Will President Spencer Fight To Save The Lions?
The Rugby Paper|July 16,2017

As predicted, the squabble as to the future of the Lions has started already with both sides firing their opening shots across the bows of the other.

Jeff Probyn
Will President Spencer Fight To Save The Lions?

First, I have ask, am I the only one who didn’t think this was a great series? Yes, there was passion, dedication and pride in the shirt while the effort on Test match days was Herculean – but that’s enough about the fans.

As far as the games go when two of the Tests in a three-match series are decided by the actions of the referees rather than the players, you have to ask questions.

Early in the tour Gatland joked that he wished all the games had French referees and having watched the Tests you can understand why.

Although I do respect both Romain Poite and Jerome Garces as two of the best referees in the Northern Hemisphere, there can be no doubt that the way they refereed the games gave a definite advantage to the Lions.

I disagree with fellow columnist, Nick Cain, who underplays the Lions acts of foul play when compared to the All Blacks. Yes, Sonny Bill Williams was stupid and under the new guidelines for contact with the head area deserved to be sent off. Surely the fact that even if he was attempting to target the ball, Sean O’Brien’s contact with Naholo was also reckless under those same guidelines because it caused a concussion (Williams did not) that kept Naholo out of contention for the final Test.

Esta historia es de la edición July 16,2017 de The Rugby Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición July 16,2017 de The Rugby Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE RUGBY PAPERVer todo
England show who's No.1
The Rugby Paper

England show who's No.1

ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.

time-read
1 min  |
September 15, 2024
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
The Rugby Paper

Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it

THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 15, 2024
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
The Rugby Paper

Looking to go one step beyond this time around

NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 15, 2024
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
The Rugby Paper

Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin

ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 15, 2024
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
The Rugby Paper

Time for Borthwick to prove his worth

HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 15, 2024
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
The Rugby Paper

Barrington ready to power up the Mob

RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 15, 2024
Skivington keen to build identity
The Rugby Paper

Skivington keen to build identity

GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 15, 2024
Roebuck targets England success
The Rugby Paper

Roebuck targets England success

WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 15, 2024
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
The Rugby Paper

Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving

TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 15, 2024
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
The Rugby Paper

Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals

DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 15, 2024