'Lions are bigger than the All Blacks'

[sifplay]

I completely understand a Frenchman not understanding the Lions, if it wasn't for all the history and tradition of the Lions tour and somebody pitched it for the first time today you'd probably tell him to **** off and stop wasting the Summer. The Lions is brilliant because of the history and nations not involved could easily think it to be stupid.

Even though the Lions is the pinnacle I think most people would choose to have caps for their country but no Lions caps than the other way around.

Have a look at this. http://springbokrugby.webs.com/1891lions.htm
From the eyes of a South African rugby fan who loves the game and not just a team. He wrote good stuff and give a llot of detail in all the international tours

 

[McTallshort]

Commercially yes the Lions are bigger than the All Blacks but thats only because it happens every 4 years. If you had a Lions tour every summer it would soon become very forgettable.

 

[admartian]

Really - bigger? Well I guess if the All Blacks don't pick Tameifuna, Afeaki, and Big Mac... :lol:

 

[FlukeArtist]

I think if you asked the average man on the street to name a rugby team most would say "All Blacks".
I would be very suprised if The Lions were mentioned by anyone outside the UK

That says to me that the ABs are bigger than the Lions.

I understand the Lions are a special team and play only once every 4 years, but Sorry; they ain't bigger than the ABs on a global scale

And contrary to Sifplay's notion, it is not because they are "promoted by the IRB" or whatever. But rather; like Manchester United, New York Yankees, or LA Lakers, they are just iconic in their sport.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

I think if you asked the average man on the street to name a rugby team most would say "All Blacks".
I would be very suprised if The Lions were mentioned by anyone outside the UK

That says to me that the ABs are bigger than the Lions.

I understand the Lions are a special team and play only once every 4 years, but Sorry; they ain't bigger than the ABs on a global scale

And contrary to Sifplay's notion, it is not because they are "promoted by the IRB" or whatever. But rather; like Manchester United, New York Yankees, or LA Lakers, they are just iconic in their sport.

You can't consider the Lions as an average rugby team though. Besides, define the 'average man'? What, anyone on the street? Or average man in terms of rugby knowledge?
If it was the former, then obviously - they probably won't even know what the Lions is. The latter, well that's debatable.

 

[FlukeArtist]

You can't consider the Lions as an average rugby team though. Besides, define the 'average man'? What, anyone on the street? Or average man in terms of rugby knowledge?
If it was the former, then obviously - they probably won't even know what the Lions is. The latter, well that's debatable.

Hi Ulster,

Certainly the former would say the ABs, but I think even someone with rugby Knowledge would more than likely say the ABs before the Lions

But i'll temper that by saying that if I was in Ulster, I would probably expect the man on the street (with rugby knowledge) to say Ulster, or Ireland.
Likewise, if you asked someone in Auckland, they would say Auckland, The Blues, or the ABs.

I guess it's a moot point anyway.
Like someone else on here has already pointed out; the fact the McGeechan feels he needs to draw comparisons with the ABs says a lot about the ABs status. Whether or not he is right in his estimation of "which team is bigger" is another matter altogether.
Obviously, I don't share his view.

IMO; Success tends to breed notoriety, and history shows that the Lions tend to underachieve really.

 

[admartian]

You can't consider the Lions as an average rugby team though. Besides, define the 'average man'? What, anyone on the street? Or average man in terms of rugby knowledge?
If it was the former, then obviously - they probably won't even know what the Lions is. The latter, well that's debatable.

Certainly there are going to be geographical differences in opinion. But if you were to conduct this from a relatively unbiased sample size (n) and taking away the reasons as to why this is etc as well.; those who haven't heard of rugby (a); those who have heard of rugby or have seen it (b); those with a passing interest in sport (c) = what percentage of (n) would say they have heard of the Lions over the All Blacks?

That's probably a better question. I don't know the answer, but I would posit fro your average non-rugby fan in the States, India, China, Russia, (all large nations with their own major sports) - would likely say the All Blacks. At least that would be my hypothesis. Conducting this survey is another matter; but again, I don't see how the B&I Lions would come out on top honestly - and you wouldn't either if one were honest to themselves.

 

[j'nuh]

But Geech said the "biggest in the year it exists", not the biggest team overall. (The thread/article ***le doesn't help here!) The article also clarifies that he means it in terms of "box office draw" and not necessarily global interest. And it's true - all the international attention of this year is being drawn to the Lions tour.

Even on this forum, the Lions have a thread that has generated 43 pages (and counting) of discussion, and we haven't even started the tour/had a team announcement yet!

 

[FlukeArtist]

But Geech said the "biggest in the year it exists", not the biggest team overall. (The thread/article ***le doesn't help here!) The article also clarifies that he means it in terms of "box office draw" and not necessarily global interest. And it's true - all the international attention of this year is being drawn to the Lions tour.

Even on this forum, the Lions have a thread that has generated 43 pages (and counting) of discussion, and we haven't even started the tour/had a team announcement yet!

Fair enough, and thanks for the clarification about what McGeechan meant (I admit I haven't read the article yet).

And you are right- in a Lions year, The Lions are most definitely THE talking point in world rugby.
It's a pretty exciting and unique occurrence to be honest.
I remember the hype here in '05 for the tour - it was massive.

And I even dallied with the idea of travelling to Australia to watch one of the tests, but the cost was too much in the end.

 

[sifplay]

I think if you asked the average man on the street to name a rugby team most would say "All Blacks".
I would be very suprised if The Lions were mentioned by anyone outside the UK

That says to me that the ABs are bigger than the Lions.

I understand the Lions are a special team and play only once every 4 years, but Sorry; they ain't bigger than the ABs on a global scale

And contrary to Sifplay's notion, it is not because they are "promoted by the IRB" or whatever. But rather; like Manchester United, New York Yankees, or LA Lakers, they are just iconic in their sport.

The AIG sponsorship, Jeff Wilson quitting due to getting sick of the constant photo shoots and posing as well as Paddy's personal visit to the NZ hotel to apologize for Stuart Dickinson's poor performance which he publicy criticize suggests otherwise.

 

[FlukeArtist]

The AIG sponsorship, Jeff Wilson quitting due to getting sick of the constant photo shoots and posing as well as Paddy's personal visit to the NZ hotel to apologize for Stuart Dickinson's poor performance which he publicy criticize suggests otherwise.

Sifplay - perhaps you can explain how AIG sponsorship has anything to do with the IRB's influence??

You sound paranoid chief.

Tell me, are you one of those Saffas that think that there is global referring conspiracy against the Springboks?

 

[OneBlackEye]

Has anyone even read the article?
The quote is:

"If you've got a team that go halfway around the world and take 35,000 people with it to support it, then in the year it exists it's the biggest team in world rugby"

So yeah, thats true. Im not sure any country will take 35,000 supporters to a World Cup. I have no idea about that though, whether he made "35,000" up or how many supports travel for a world cup? It just sounds like a lot and the traveling madness that follows a Lions tour is pretty well known.

Overall though, the ABs are obviously more well known, anyone that doesnt realise that is retarded. I very much doubt there is anyone in the world that has heard of rugby and not heard of the All Blacks. But in this case I dont think thats what "bigger than" was referring to.

 

[admartian]

Has anyone even read the article?
The quote is:

Nope.

 

[OneBlackEye]

Jeff Wilson quitting due to getting sick of the constant photo shoots and posing

Where is this from? I always though Jeff Wilson was the biggest poser of all time.

 

[nickdnz]

The AIG sponsorship, Jeff Wilson quitting due to getting sick of the constant photo shoots and posing as well as Paddy's personal visit to the NZ hotel to apologize for Stuart Dickinson's poor performance which he publicy criticize suggests otherwise.

Huh? Jeff Wilson quit because he realised he was getting on a bit and wanted to use his remainding time to continue his cricket carreer - which went till 2005. WTF has AIG got to do with anything? South Africa has sponsors as well...And Paddy O'Brien publically apologuised for Dickinson's terrible performance (something he has done prior to 2009 as well - he also defended Stuart Barnes after his shocker in 2007). I've mainly tried to be polite up to this point, but man you are an idiot. You just ramble on with out making any point, just throw out some buzz words you hope will get some kind of reaction...

 

[FlukeArtist]

Huh? Jeff Wilson quit because he realised he was getting on a bit and wanted to use his remainding time to continue his cricket carreer - which went till 2005. WTF has AIG got to do with anything? South Africa has sponsors as well...And Paddy O'Brien publically apologuised for Dickinson's terrible performance (something he has done prior to 2009 as well - he also defended Stuart Barnes after his shocker in 2007). I've mainly tried to be polite up to this point, but man you are an idiot. You just ramble on with out making any point, just throw out some buzz words you hope will get some kind of reaction...

Totally agree Nick.
He is either a WUM or a complete moron

 

[lucky number 7]

I think if you asked the average man on the street to name a rugby team most would say "All Blacks".
I would be very suprised if The Lions were mentioned by anyone outside the UK

That says to me that the ABs are bigger than the Lions.

I understand the Lions are a special team and play only once every 4 years, but Sorry; they ain't bigger than the ABs on a global scale

And contrary to Sifplay's notion, it is not because they are "promoted by the IRB" or whatever. But rather; like Manchester United, New York Yankees, or LA Lakers, they are just iconic in their sport.

You're forgetting most people on the street are ****ing idiots.

Also it's natural that people would remember the best team at the current time , who play regularly and not once every four years.

I'd consider the Lions tour to be the pinnacle of any players career , and the bhype that surrounds it every summer far outweighs the tri nations six nations and indeed in my opinion the World Cup...the Lions is special

 

[admartian]

You're forgetting most people on the street are ****ing idiots.

Also it's natural that people would remember the best team at the current time , who play regularly and not once every four years.

I'd consider the Lions tour to be the pinnacle of any players career , and the bhype that surrounds it every summer far outweighs the tri nations six nations and indeed in my opinion the World Cup...the Lions is special

SO you don't walk on the streets? Cool generalisation bro!

 

[lucky number 7]

SO you don't walk on the streets? Cool generalisation bro!

Most , Most...

It's true though the majority of people don't know much about anything. least of all the significance of the All Blacks or a Lions tour and the pride and history surrounding both.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

You're forgetting most people on the street are ****ing idiots.

Also it's natural that people would remember the best team at the current time , who play regularly and not once every four years.

I'd consider the Lions tour to be the pinnacle of any players career , and the bhype that surrounds it every summer far outweighs the tri nations six nations and indeed in my opinion the World Cup...the Lions is special

Really? I'd much rather win a World Cup than a Lion's tour...