Lions 2013: Lions will have 'huge advantage' - Robbie Deans

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Australia coach Robbie Deans

Australia coach Robbie Deans says the British and Irish Lions have a "huge advantage" in preparation for the first Test of the series on 22 June.

The tourists will play the Barbarians in Hong Kong and five matches down under external-linkbefore the opener in Brisbane.

Deans will have three weeks, but no matches, with his players, who will play no Super 15 games after 2 June.

"There's no doubt that the Lions will have a huge advantage in terms of entering the series," Deans said.

"You go back to 2001 [the last Lions series in Australia, which the Lions lost 2-1 after winning the first Test] and the Wallabies had similar time (to prepare) but with a (warm-up) game, so it was obviously a more complete prep and they got spanked in the first Test.

"[Former Australia coach] Rod Macqueen openly conceded that (the 2001 team's) preparation wasn't adequate, and he's genuinely concerned by what we're confronted with."

The Lions play four of the Australian Super 15 provinces - Western Force, Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies - as well as a combined New South Wales/Queensland XV before the first Test.

The Australian Rugby Union has "quarantined" Test players from Round 17 of Super Rugby,external-link when the Brumbies play the Melbourne Rebels (7 June) and the Force play the Waratahs (9 June), and Deans is unapologetic, despite the provinces' protests.

"It will still be the shortest preparation in the history of the game for a Lions series so we will want the group with us to prepare solely," said the New Zealander, who believes the Six Nations has highlighted the depth of talent available to the Lions.

"They've got a tough job selecting their group," he added. "A year ago the Welsh were the Grand Slam champions; it looks like the English will be the Grand Slam champions this time around.

"You saw the form of England at the end of last year. We knew having played them what a good side they were and then the whole world knew a week later when they tipped over the All Blacks.

"And then you get to pick the best out of the other combinations to add to that, and you end up with a pretty capable group."

Lions tour manager Andy Irvine says the final two rounds of Six Nations games are "absolutely crucial" in the tourists' selection process.

"Things are very wide open - I don't think there are all that many certainties pencilled in," he said. "There are a number who are highly likely to go, but certainties would perhaps be a bit too strong."

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  • Comment posted by HMMurdoch, at 15:19 7 Mar 2013

    @3: Are you suggesting that a SH team would intentionally injure a key member of the touring Lions to hinder their efforts to win the series?

    *COUGH*Brian O'Driscoll*COUGH*

    Perish the thought.

  • Comment posted by U13723031, at 15:59 7 Mar 2013

    Guys, lets not turn this in to another "we have more home grown players than you" thread.

    I feel sorry for the people who don't 'get' the Lions ethos, the 2nd test in '09 was one of the most intense and fiercely contested matches I've ever seen. This is part of what makes Rugby great, in very few other team sports do you get players from different nations coming together and fighting for 1 other.

  • Comment posted by Tom Rowlands, at 15:53 7 Mar 2013

    @16- Well let's put it this way- the last tour to South Africa boosted their economy by 1.47bn rand (about 9% of SA's GDP that year) and attracted 37,000 visitors to SA. hardly peanuts.

    This year will be the 125th anniversary of the Lions, which goes to show that it's popularity has endured the test of time. Just because you don't get it doesn't mean the rest of us don't.

  • Comment posted by Boxer_the_Horse, at 16:24 7 Mar 2013

    #1 'Course they do, the Lions can pick Welsh players'
    Of course, they can also pick English players, who are far more likely to win the Champoinship.
    And why pick Mike Phillips. If you want a veteran, why not Gareth Edwards? A much classier player, and probably would get his pass away quicker. Face it, my mum would get her pass away quicker.

  • Comment posted by HMMurdoch, at 15:53 7 Mar 2013

    'At least Falatau was born in Wales!!!!'

    No, he was born in Tonga. Wales have had their fair share of 'imports' so no moral high ground to be had I'm afraid. Weren't 1/3 of the Welsh XV in the last game born in England?

  • Comment posted by U14366140, at 15:55 7 Mar 2013

    @20 Billy Vunipola was born in Australia not New Zealand and Toby Faletau was born in Tonga, not Wales. They associate with the countries they have chosen to represent and I have no problem with them representing them but if people like yourself are going to, at least get your facts right.

  • Comment posted by Passed Out, at 15:26 7 Mar 2013

    @10: That was in the back of my mind but I was also remembering the Duncan McRae 'cowardly assault' on Ronan O'Gara in the Australia Tour of 2001

  • Comment posted by TARW, at 15:51 7 Mar 2013

    @20
    This is a Lions thread, please stick to it

  • Comment posted by Boro2Mill, at 17:00 7 Mar 2013

    kc_chiefs
    My friend you are frequenting the wrong pubs Allow me to educate you If you should ask to watch the rugby and be told its a footy pub put your pint down after drinking it and walk out!
    If you struggle to find a rugby pub (how you manage that I do not know!) Drop by your local rugby club, who will more then likely have skytv, beer and a set of blokes ready to watch it with you.

  • Comment posted by U14797313, at 16:48 7 Mar 2013

    I must admit I rate The Lion's tours on a par with the RWC. All British players know from past history that the pinnacle of their careers is Lions selection. To be picked a Lion you have to be special both as a player, a person and have the respect of all your peers.

    The team spirit in a Lion's camp is second to none. I hope it continues successfully regardless of political devolution!

  • Comment posted by Tolroy, at 16:08 7 Mar 2013

    I dont understand rugby fans that dont appreciate the Lions tours.
    I for one look forward to them. I used to have a pub and I know from my time there it was a popular event regardless of the kick off times. (After/Before Hours Obviously)

  • Comment posted by TARW, at 15:57 7 Mar 2013

    Spot on 25, was born in Tonga 1990.
    The original thread is being lost here, is this Grannygate again?
    Lets all stick to the Lions thread

  • Comment posted by Tom Rowlands, at 15:35 7 Mar 2013

    @11, and don't forget Nathan Grey's elbow to the head of Richard Hill in the 2nd test- the tipping point of the whole series.

    @9- The Lions go to Oz every 12 years so for the players it is a once in a lifetime chance to play them- some don't even get that. For the public it is the same 12 year wait until the next one. They care.

    @12- You obviously don't get the point then. Your loss...

  • Comment posted by U13917472, at 10:44 8 Mar 2013

    I'm not sure Robbie Deans if factoring in the obvious point that Australia are a regular team that's been together for some time whereas the Lions come together every 4 yrs, so having a few games to familiarise themselves before taking on a well trained, regular test team doesn't seem like a massive advantage to me. Plus I was in Brisbane 12 years ago & the Lions didnt win due to poor Aussie prep!

  • Comment posted by xpat73, at 22:51 7 Mar 2013

    The Lions tour gets devalued when the the host does not play their international in the provincial games. In fact, the last side to play their internationals in provincial sides v the Lions was the New Zealanders in 1993. A highlight was Auckland v. the Lions, a 4th test if you like. Shame that no longer happens. It hampers the Lions as they face too easy opposition and then go into the Tests.

  • Comment posted by U3280383, at 21:19 7 Mar 2013

    I have lived in Australia since 2004 and @88 is correct JohnnyWAL the Lions is a huge event over here.When the test tickets went on sale the Brisbane test sold out within 15 minutes.I don't rate Deans as a coach and think he is making a mistake in wrapping them in cotton wool for 3 weeks.I fully expect the Lions to win this series but not with the XV JohnnyWAL picked.More Scots needed JohnnyWAL!

  • Comment posted by U15640508, at 20:57 7 Mar 2013

    Think Robbie is forgetting the Heineken Cup Final, likely to involve a number of the potential Lions players and is only weeks before playing in Hong Kong on the way to Australia. Am encouraged to see Hogg, Gray and Brown in some lineups, personally wouldnt rule out a late team announcement possibly with a couple of suprises in there... e.g. Visser (cant rule out form - speaks for itself)!!

  • Comment posted by JohnnyWAL, at 19:37 7 Mar 2013

    @81 most people have them down as that, in fact in your post @69 you have them the wrong way round. 1 is loose head - 3 is tight head

  • Comment posted by JohnnyWAL, at 19:13 7 Mar 2013

    @66 BOD for captain, best 13 in the UK only certainty to start for me

  • Comment posted by simonofsurrey, at 19:12 7 Mar 2013

    ...and Australia, playing at home, will of course have nothing going for them at all. Tell it to the Tooth Fairy, Robbie.

    @20 - as an Englishman, I'm happy to cheer on an England team with 15 English-qualified players. 2 x Vuni and Manu learned their rugby at school in England. Your comment suggests to me you would have approved of the home team's selection policy at the 1936 Olympics.

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