An Australian take on Lion's v Otgao

Andrew
By Andrew
June 21 2005

England's NSW Australian Columnist gives his view on the Lions v Otago match. Again like the rest of us he thought that Charlie Hodgson had a excellent game.

 

A Royal Exhibition, Otago v British and Irish Lions

 

The Stadium at Carisbrook is known as the “House of Pain” because of the years of torture it has dished out to touring would be usurpers. The Wallabies had been trying to breach the fortress since 1913. It took ten games and until 2001 before a team led by Prince John Eales attacked and relieved the All Blacks of Lord Bledisloe’s enormous silver challis. The English have played and lost there only twice, same for the Irish, your lot are not silly.

 

Tonight your report is coming live from the Royal Exhibition Hotel or “The Platform” as we commoners call it, so named because the hotel runs parallel to Sydney’s, Central Railway and is platform 27, not unlike the 19th hole on a golf course.

 

Readers who voyaged “down under” for the last British and Irish Lions (Lions) tour and World Cup would probably have fond memories of the Royal, as a rallying point for fans to enjoy a sherbet before catching the train to Telstra Stadium, a twenty minute journey out to Olympic Park, Homebush.

 

When Antipodean’s Rules Football is being played on the same day as Test Rugby at Telstra, an interesting mix of fans occurs, as the Royal is the launching pad for the many Sydney Swans supporters who head in the opposite direction, up the hill to the majestic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

 

One of the things I always note about the telecasts from Carisbrook is the footage of the spectators. Being a University town the crowd seems full of exuberate undergraduates with happy shining faces.    And how good was that minstrel Andrew James who really connected with Lions’ song and sang it in right rugby fashion, his rendition should see it catch on.

 

Initially, I thought the Lions where going to stutter and start where they finished at Wellington. The Jester, Linden Bray didn’t help early in the game, playing a merry tune on his whistle and feigning an amputated arm (got to be careful not to sound like a TIAO).

 

However, Captain Bulloch and his forwards made good their Thursday oath to be the strong front five, scrummage well and starve Otago of the ball.   Was it my imagination or did Baron Charlie Hodgson perform like he owned the park?      He will be disappointed if Sir Clive doesn’t upgrade him to Duke for the Test.

 

A three tries to one result at Carisbrook, with the Baron kicking three from three is a conquest accomplished.   Oh and who has the best record at Carisbrook against the All Blacks? The mighty Lions of course, two wins (1930, 70), draw (1950) and five losses (1908, 59, 66, 77, 83).

 

Until next time, Andrew signing off…