There was a tour by the Anglo Welsh rugby team in 1908. I know because my grandfather, Arthur Flowers Harding, known as Boxer Harding was the captain of that team. That tour is the reason I’m a kiwi as he fell in love with my grandmother and emigrated to NZ to marry her. 😊 I see this as the first combined British tour of NZ although it did not include Ireland players. My grandfather was a Welshman. Just thought this should be remembered too. 🙏🏼
It is great for world rugby that the British and Irish Lions concept has continued in the professional era when some thought it might come to an end with the emphasis for the 4 home unions being the RWC every 4 years rather than Lions tours. Another unique fact about the Lions is that they are the only International rugby team that does not play in RWC tournaments for obvious reasons.
Not so unique the New Zealand Maori team play Internationals as well, and don't play in the RWC too. All Blacks our main team, may see some Maoris playing for them, pale face one's too.
Re: segment on 1971 Lions - no complaints about i/v with Willie John McBride, but the absence of Welsh voices is a problem - consider the fact that the majority of Lions players in 1971 were Welsh, as was the visionary coach Carwyn James.
The British Lions are unique in sport - the only team chosen to play exclusively away from home. Yes however the English conned the other states and another country to play under their Lion symbol!!!!
@@johnnypickles5256 ,well us in the SH don't rate them as highly as the NH do.Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen for example would run rings around them,in Lomus case he would run right over top of them.Its funny how they're highly rated yet Wales never beat NZ when they were playing so how does that work?
You're right because they've only ever won 1 series which is very poor considering they're the best players from 4 countries.Even SA give us a better challenge.
callyharley England has far more registered rugby players than any country in the world......and a shitload more than NZ. England has nearly 2 million registered players......NZ has 156 000. So England has more than 12 times as many players. Ireland has about the same number of players as NZ.
callyharley You've got your figures wrong if you think the Uk only has 166 000 players. Soccer is also very popular in NZ as is rugby league......so your 'all the best athletes' argument isn't true. For some reason the UK there seems to ridicule of NZ as if they are crap at all other sports. Nothing could be further from the truth. NZ per capita is a very strong sporting nation with world class cricketers, net ballers, athletes, cyclists, rowers, boxers, yachtsman.....we just won the Americas Cup.....did Britain even have a boat challenging! Obviously NZ would not be as strong as the UK 4 million v 60 million. But would be stronger than either Wales, Ireland or Scotland on their own.
@@johnnypickles5256 ,that's because NZ is probably the most anti soccer country in the world.Its considered a girl's game here so you should be better.NZ are more into rugged manly games like league and rugby.
@@Trajan2401 I've played all three mate and done martial arts for 20 years, and football is not nice when someone tackles you, there's probably more broken legs in soccer than any of the mentioned
@@johnnypickles5256 ,yes but the amount of broken legs are nothing compared to the amount of busted shoulders,broken legs,broken necks,broken arms,broken noses and other injuries rugby players get.
There was a tour by the Anglo Welsh rugby team in 1908. I know because my grandfather, Arthur Flowers Harding, known as Boxer Harding was the captain of that team. That tour is the reason I’m a kiwi as he fell in love with my grandmother and emigrated to NZ to marry her. 😊 I see this as the first combined British tour of NZ although it did not include Ireland players. My grandfather was a Welshman. Just thought this should be remembered too. 🙏🏼
Brilliant story, thank you for sharing
It is great for world rugby that the British and Irish Lions concept has continued in the professional era when some thought it might come to an end with the emphasis for the 4 home unions being the RWC every 4 years rather than Lions tours. Another unique fact about the Lions is that they are the only International rugby team that does not play in RWC tournaments for obvious reasons.
Not so unique the New Zealand Maori team play Internationals as well, and don't play in the RWC too. All Blacks our main team, may see some Maoris playing for them, pale face one's too.
ok@@richardmatatahi4563
Thanks👍🇬🇧
May God bless Ireland too a gr8 country
a real pleasure to see bleddyn williams talking - a gentleman and a great player
Not forgetting that the captain of the 1971 Lions was the Welsh international John Dawes!
Re: segment on 1971 Lions - no complaints about i/v with Willie John McBride, but the absence of Welsh voices is a problem - consider the fact that the majority of Lions players in 1971 were Welsh, as was the visionary coach Carwyn James.
Cameron Mike Gibson! Even Colin Meads complimented him, what a backline to be involved in.
I'm afraid you're mistaken with your description. The Harlem Globetrotters basketball team plays away from 'home' too.
I would still say the 74 Lions were slightly stronger than 71, thanks to their pack and the crushing victories, unbeaten record.
07:40 the 66 Lions I think was every mistake the Lions ever made rolled into 1
Clive Woodward: Hold my beer
13.21. I see Kirkpatrick has finally given up on the combover!!
22-8? Six tries to one?? The times have changed drastically...
I'm afraid you're mistaken with your understanding. home country.....not stadia, obviously
" Bloody Aussies" lol Gavin Hastings is such a crack up.
Don 'the boot', wow
but do they never play in NY?
The British Lions are unique in sport - the only team chosen to play exclusively away from home.
Yes however the English conned the other states and another country to play under their Lion symbol!!!!
I think you will find that the Scottish royal flag has a lion in it as well!
Not a great team at the best of times but they try at least. ABs a class apart.
Byron Jones very much so in the 1974 tour in SA, it's well documented
In how many matches did the ABs have to play under the eye of a home referee? Now we are talking......
@@mikhail1970 ,weak excuse,only the first test in 93 was ever disputed and that was an Australian ref.
I'd like to find an ab that's on the same level as Gareth Edward, jpr, or Barry John and Phil Bennett.
@@johnnypickles5256 ,well us in the SH don't rate them as highly as the NH do.Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen for example would run rings around them,in Lomus case he would run right over top of them.Its funny how they're highly rated yet Wales never beat NZ when they were playing so how does that work?
and they are not a real competitive team
You're right because they've only ever won 1 series which is very poor considering they're the best players from 4 countries.Even SA give us a better challenge.
'A mighty pride'.......that is made up of 4 countries and has managed to beat 1 country of 4 million people in one series in 11 attempts.
callyharley England has far more registered rugby players than any country in the world......and a shitload more than NZ. England has nearly 2 million registered players......NZ has 156 000. So England has more than 12 times as many players. Ireland has about the same number of players as NZ.
callyharley You've got your figures wrong if you think the Uk only has 166 000 players. Soccer is also very popular in NZ as is rugby league......so your 'all the best athletes' argument isn't true. For some reason the UK there seems to ridicule of NZ as if they are crap at all other sports. Nothing could be further from the truth. NZ per capita is a very strong sporting nation with world class cricketers, net ballers, athletes, cyclists, rowers, boxers, yachtsman.....we just won the Americas Cup.....did Britain even have a boat challenging! Obviously NZ would not be as strong as the UK 4 million v 60 million. But would be stronger than either Wales, Ireland or Scotland on their own.
NZ is mediocre sans corrupt referees anyway😂
All blacks are not one country they probably got more to pic from than the lions
@callyharley ,real men play rugby,those other sports especially soccer is for pussies.
The best players from 4 countries can't even beat a country with just over 100,000 registered players haha.The NH should just stick to gay soccer.
Silly comment, they mainly do that's the problem. But on the other hand, our rugby is better than your football that's for sure
@@johnnypickles5256 ,that's because NZ is probably the most anti soccer country in the world.Its considered a girl's game here so you should be better.NZ are more into rugged manly games like league and rugby.
@@Trajan2401 I've played all three mate and done martial arts for 20 years, and football is not nice when someone tackles you, there's probably more broken legs in soccer than any of the mentioned
@@johnnypickles5256 ,yes but the amount of broken legs are nothing compared to the amount of busted shoulders,broken legs,broken necks,broken arms,broken noses and other injuries rugby players get.
Coming from someone with a disaster of a pic as their profile, be quiet.