• RSS
  • Text Size:
  • -
  • irishtimes.com - Posted: June 21, 2009 @ 6:37 pm

    Determined to right the wrong

    Tommy

    There were a lot of disappointed faces at breakfast this morning with the realisation that we came so close and in not winning let ourselves and the supporters down.  It was a very difficult match and we made things even more difficult by giving them such a comfortable head start, leaving us with a mountain to climb.

    It was only the last 20 minutes before we really got a spring in our step and could maybe have stolen the game.  This is Test rugby, though, and at this level if you don’t take your opportunities then you will pay. South Africa took their chances and we didn’t, so in the end we paid the price.

    A positive we can take from the game is that it was the final 20 minutes we were still powering on and kicked up a gear as their front five were really starting to fade.  If we can hold their early attacks we know we can come good toward the end of the match. 

    This, going into the biggest two matches of my entire life, gives me great confidence and determination to right the wrong of yesterday.  First, I have to get picked though.

    Our back line also looked dangerous against them so if we can get more quality ball hopefully we can turn the pressure into points.

    Willie John McBride came to present our jerseys before the game and gave the team a wonderful speech. I feel we let an absolute legend of the game down and next week we will have to live up to what we promised him in that room.

    The atmosphere going out onto the pitch was like none I have ever experienced, it was amazing. 

    I’m sure the result may have dampened the spirits for a while but by walking past the hotel bar it seems people’s spirits  – probably with the help of a lot of spirits – are high again and looking forward to next week.

    Off to Cape Town for us today for the emerging Springboks game, then to Pretoria for Test number two!

    • 50 Comments »

    1.
    June 21, 2009
    7:07 pm

    Hard luck Tommy, we all believe you can do it next week.
    Best of luck,
    Jack

    Comment by Jack
    2.
    June 21, 2009
    8:03 pm

    Just remember that the last time the Lions lost their first test they won the series.

    Fingers, toes and kidneys crossed!

    xoxoxo

    Comment by confusedblonde.com
    3.
    June 21, 2009
    9:14 pm

    Tough luck to the Lions. You really cam back well in the last 20 minutes of the game. A Lions series is immense to us South Africans and this one is poised on a knife’s edge. We look forward to a cracker 2nd test!

    Comment by Raven Wampach
    4.
    June 21, 2009
    9:20 pm

    Tommy, the best of luck to all the Lions in the second test. Ye played some great rugby yesterday and you have the beating of them!!

    Ye had their defence shredded up by the end of it. Just go out and believe. We are all behind you!

    Dont stop believing!

    Comment by Hogberto
    5.
    June 21, 2009
    9:50 pm

    Tommy,

    Everyone back home (Swansea)- believe you can win the next test. You’ve been playing amazingly recently and because your an amazing rugby player you’ll probably get picked for the next test! The best is all you can do and when your at your best, we all know what your capable of! I hope my ‘Good Luck’ card is helping you out there, because I ment every word I said.

    Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant, they is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks

    Lots of Love,
    Mari Tucker.
    xx

    Comment by Mari
    6.
    June 21, 2009
    10:19 pm

    Fair play to the ‘bok, they made mince meat of the Lions and only had themselves to blame for taking their foot off the pedal. Huge task facing ye in the 2nd test. Knuckle down and make it happen. Best of luck.

    Comment by Dixon
    7.
    June 21, 2009
    10:23 pm

    I was at the Prodigy on Friday night but despite this I was up at half eight to make sure I was back home in time to watch the match and even though the score line might not suggest it, it was well worth getting up early for the last twenty minutes alone. The last few minutes were truely inspiring and I really believed you would do it. The back line was fantastic and I think Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts deserved at least a try each. Oh and give Habana a dirty look, as if to say ‘Frog off!’ on behalf of me. Best of luck for the rest of the tour, all is not lost.

    Comment by Orla
    8.
    June 21, 2009
    10:45 pm

    Can’t wait for the next instalment of the Series!

    Everyone could see that the Lions were getting the measure of the Boks.

    You showed the true spirit of a great squad in your never-say-die approach.

    Tide is turning,

    Bren

    Comment by Bren
    9.
    June 21, 2009
    11:07 pm

    habana may b able to beat a cheetha but on this lion!! good luck tommy!

    Comment by rebecca
    10.
    June 21, 2009
    11:20 pm

    habana may beat a cheetha but not dis lion!! good luck tommy!!

    Comment by Rebecca
    11.
    June 22, 2009
    12:42 am

    Tommy, You guys were AWESOME on saturday. You may not have won the battle, but that performance shows you are more than capable of winning the war, ahem, sorry, Tour and quite frankly, you and the boys did us proud no matter what the numbers looked like at the end. xx

    Comment by Lauren
    12.
    June 22, 2009
    12:43 am

    Hard luck to The Lions; but I’m pretty confident that you can come back in the next two tests!

    Don’t forget that everyone is behind you.

    The best of luck!

    Comment by Emma
    13.
    June 22, 2009
    12:46 am

    Tommy, if ye play anything like ye did in the last 20mins the next day ye’ll be unstoppable. The spirit of the team to come back as wel as they did is remarkable and a true inspiration. Was so so proud to be Irish on Saturday when i saw all the Irish Lions taking to the field. The whole country is behind ye and we fully believe ye can do the business.
    Best of luck, keep the chin up and take no prisoners!!!
    :)

    Comment by Grainne
    14.
    June 22, 2009
    6:11 am

    Give credit where it’s due——-the Lions played the full 80 minutes! and proved they outclassed the Boks in fitness, To come back ” from the dead”and come within sight of a victory was no mean effort!! Un fortunately Vickery was outclassed but hey———–you guys have a week to sort that one out…… well done Ulsterman!……. from a Downunder Ulsterman. Good luck for the rest of the series .

    Comment by bob gibson
    15.
    June 22, 2009
    8:52 am

    Tommy,
    Why was a Springbok player allowed stand over Stephen Jones-on the ground-and threaten to punch him and get away with it.Why was he allowed to that to a team mate?Think of
    Willie john’s “99″ call and do not allow yourselves to be bullied.If you want to see what I mean,watch how Ireland A bossed England Saxons off the park in the Churchill cup final.Not standing up to the Springbok’s allows them psychological advantage so the best of luck next week-you should definitely be in the team.
    Michael

    Comment by Michael J
    16.
    June 22, 2009
    9:01 am

    “Just remember that the last time the Lions lost their first test they won the series”

    confusedblonde is even more confused than she (he?) realises – last time the Lions lost their first test (NZ 2005) they went on to lose the series 3-0.

    And it’s going to take some sort of miracle to prevent the same happening again this time…

    p.s. how stupid did du Plessis look pinning BOD on the ground with his fist cocked as if to say “I’LL BURST YA! I’LL BURST YA!!” like some sad playground bruiser who nobody likes. Ha! Idiot.

    Comment by Dave
    17.
    June 22, 2009
    9:45 am

    I read with interest the passionate and forgiving nature of these comments. BIL is a fantastic institution and one wants it to be successful. As Saffers, we have this innate ability to self destruct – and it’s not the players. Were it not for our illustrious coach, the Lions would not have had a look in. You’ve had your chance so expect even more heat in the tests to come. Your backs are dangerous but useless without the ball. If the Lions don’t front up, it could get embarrasing…

    Comment by Bok
    18.
    June 22, 2009
    10:03 am

    Great tour so far Tommy. Keep it up!
    Could you take Ugo out for some finishing practice..then again he wont need it as hopefully he won’t be playing next week.

    Comment by Cathal O'Donnell
    19.
    June 22, 2009
    10:45 am

    Hard Luck The Lions, but ye must play with belief from the fist kick, ye had the beating of them and ran out of time and Paulie was right, the ref was well out of order. Believe – ye can do it, we are all behind ye.

    Comment by anna
    20.
    June 22, 2009
    11:07 am

    Well big man,
    Hard luck the other day, I thought u played pretty well. Couldn’t sleep at all on saturday night I was that dissappointed! We’ll get them next week, I just know it. Keep the head up..
    Ttyl Daz

    Comment by Darragh Mallon
    21.
    June 22, 2009
    12:15 pm

    “Willie John McBride came to present our jerseys before the game and gave the team a wonderful speech. I feel we let an absolute legend of the game down and next week we will have to live up to what we promised him in that room.”

    its all this talk of legends and the past and WJMB talking rubbish all the time. its time to put the whole lions concept to bed. i ove it more than anyone but it simply doesnt work in the modern age

    by the way fall o connell instead of BOD one of the worst decisions evermade in sport.
    i seen boxes of cereal with more charisma and with then that limerick “legend” shouldnt have been in the 22 on sat. he has also failed anytime he has come up against the SH second rows and that is a massive blemish on a CV which has a lot to do with media spin

    Comment by fabian carr
    22.
    June 22, 2009
    12:20 pm

    Love your blog Tommy.

    Interesting comments Michael J and Dave, your BAIL cubs not as innocent as you might think even our Tommy had a bit of a “moment” 60:42 into the match….

    Karl

    Comment by Karl Gruber
    23.
    June 22, 2009
    12:42 pm

    Tommy
    You & your teammates know what you have to do, and you WILL do it. We’re confident you will. No silly stuff about stuffing them – you have all the skills, knowledge and makeup to deliver. Thoughts & prayers with you, and all the Lions and coaches. You will be singing the Black Velvet Band yet !

    Comment by Eamon
    24.
    June 22, 2009
    12:47 pm

    tell that clown philips to try an pass the ball from the base of the ruck without picking it up an walkin 10 yards over to jones and handing it straight to him

    Comment by grahamfromcork
    25.
    June 22, 2009
    12:54 pm

    Dave, re the confusedblonde comments…he or she is probably a ‘new’ rugby fan whose only knowledge of rugby started when Munster won the H cup in 2006.

    Comment by Cathal
    26.
    June 22, 2009
    12:57 pm

    An old African saying “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.”
    I have been very impressed with your use of the ball, making as many tries as you score. Selfless. A great mark of a great player – Another old saying comes to mind:
    “Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick”
    Good luck next Saturday, h

    Comment by Wee Harry
    27.
    June 22, 2009
    1:36 pm

    Hello Tommy and the Lions,

    Great game last week, even though you got a couple of easy tries. Even if all 15 of you have the games of your lives, we’re going to be even more charged up and ready to prove that the series is ours, 3-0. You’re playing at Loftus, and our boys will be surging with energy from a crowd that will only be happy with a thrashing.

    Word is that the BEAST will be ending a career every game. Ha ha ha.

    Still can’t understand why you guys aren’t playing O’Gara, you need to be as clinical as possible. We’re the best team in the world.

    BOKS ARE ON ANOTHER LEVEL! And our blood is green.

    Comment by William Armstrong
    28.
    June 22, 2009
    1:46 pm

    Oh you Lions supporters are weak! It was little Brian O’Driscoll on the ground underneath Du Plessis, and Rockman Bizmark was making him SOIL HIS SHORTS! Didn’t you see him squirming on the turf? Ha ha ha ha.

    Michael J, you sound ridiculous: “How could he be allowed to get away with threatening a Lions player”… Ha ha ha, are you serious? Do you want the ref do give him a card for threatening one of your boys? Ha ha ha, Bizmark showed great composure to not smash down on him UFC style.

    Problem with the Lions is that they try to mathc our physicality, but in truth, they can’t, we’re bigger and stronger. If you want any hope in hell of beating us you need to try and do it in the set plays, where I must say O’Driscoll and Roberts were combining nicely. A pleasure to see such a class centre (B.O’D.)on the field.

    South Africa by 18 points this weekend.

    Comment by Tom Johnston
    29.
    June 22, 2009
    1:49 pm

    Don’t get too comfortable patting yourselves on the back for a “nearly”. You never know what a good side has in the tank until you take the lead. Watch the all-blacks etc.

    Comment by Mike
    30.
    June 22, 2009
    1:51 pm

    I have one word for you: BEEEEEEEEEAST!!!!!!!!

    Comment by Dewald van Niekerk
    31.
    June 22, 2009
    2:03 pm

    You’ve definitely got the beating of them and can take this series!

    They didn’t look like they had much left in the tank in the last 20 mins and looked rattled when they realised there was only 5 points in it to draw!

    I would be out there if given half the chance (sitting at home with a broken elbow!)… Remember we’re all cheering you on at home even if we couldn’t make it to the stadium!

    We believe in you guys…make us proud!

    Comment by Jewels
    32.
    June 22, 2009
    2:18 pm

    tell that clown philips to try an pass the ball from the base of the ruck without picking it up an walkin 10 yards over to jones and handing it straight to him.

    Comment by grahamfromcork
    33.
    June 22, 2009
    2:28 pm

    Keep the chin up T-Bomb!!!
    I have a feeling the second test will go our way.

    Keep doing what you’ve been doing all season and you won’t go wrong.

    Gluk!

    Comment by Eoin
    34.
    June 22, 2009
    3:02 pm

    You’ve got the beating of them for definite. The Lions performance in the last section was inspiring.

    Comment by Joanne
    35.
    June 22, 2009
    3:20 pm

    Really enjoyed the match. Games was over after 50 minutes or so. The SpringBok took their eye off the ball and made some unnecessary substitutions. As with all subs it takes a few mniutes to get up to the pace of the game. They eill not make the same mistake twice. The scrum was embarrassing, and we need to get the ball to Waltzing O`Driscoll as often as we can. The line out throwing was very poor. Flannery is badly missed.

    Best of luck.

    Comment by hammer
    36.
    June 22, 2009
    3:48 pm

    Bryan Habana is going to eat you alive at Loftus my friend…

    Comment by Juan Mouton
    37.
    June 22, 2009
    5:59 pm

    O’Gara, O’Callaghan and Kearney must be starters in the second Test. with Bull Hayes on the bench! Start Jenkins, Rees and Jones in the front. The backrow might include two opensides to compete for the ball on the deck (ala Smith and Waugh).for quick ball to a great backline. Bring Croft on after 60 minutes start Williams and Wallace. Its either Fitzgerald or Shane Williams on the left wing or a gamble with Earls. Shane and Monye are not upto it at the moment!!

    Comment by scrumdog
    38.
    June 22, 2009
    7:05 pm

    I cannot understand those who take issue with the Lions concept; I see it as an opportunity for trained, skilled professionals to form an international squad, to contest with the best test sides in the world. What is the problem with that? If the attitudes of the players who are selected to play for the Lions are anything to go by, they are clearly very proud, and willling to play for each other in ways that other representative teams might learn from. I think that the the British and Irish Lions contribute to that positive sense of a global rugby community that all players and supporters feel. As for those who take their opportunity to score points against others by bragging about the superior physical size and capacity for violence of their national team members, just remember that rugby thrives in the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play that pervades so many of the great games that might be recalled from the past. If you want to glory in mindless violence, join a nasty, bigoted, sectarian organisation, pick on small children outside schools, or get into pointless fights outside bars and nightclubs. That would seem to be your calling. In other words, stay off the rugby pitch.

    Comment by Dizzy
    39.
    June 22, 2009
    7:11 pm

    Hey Tommy hard luck on saturday, what a thrilling end!! At least now you know you have the beating of them! Don’t be too down hearted, everyone back home is very proud of the whole teams preformance! You defo deserved to get picked on saturday!! Think he should give Rog a go over Jones though! Ye will do it on saturday!! Tell Rog delighted he is getting to captain the team tomorrow night! Go on THE BULL!! Carrie – Limerick

    Comment by Carrie
    40.
    June 22, 2009
    9:58 pm

    Good luck Tommy ,keep the faith,remember you skinned world played the year for that awesome
    try and we know how that ended.( how’s donner’s tan)

    Comment by beth and kyle, belfast
    41.
    June 22, 2009
    11:50 pm

    So proud of all those guys out there on saturday …. especially the Irish contingent, The last 20 mins were cracking and if the Ref lets the match play there is definatley a title there for the taking!!
    Best of luck and enjoy every minute of it Tommy ….. we shall look forward to some singing at the home coming!!!

    Fionnuala, :)

    Comment by Fionnuala
    42.
    June 22, 2009
    11:53 pm

    Tommy, love your diary and you’re playing blinders. I have full confidence that you can win 2nd and 3d tests.Rog must start, and Rob also.We have magic in the centre, BOD and Jamie are playing amazing rugby. We must get our scrums sorted, and lineouts more accurate, oh for Jerry Flannery. Best of luck
    Maura

    Comment by mad fab Maura
    43.
    June 23, 2009
    6:59 am

    Stand up and fight. Fight like Hell.

    The loss of the 1st test will make a series victory all the sweeter and cement this lions squad as one of the greatest.

    Believe.

    Colm

    Comment by Colm
    44.
    June 23, 2009
    10:38 am

    Good luck Tommy for games.. Will be there on Saturday in Pretoria singing away “her eyes they shone like diamonds”. Go n-eiri libh :)

    Comment by Rosalyn McG
    45.
    June 23, 2009
    11:35 am

    hello tommy and the guys,

    saturday was disappointin but look at the bright side theres always the next test and we all no that u will do it! :D

    love u all

    jamie lee xox

    Comment by Jamie-Lee Keenan
    46.
    June 23, 2009
    11:37 am

    I have to say, I felt sorry for Phil Vickery. Nobody likes to see anybody totally humiliated, as he was by the beast. All those penalties rightly or wrongly cost us the game. Of course it didnt help that the referee was a total prick. He was giving penalties against Vickery when he wasnt even on the same side of the scrum. I now understand how the Kiwis must have felt about Wayne Barnes and ‘that decsion’ against France in the World Cup.

    Comment by Niall
    47.
    June 23, 2009
    12:20 pm

    Good luck in the second test.

    You’d have Bryan in a fight can’t wait for round two.

    Comment by Ross M
    48.
    June 23, 2009
    3:40 pm

    Tommy.
    You have to treat the second test as the second half of the first. Unfinished business that needs to be tied up.
    Best of luck to all, its there for you but you have to work for it.
    Slan.

    Comment by Seamus
    49.
    June 24, 2009
    1:02 pm

    Boks To Win, Boks To Win, Boks To Win.

    Comment by Tom Johnston
    50.
    June 26, 2009
    4:13 pm

    The Lions can do it. This is the glory year for the Irish boys nothing can stop it not even the boks.

    Comment by Peter Robson

    Leave a comment

    When submitted, your comment will be moderated and, once approved, will appear on the site.

    The Irish Times reserves the absolute right not to publish comments.


Search Inside the Lions' Den