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Wed 26 Apr 2017 | 04:10
Welsh legend Gareth Thomas talks about the Lions taking on New Zealand

5
Comments

The build-up to the Lions tour to New Zealand has been gathering pace with each passing day. Following Warren Gatland's squad announcement last week, much debate has gone into the players who made, and those who didn't.

Understandably, a lot of this debate has come from the British and Irish media, but the Lions tour has generated huhe hype in New Zealand.

There's probably no other nation in the world that is more passionate about the Lions than the Kiwis. They have a particular joy in receiving them since they have only been defeated in the series once, in 1971.

But much like when they hosted the World Cup in 2011, New Zealand as a country cannot wait for the Lions to arrive.

From a Lions perspective, 2005 captain Gareth Thomas has already been around New Zealand on a different mission. He's been analysing what makes New Zealand such a dominant force on the world rugby stage, and appeared on The Crowd Goes Wild to discuss this and the prospects for the 2017 tour.

A highly engaging and fascinating discussion, Thomas gives particualr praise to the New Zealand school rugby system which has been a long-time supplier of All Blacks for many years.

Thomas also introduces their segment of Smashed em Bro, which featured a host of rugby league tackles then a thumping Super Rugby hit, and a classic dump-flip tackle on Thomas himself.

credit: tightfiverugbyunion/thecrowdgoeswild

Posted By: Stephen Brunsdon

5 Comments

  • drg
    6:05 PM 28/04/2017

    I think a SH Lions could be an awesome idea, I suppose the only issue with the bonds that tie them... The Aussies and Kiwis are probably ok - probably a bit of a celt v anglo sort of bond between the two of them (in their own version)... but SA is a bit of an odd one out. But it could be a very interesting effort.

    I do like the way it's very much potentially one sided.

    I know what you mean regarding Aus and SA (if it was this time), but I'd say that is more down to the dismal things going on with their own rugby rather than them potentially being out muscled by the Lions...

    I'm not massively well versed on the Lions subject, but it seems to me that if the Lions go away as the underdogs, then all is rather well in the rugby universe, if they pull off a win then it's a dramatic effort.

  • im1
    5:26 PM 28/04/2017

    If the Lions were going to SA or Aus this time, there would be the same talk of 3-0, just the other way round.

    In someways it is a ridiculous team. Anything that gets the Irish, Welsh and Scottish to support at team with any number of English players in it has to be. But in others it makes perfect sense. As its so hard to go away and win, why not have a few nations putting their best together to try and make it a fairer fight on foreign soil.

  • drg
    11:39 PM 27/04/2017

    Hahaha, brilliant episode.

    One question which I know was asked with a bit of banter, disbanding the Lions if they lose 3-0..

    Do people on here reckon that if or when the Lions ever win any tests, that it's more surprising than if they lose?

    The Lions always strikes me as a bit of a more serious version of the Baa baas, I mean... a lot more serious. I understand why Gareth Thomas didn't say the words, no one wants to be accused of coming up with excuses before the planes even been boarded, but he did sort of hint at the somewhat ludicrous team that it is...

    Do the B&I L fans agree that it's a team destined to lose all the time, but is still an incredible set up?

    Do the kiwi fans, or even Aus and SA fans see it as a team that is technically destined to lose? (sorry Aussie fans)... Of course, I dare say it's a bloody hard game of rugby for all involved, and all the home teams have to have their heads screwed on...

  • hoot
    4:40 PM 27/04/2017

    Great banter, enjoyed it.

  • jimmy23
    3:30 PM 27/04/2017

    Still my favourite sports show, gutted I'm unable to tune into it anymore.

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