Prepare for an onslaught, warns Geech
BRITISH and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan insists this summer’s tour of South Africa will be more difficult than when he last triumphed there 12 years ago.
The Scot famously led the Lions to a 2-1 victory over the hosts back in 1997 to follow up his success there as a player 23 years previous.
But in a press conference to mark the team’s arrival in Johannesburg yesterday, McGeechan warned that the world champions will be a tough nut to crack and desperately seeking revenge.
“Yes, it will be hugely more difficult,” the former Wasps director of rugby said. “South African rugby is in very good shape – the structures with the Super 14, the players who have come through that, a settled Springbok side with a very good captain a very strong coaching team.
“So, having come through from a World Cup, I think they’ve established themselves post that and that stability at international level is very important.” He added: “There are a lot of players hitting form at the right time. It shows there’s a lot of players in good form.”
The Lions kick off their tour with a game against a Royal XV in Rustenburg on Saturday – the first of ten games in total with the highlight being the three Tests with the Springboks.
McGeechan, of course, has experienced South African hospitality twice before, and insists motivating his 36-man squad will not be a problem for a Touyr of this calibre.
“To come to a country where rugby has always been number one and so important, raises your own ambitions,” he said.“I never knew any easy grounds and I don’t anticipate any on this tour either.”