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Lions forwards must be primed for first Test - Vickery
By Christopher Devine
Two-time British and Irish Lions tourist Phil Vickery believes the condition of Warren Gatland's forwards going into the first Test will be central to their chances of success in New Zealand.
Former England prop Vickery - a veteran of 78 Test caps - represented the Lions in 2001 and 2009, either side of their last visit to New Zealand in 2005.
Much has been made of the gruelling schedule the current squad face before taking on the All Blacks, with Saturday's tour opener against the Provincial Barbarians the first of six pre-Test warm-up matches.
"I think the key for me is that first Test", Vickery told Omnisport. "And it will be how they arrive at that first Test for me, particularly the forward pack.
"[Brodie] Retallick and [Sam] Whitelock in that second row [for New Zealand] - my God, they are two unbelievable players. They don't get pushed around at scrum time, they don't get messed around at the lineout, they're ball-carriers, their work rate is good, they tackle, they're on their feet, back in the game and doing the right things.
"This Lions forward pack will have to front up - and not just front up in scrummages and mauls and the lineout, they've got to out-energise them and out-work them.
"Something I know from my experience of Warren [Gatland] on the '09 tour, the conditioning staff are the most important people. The physios and the medical team are the most important people on tour. He will be guided by that, he will understand how much rugby the guys have played."
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While the importance of a Lions tour for fans of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland can hardly be underestimated, Vickery knows the southern hemisphere nations also relish the occasion.
"It's such a special thing," he added. "For us it's every four years, but for those countries it's every 12 years. You can be a 100-cap All Black, a World Cup winner and not play the Lions, so it's such a big deal for them.
"The Lions to me brings together that amateur spirit. The tour is very professional - probably the most professional tour there can be - but the basis and the roots and foundation of it are thousands and thousands of people who save up for four years and make sacrifices to go and watch a Lions tour. What a fantastic thing to be involved in.
"We sometimes take it for granted. When the Lions come to town and bring all those supporters, it's amazing."
Phil Vickery was talking at an ‘Ingredients for Success' event for Robert Walters, a specialist professional recruitment firm and official sponsor of The British & Irish Lions. They have recently recruited the Ultimate Lions Fan, view the video @RobertWaltersPR.
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Who, Berry?! His rudeness to Kolisi, our freaking captain, was there for all to see!! Utterly disgraceful.
Erm, I only had one statement - as in 'only one full stop' so not sure where the 'irrelevance' comes in?
Go to commentsLet's be clear: Foster did not back unaquivocally players such as Vaa'i, Tamaiti and Roigard. Yes, he selected them in the squad, but it's a stretch to say he backed them. Those three players have only been backed fully this year (and thrived) under the new regime. There was massive hesitation to give those three guys serious game time in games of consequence.
It's another not-so-subtle dig from the old dynasty at any achievements Razor may be credited for.
Roigard in particular was a mind-baffling omission from the finals of the WC. After being the AB's best player against SA in the pre-WC match, he was not sighted in the big games that followed. Roigard is the type of guy who can win a game with a moment of brilliance, yet the established but uninspiring Christie was preferred to close out a close WC final.
So please, Fozzie, spare us the barely veiled laments about your unfair treatment and unseen achievements. The fact you feel you have to point them out is telling in itself. And it shows that despite saying you've moved on, you and your mate Hansen most definitely haven't.
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