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Home / New Zealand

In The Lions' Den: 'This is worse than the embarrassment in 2005'

NZ Herald
8 Jun, 2017 05:00 PM2 mins to read

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British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland after their loss to the Blues.

Herald reporter Heath Moore is spending five weeks in a Maui campervan following the Lions fans.

"Is this supposed to be your worst Super Rugby side?"

Lions fans were always optimistic they'd see a stronger performance on Wednesday against the Blues. What they didn't bank on was the Blues showing the UK just how much depth New Zealand rugby has in its ranks.

The sudden fear in fans' eyes when I confirmed that the Blues are in fact our weakest franchise was priceless.

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The Red Army is loyal but even they now realise the true magnitude of this tour.

Many were hoping they'd replicate what they produced in Australia in 2013 when they lost just two games, one to the Brumbies and the other to the Wallabies.

Now the Red Army are facing the cold hard reality of just how far behind they really are compared to New Zealand sides.

"2005 was an absolute embarrassment," said one Lions fan, who didn't want to be named.

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"But this class of 2017 is pathetic. I can't see us winning another game in the series. I just don't know how we're ever going to turn this around. We don't even look like scoring points.

"In two games, one against a mob that are not even full time professional rugby players, we've only managed to score just two tries and a total of 29 bloody points. "

Just two games in and already members of the Red Army are waving the white flag.

The rugby element of the tour is now becoming a side show as the travelling fans start to focus on their holiday instead.

Blues second five eight Sonny Bill Williams celebrates his try against the British and Irish Lions. Photo / Greg Bowker
Blues second five eight Sonny Bill Williams celebrates his try against the British and Irish Lions. Photo / Greg Bowker

One couple travelling with their young son are considering ditching their tickets to one of the Super Rugby games, instead contemplating heading to the Coromandel.

Who can blame them?

It's a shame really. The Red Army is renowned for their patriotic support. I'm not suggesting they won't be out in force, but they deserve better.

As travelling fan Jo Dawson said: "If you are to do a Lions tour, the place you want to come to is New Zealand. You want to test yourself against the best."

Not only are the Lions being tested, but their fans' patience is too.

• Heath Moore travelled in a campervan provided by Maui, who had no control over editorial coverage.

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