SOUTH AFRICA: RUGBY UNION: Lions head coach McGeechan is relieved to be in South Africa with a fit squad, while skipper O'Connell says players must maintain the touring side's traditions

Record ID: 454435

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: RUGBY UNION: Lions head coach McGeechan is relieved to be in South Africa with a fit squad, while skipper O'Connell says players must maintain the touring side's traditions
  • Date: 26th May 2009
  • Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (MAY 25, 2009) (REUTERS) JOURNALISTS WAITING FOR BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS NEWS CONFERENCE TO BEGIN (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS HEAD COACH IAN MCGEECHAN SAYING: "Yeah, it's always a relief when, you know, I think you arrive in South Africa, you know we're here together, as I said everybody is fit. You know, we watched the European (Cup) final together on a big screen over a dinner, we went out for something to eat and you know it's good to have those players on board now. And you know we're ready to go and I think it does change when you get into South Africa, there's no doubt about that and we're looking forward to it. But, it is important, I think, with the shortness of preparation we've got to the first test to have a group of fit players." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS HEAD COACH IAN MCGEECHAN SAYING: "To come to a country where rugby is obviously number one and so important I think it raises your own ambitions because you know you're in an environment where it is important to everybody in the country. That's why I said, you know, I think we have to become part of South African rugby over the next seven weeks. We take it on board, we, you know, embrace it and we are part of it and I've never known many easy games in South Africa and I don't anticipate any this tour either." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS HEAD COACH IAN MCGEECHAN SAYING OF PLAYING SPRINGBOKS NOW: "Yeah, hugely more difficult, I think, you know South African rugby is in very good shape, the structures with the Super 14; coming out with you know a now broader group of players who have come through that, a settled Springbok side with a very good captain and a very strong coaching team. So, you know, having come through from a World Cup I think they've established themselves post- that and that stability at international level is very important." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS CAPTAIN PAUL O'CONNELL SAYING: "I think it's important that when the players wear the jersey in this tour that they live up to the tradition and the history of the jersey. I think when you look back at some of the players that have worn the British and Irish Lions jersey down the years- they're great players and maybe in 2005 we didn't live up to that and a lot of things went against us on the tour. But at the same time I don't think we did the tradition proud. And I think, for me anyway personally I think after 2005, that's a big motivation. I know for a few of the other guys who were on the tour it's the same thing; living up to the tradition of the jersey is a big thing for you know a lot of us when we play for our clubs but, for me, playing for Munster playing for Ireland and I think the same applies with the British and Irish Lions."
  • Embargoed: 10th June 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAI7R2VMHCFH4T65M1ZL9KPIUJ
  • Story Text: All 36 members of the British and Irish Lions will get a chance to press their claims for a place in the three-test series against South Africa, head coach Ian McGeechan said on Monday (May 25).
    McGeechan, who was in charge of the successful Lions tour of Australia in 1989 and again in South Africa 12 years ago, told a news conference after the team's arrival that no player would be left on the sidelines waiting for a game.
    McGeechan said the excitement building in the squad would offset any fatigue after the demanding northern hemisphere season and it was a relief to arrive with a fit squad.
    He also said the importance of rugby to South Africans raised the Lions' own ambitions.
    "To come to a country where rugby is obviously number one and so important I think it raises your own ambitions because you know you're in an environment where it is important to everybody in the country. That's why I said, you know, I think we have to become part of South African rugby over the next seven weeks. We take it on board, we, you know, embrace it and we are part of it and I've never known many easy games in South Africa and I don't anticipate any this tour either," said McGeechan.
    He said the South Africans, world champions in 2007, appeared to be at their best.
    "...South African rugby is in very good shape, the structures with the Super 14; coming out with you know a now broader group of players who have come through that, a settled Springbok side with a very good captain and a very strong coaching team. So, you know, having come through from a World Cup I think they've established themselves post-that and that stability at international level is very important," said the Lions head coach.
    Captain Paul O'Connell said he was hoping the 2009 Lions would make amends for the 2005 side who were whitewashed 3-0 by New Zealand. The 2005 team were divided into a test and a midweek side with McGeechan coaching the latter.
    "I think it's important that when the players wear the jersey in this tour that they live up to the tradition and the history of the jersey. I think when you look back at some of the players that have worn the British and Irish Lions jersey down the years- they're great players and maybe in 2005 we didn't live up to that and a lot of things went against us on the tour. But at the same time I don't think we did the tradition proud. And I think, for me anyway personally I think after 2005, that's a big motivation. I know for a few of the other guys who were on the tour it's the same thing; living up to the tradition of the jersey is a big thing for you know a lot of us when we play for our clubs but, for me, playing for Munster playing for Ireland and I think the same applies with the British and Irish Lions," said O'Connell.
    The Lions open their tour on Saturday in Rustenburg, a mining centre 165 kms north-west of Johannesburg, against the Royal Highveld XV.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register