Lions Tour 1974, - "107 tries, one glass eye and a 99 (Or 999)"

1974. A year of turmoil, political fingers in sport, physical intimidation, a 34 year old passionate captain and a ‘99’ call that has gone down in rugby union and Lions history and folk law.

In 1971 the British and Irish Lions had come back from a successful tour of New Zealand. During that campaign they had play provincial side Canterbury. It was described as ‘the dirtiest game of rugby’ by many. With accusations of attempted knobbling of Lions players before the following test. The 1974 captain big Willie John McBride was involved in that game.

Bring on South Africa in 1974. South Africa a nation the Lions had not beaten in a full series in 78 years. That’s a long time. A nation that prided itself on physical presence and intimidation as a national trait. Blend that with demonstrations and political pressure on teams touring South Africa and the situation was tense to say the lease. Lose and you can be sure in that climate the apartheid regime in South Africa would laud the white Boer supremacy.

Although importantly for the first time ever the Lions were also due to play a black and a coloured team.

WJM knew this and it featured in his first team speech:

“I've been in South Africa before and there's going to be a lot of physical intimidation, a lot of cheating. So if you're not up for a fight, there's the door."

No one left and there was forged a bond that would make this team special. Determined that a boycott would help no one especially the majority black population. This team of amateurs – steelworker, farmers, banker, solicitor, teachers, engineers and a special miner’s son gave up their time from their jobs, mostly unpaid without any of the back up logistics and backroom structures we see today. 32 players facing 22 matches in a little over 15 weeks. No substitutes without a doctor approving them and in the end they only used 16 players in the four test matches

As Bobby Windsor, the Welsh hooker put it:

"I was skint," he admits, "so I went on a 15-week tour with £40 in my pocket! I had to do some ducking and diving while I was away, I can tell you."

In this intimidating at the ‘99’ call was forged. Originally the British ‘999’ call after the emergency services (Especially one guesses the ambulances) it was shortened to eb quicker to call in the heated match cauldrons the Lions encountered. From here on in it entered into Lions folklore for good or bad depending on your view point.

The tactic was simple, “Get your retaliation in first!” (Willie John McBride). It was the fiercest embodiment of a team culture. One in all in. If a team mate was in trouble the ‘99’ was called and all hell would break loose. Every Lions player would lay into the nearest Bok or provincial side player. It was not used every match, just when needed to prove that the Lions would not be intimidated and take the usual South African welcome lying down.

Willie John and coach Syd Miller knew they had to break the Bok spirit, totally demoralise them. To lose as a South African rugby player was in their eyes to commit treason almost by letting down a nation and a doctrine. It worked too. The South Africans were found wanting.

First Test 12-3 to the Lions

Second Test 28-9 to the Lions (One of the biggest defeats by SA on home soil at that time)

The Boks were being savaged by the intensity of the Lions forwards and the skills of such greats as Phil Bennett and JJ Williams on the wing.

Then came the third test and the infamous ‘Battle of Boet Erasmus’. The wounded South Africans came out almost foaming at the mouth ready to bury the Lions players physically rather than by the score. They had dropped all but 5 players from the previous tests. Journalists recall the team looking almost demented as they ran onto the pitch.

For about 30 minutes the boks piled into the Lions who gave as good as they got tackling hard never giving quarter. Many Lions players recall it as the most intense rugby experience they ahd ever encountered. Then Gordon Brown went over for the first Lions score and as Dick Miliken said:

“It was as if the bubble had burst for the Springboks.”

The Lions went on to win 26-9 sealing the test series 3-0 with one match to play. The match marked some of the finest rugby played by the Lions players as well as the fights and almost comical moments.

At one point Brown puched his opposite number from South Africa, Johan de Bruyn. His glass eye (Yes you heard that right a player on the pitch with one eye) pinged out and landed in the mud somewhere. Amidst the violence, passion and rivalry there was shared experience too as players from both sides and the referee got down on their hands and knees feeling about in the mud. Eventually there was a, “Eureka”. Johan de Bruyn grabbed his eye and just pops it straight back in the empty socket.

More memorable and the abiding image of that match was full back JPR Williams. A fight broke out int the Boks half. True to the 99 mentality he sprinted 60 yards up the pitch from his position and smashed a right hook into Moaner van Heerden the SA second row.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnPVfbG3rVM

The South Africans looked broken by the end of the test. The final test had more controversy. With the scores tied on 13-13 Fergus Slattery powered over for what looked like the winning try in the last few minutes. Amazingly the referee disallowed it. The match ended tied the only blemish on the tour. But everyone knew it was a bum call. In private the referee later conceded this but as he pointed out he had to live in South Africa afterwards.

Despite this the 1974 Lions will always go down as the ‘Invincibles’. A group of players so closely bonded in adversity in the heyday of amateur rugby.

They scored 107 tries, letting in only 13.

They used only 16 players in the four Tests.

Of course there are many other sides to that famous tour. The shenanigans and goings on of cetain players along with the fanatical support generated for the Lions amongst the black populace and the first time a touring team had played against a black side. But those are stories for another time.

Great link to video of interview with Willie John McBride about the 99 call.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU-c4YyEVMY

It is unlikey we shall see such a tour again with the social media and coverage exposing and nosing into every facet of tour life

England Show There Inexperience In Twickenham Thriller Against The All Blacks

They said England would be flattened by an All Blacks steamroller.  They said the English scrum was doomed to be pushed all over Twickenham.  Instead we were treated to an exciting match of epic encounters which England lost by 1 point.  But they should have won.

No I don't mean the over analysed disallowed try that other England fans are using as an excuse.  I mean...well let me tell you a story.

 

Once again England ambush the AB's spring out of the blocks like 4 years ago and setting up a 15-0 lead within 20 minutes with tries from a newly re-instated Chris Ashton and co-captain Dylan Hartley plus a penalty. We all knew that the AB's would come back but having the lead is a massive mental high.

 

Sure enough a great move and constant pressure from New Zealand eventually told with a try from McKenzie who was a threat all day. But then with stupid lack of discipline Beauden Barret was allowed to make it 15-10 before half time. Bad game management no.1.

 

A second half brought a hard fought affair with England yet again getting on the wrong side of the referee and Barrett kicking 2 more penalties for New Zealand at last to take the lead. Therein lies the problem yet again. poor discipline and conceding penalties at the wrong time in the wrong areas of the pitch. You can't give the lead back to a team like the All Blacks. Bad Game Management No.2

 

Now we come the the critical moment of the game. No NOT the long debated and over analysed disallowed try. That is irrelevant. yes you heard right irrelevant. The referees decided it was offside and that is all that counts. Dry your tears and man up. It was the last minute of the game. England had the ball in the New Zealand half driving forward with energy. I for one was expecting a sense of calm and steely determination for them to drive down like England 2003 controlling the ball and put over the vital drop goal to win the match.

 

What did we get instead? Mis-management. A complete lack of leadership from Care, Ford and Farrell between them to realise this and do it. Those are the crucial 3 players in the right positions to marchall both the forwards and backs. Instead we slung the ball around eventually fluffing a pass to nowell. I held my head in my hands in despair! Bad Game Management 3.

 

England could have and should have won this game. It was in their own hands. It doesn't matter about the disallowed try or anything else the referee did or didn't miss or penalise throughout the game. This game came down to 30 seconds where England could have shown themselves to be a streetwise mature outfit with a ruthless edge for winning. They failed the test.

 

Do you think the All Blacks would have failed in the same position? Or Wales or Ireland? I think not.

 

Despite this I was hugely encouraged by the England performance I saw. Committed, fierce and fast paced at times. It needs to be consistent though.

 

Highlights for me were:

 

SAM UNDERHILL - without doubt the standout player. Huge presence he was everywhere tackling running and offering him self up. The sidestep in the failed late try was brilliant!

 

COURTNEY LAWES - Despite the offside for the try he was back to his menacing self. A pain to NZ when he came on as a temporary replacement I think he needs to start instead of Itoje who is all over the place mentally by the looks of it.

 

The scrum was hugely improved despite all the warnings of doom from the media and New Zealand themselves.

 

But the line out was appalling. get it sorted.

 

So we almost abushed the All Blacks and performed way above what I was expecting. If only Eddie could keep his mouth shut sometimes now....

The Doddie Weir Cup - A Farce You Couldn't Write

Despite the fact that it interrupts Club and European Rugby so much. Despite the fact that we wince and fear injuries to our top stars, the Autumn Internationals are always eagerly anticipated.  I know for one that there is nothing like a full blown match screaming for your country.  The visit of the Southern Hemisphere teams and the chance to get one over on them is so exciting too.

So when the fixtures were announced and I saw Wales v Scotland it was more like, "Whaaaaat?". What was the point of an early 6 Nations encounter? Sounded like more like a soft fixture to generate some cash.  But then it was changed to honour a great player, huge ambassador for the game and a man who despite suffering from Motor Neurone Disease continues to selflessly campaign and raise money for his charity the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.

As you know at Tackle and Ruck we are proud to support Doddie's charity and £1 of everything you buy goes to that great cause.

But what then? The great powers that be of the Scottish and Wales Rugby Unions tell us that, despite naming it the Doddie Weir Cup and increasing ticket sales on the assumed belief by fans that part of the ticket sales were going to My Name'5 Doddie Foundation , they would be giving NOTHING and slap themselves on the back that they were raising awareness.  How laudable.  Of course this is from the same Welsh Union that recently announced profits of over £95 million!  I hope who ever got together for this one is now collecting their P45's.

But unlike a lot of sports the Rugby Union family is not quite as stupid as that.  I think they totally underestimated the response they would get.  A completely united front from fans, players and also the media created a wonderful irresistible storm.  Social media was on fire and now, under pressure, Wales and Scotland have back pedaled and said they would donate a 6 figure sum.  Why they can't just say how much is beyond me but let's be thankful sense did prevail, although I would guess it's 6 figures between them rather than each.

Scottish T-Shirts, Hoodies and Mugs

The question remains though why did they do such a stupid thing in the first place?  Just to try sell more tickets and pocket the money? After all with 4 internationals at around £75 at ticket at the Millennium Stadium fans are going to pick and choose.  If it's a choice between Australia, South Africa, Tonga and Scotland which matches would you choose?  Exactly the Scotland match would come right down the list.  But if they had said it's the Doddie Weir Cup and we are donating say £5 from every ticket to the Foundation they would have probably got even more sales.

I am just thankful to be a part of a sport with such great fans, that pull together when they need to whatever country or club they support. But the guys at the top need to wake up a bit or we are going to end up like football with money ruling and fans completely priced out and ignored.  I hope that doesn't happen.

Anyway that's my little rant out of the way.  I hope all the AI's are great games and the Home Nations get a clean sweep (I am an optimist).  If you want to support My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and help the 'Mad Giraffe' raise more money and support your country at the same time, drop by our store. Everything sold gives £1 to Doddie.  It's our little way of giving back.
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