A tart, triumphant account of the 1971 British Isles tour of New Zealand: the Lions posted an unbeaten provincial record and 2-1-1 test series win. Carwyn James’ insightful coaching, which converted author John Reason to the innovation, encouraged running via counterattack and made better use of personnel than New Zealand’s old-style committee system. Though mainly narrative, Reason focuses on violence and refereeing standards. As in 1966, the Canterbury match was marred by fighting; forward Sandy Carmichael’s fractured cheekbone forced him to leave the tour. Hawke’s Bay also was violent. Selections condone thuggery, Reason thunders, although he seems contradictory on whether crowd contribute (p107) or want it stopped (p171). Televising matches in the UK reduces foul play, he suggests. Regarding playing style, the New Zealanders overemphasize rucking while training unopposed slights defense. The Lions warmed up with ball in hand, and tight fives were chosen on the basis of contributing to open-field play (i.e., handling). In an era when the ball was in play and continuity were much lower, the NZ referees are berated for allowing foot up, crooked feeds, and forwards offside at scrummage as well as being inalert to quick throw-ins; also Kiwi players were allowed to berate refs. Ultimately he concludes refs watch tourists more closely and calls for international referee exchanges. The Lions’ best game was Wellington; after Auckland the tourists chose their strongest side to nail down the series win. JPR Williams’ drop goal famously put the game four out of reach. Williams, Barry John, Gareth Edwards, and Mervyn Davies (important to denying lineout ball to Colin Meads and controversially recalled Brian Lohore) are the heroes.
British Isles
21. Reason, Unbeaten Lions (17 Nov 2020)
The 1974 British Isles tour of South Africa, insistent on forward play and tactical kicking, shortchanged its potential by ignoring the UK’s world-class backs, thereby settling for inferiority to the 1971 Lions, Wales of 1970-71, and even the English South African tourists of 1972. Syd Millar, given the opening soliloquy, compares unfavorably with Carwyn James; his captaincy choice of lock Willie John McBride over center Mike Gibson showed not only the coach’s determination but also Ballymena conceit. Apartheid boycotts since 1970 contributed to the Springboks’ falling from first-class status, confirmed by the tour’s second test, a 28-9 match in Pretoria. Thus the undefeated tour flattered to deceive. Gareth Edwards was the tour’s key player; the ‘99’ call effectively sidelined African pugilism. There was little art in the Lions’ test selections; but the Springboks’ choices completely lacked strategy, revealing the bygone deficiencies of the selectorial system. (Reason also suggests the custom of visiting teams’ choosing referees from the host national nation have become an anachronism.) Springbok scrummaging was very poor; lineout lifting a novelty. Lock JG Williams should have been used to upset the British Isles’ dominant possession, as did New Zealand’s Peter Whiting in 1971. Danie Craven is described as the most influential man in world rugby, without elaboration. In 1971 John Dawes observed running was necessary to stop soccer’s inroads in rugby-playing nations, whereas the 1974 Lions never asked how good they could be. Transvaal is described as the one of the world’s richest sporting organizations, despite very poor grandstands. Reason unpersuasively sketches how black and coloured players might be integrated into the domestic game.