captain in 1977, the sulking of Will Carling in 1993 when he was overlooked for the captaincy for Gavin Hastings (an excellent captain) and Speargate with Drico in 2005.
I’m sceptical as to the choice of Sam Warburton this time around:
The captaincy is a massive call . I still think SW is well overrated as a player.
Sonny Bill in for the blues hee-ah. I’ve skin in the game in this one, sat beside blues winger Matt duffie on a trans Pacific flight last year. A sound man.
Blues 2/1 in race to 20 market
Blues HT lions FT 6 to 1
That’s gold bro
Gimp.
I see you’re straight on this thread while the rest of Ireland gets ready for work. The life of a doler must be a fine one.
It’s 9am - I’m in work 1.5hrs already and I doubt many people are getting ready for work at this hour, gimp.
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Questionable decision there Matt
you wouldn’t work to warm yourself you welfare addict
Christ.
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