Sunday Independent Sport

Started by Bud Wiser, April 16, 2017, 06:29:19 PM

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Eamonnca1

Quote from: Fear Bun Na Sceilpe on April 20, 2017, 03:27:05 PM
Could never understand the Lions thing

A hangover from pre-independence days. Quoth wiki:

QuoteThe British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for any of the Home Nations – the national sides of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The Lions are a Test side, and generally select international players, but they can pick uncapped players available to any one of the four unions. The side tours every four years, with these rotating among Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The 2009 Test series was lost 2–1 to South Africa, while the 2013 Test series was won 2–1 over Australia.

From 1888 onwards combined rugby sides from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland toured the Southern Hemisphere. The first tour was a commercial venture, and was undertaken without official backing.[2] The six subsequent visits enjoyed a growing degree of support from the authorities, before the 1910 South Africa tour, which was the first tour representative of the four Home Unions.[3] In 1949 the four Home Unions formally created a Tours Committee[4] and for the first time, every player of the 1950 Lions squad had played internationally before the tour.[5] The 1950s tours saw high win rates in provincial games, but the Test series were typically lost or drawn. The winning series in 1971 (New Zealand) and 1974 (South Africa) changed this pattern. The last tour of the amateur age took place in 1993.

Eamonnca1

Quote from: From the Bunker on April 20, 2017, 06:41:32 PM
Quote from: Fear Bun Na Sceilpe on April 20, 2017, 03:27:05 PM
Could never understand the Lions thing

Yeah, it seemed to me to over-rate the southern hemisphere teams that we have to send an amalgamation of the Triple crown teams to give them a game.

In the days of month-long journeys to Australia by steamship it was probably easier to get amateur players gathered up from four Rugby unions than just the one.

manfromdelmonte

Quote from: Eamonnca1 on April 21, 2017, 09:55:27 PM
Quote from: From the Bunker on April 20, 2017, 06:41:32 PM
Quote from: Fear Bun Na Sceilpe on April 20, 2017, 03:27:05 PM
Could never understand the Lions thing

Yeah, it seemed to me to over-rate the southern hemisphere teams that we have to send an amalgamation of the Triple crown teams to give them a game.

In the days of month-long journeys to Australia by steamship it was probably easier to get amateur players gathered up from four Rugby unions than just the one.
month long booze up

went onto independent.ie sport section today. barely a mention of the hurling league final

seafoid

I think a rugby league player has the record for most tinnies drunk on the flight to Australia.
"f**k it, just score"- Donaghy   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbxG2WwVRjU