Rugby Supernova

Let's throw it back to Eden Park in 1994, to the second test between New Zealand and France. With the visitors having won the first game in Christchurch, they found themselves trailing behind while entering the final stages of the match. Cue that unmistakable French flair, as Philippe Saint-Andre launched a counter attack from his own 22, a series of brilliant passes and running lines between backs and forwards ensued.  Full back Jean-Luc Sadourny finished off one of the greatest length of the field scores; 'the try from the end of the world' claimed a memorable test series victory for the French and a rare loss at Eden Park for the All Blacks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTwTi-UeQ7s 'Rare' is indeed the key word as the All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park since, and despite the Lions best efforts on Saturday morning, their impressive 23 year record still stands. Though it looked like the unbeaten record would be ended almost as identically as it began, wit...

So the stage was set: after months and months of debate and speculation about the squad selection, the first tour game was finally upon us. For the next six weeks, lazy Saturday morning lie-ins will be replaced with the scent of early morning coffee and the sounds of sizzling bacon. Akin to the excitement of young children on Christmas morning, Lions fans across Britain and Ireland rose early in anticipation.  The 2017 opening party was due to be a simple stroll in the park for the visitors against a bunch of fringe Super Rugby players; the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians had been thrown together just seven days before, it was forecast to be a gentle game to ease the Lions into the tour. In contrast to our expectations, the tone was set right from the first whistle, as opposing fly-half Bryn Gatland chipped a short low kick towards Iain Henderson who miss-timed his jump, and the ball landed straight into winger Sevu Reece's hands. Fortunately for the Lions, no points were conce...