Squad mourns loss of wounded Lions … and ROG
Tommy
The squad was dealt a terrible blow yesterday as we found out that Leigh Halfpenny and Stephen Ferris were heading home. Leigh could not hold in his emotions at training when he realised his leg was not getting better. For him to join the squad late thinking his leg was better again and then to find out it’s not must be so difficult for him.
Typical Stephen on the other hand has sat in the team room and put a brave face on, trying his best to be positive, but I can only imagine what must be going on in his head. He has been outstanding on this trip so far and in my opinion was a shoo-in for a Test place.
I’m very friendly with Stephen and am absolutely devastated for him, he has become one of the most popular men in the squad and every single player here feels terrible seeing him walk around on crutches.
I’m looking down at him from my balcony as he sits on the beach, on his own and on the phone to someone at home. It’s a very hard time for him but he still manages to force a smile.
There have been a lot of injuries to players since the Lions squad was first announced but these two (Halfpenny and Ferris) have really hit home with me. We are so close to living the dream by playing for the Lions against the Springboks – a dream very few get to live out, but in sport that dream can be taken away so quickly.
On a brighter note, there is a bit of a clique forming as Ronan O’Gara-Jones (a rare funny joke from Rob Kearney) has decided to ditch the Irish guys and become best buddies with the Welsh boys. There are rumours within the squad that ROGJ may be looking at a Welsh club next year.
The guys not in the 22 for today’s (Wednesday) match went out for dinner last night to another brilliant steakhouse called the Butcher Boys.
Lions fever is really kicking in now as we were greeted at the restaurant with every table serenading us with their best version of Ireland’s Call, Fields of Athenry, Flower of Scotland and Swing Low Sweet Chariot. The boys tried embarrassing me by trying to get Black Velvet Band going but thankfully it didn’t catch on.
A quick stop-off in the casino followed where Keith Curls, Ugo Monye and Darce cleaned up as the rest of us left with our tails between our legs.
11:37 pm
“there is not a player here who feels terrible seeing him walk around on his crutches”
Well he should know that everybody back here in Ireland is devastated for him and wishes him all the best.
Comment by Jack