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New Lions documentary now available on RPTV
By Jon Newcombe
Following the British and Irish Lions jersey launch on Wednesday, excitement is starting to mount for next year's tour of Australia, so there is no better time to reflect on the last tour with a fascinating new release on RugbyPass TV.
The ground-breaking documentary, Two Sides, chronicles the events on the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, and is now available to watch for free, along with other great content on the online streaming platform.
Fans may not have been allowed inside the stadiums to see the reigning world champions and the best of the Home Unions go toe-to-toe in person, but viewers will feel like they were almost there given the no-holds-barred footage.
The three-part documentary gives an insiders’ view to a sometimes chaotic series that had its challenges off the pitch, just to make sure it even took place because of the global Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the usual on-field blood, sweat and tears.
With cameras inside both camps, Two Sides delivers double the drama, it's as if you’re living with the Springboks as well as living with the Lions. And, as we all know, there was no shortage of talking points as the hosts came from behind to win the series 2-1.
From the increasingly fractured relationship between Rassie Erasmus and Warren Gatland to Siyi Kolisi accusing referee Nic Berry of disrespect, and much more, everything is covered.
Covid-19 gave the 2021 series a very different backdrop but if anything the camaraderie between the players was even tighter than normal, with restrictions on movement prolonging the time squads spent together. Occasionally, though, this leads to pressure-valve moments, which are all captured on camera by filmmakers who are kings of their craft.
Fittingly for a tour like no other, this documentary stands apart from the rest in telling both sides of the story. So whether you’re a Boks supporter or a member of the Lions’ ‘Sea of Red’, Two Sides has something for everyone.
Watch all episodes of Two Sides for FREE on RugbyPass TV here.
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Latest Comments
But he chose rightly or wrongly to play for Tonga. If he wanted to play for the ABs why didn’t he hold off?
Go to comments“A succession of recent ex-players going straight back into the game as coaches in their early 40’s would prob be enough to kill it stone-dead. Innovation would die a death.”
Would it? I do think one of the major differences between rugby and most other sports - which we’ve been overlooking - is the degree to which players are expected to lead team meetings & analysis sessions and the like. Someone like Owen Farrell has basically been an assistant coach already for ten years - and he’s been so under a variety of different head coaches with different expectations and playing styles.
“The most interesting ppl I have met in the game have all coached well into their sixties and they value the time and opportunity they have had to reflect and therefore innovate in the game. That’s based on their ability to compare and contrast between multiple eras.”
I don’t doubt that that’s true. But having interesting insights doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be the best able to inspire a team, or the best at managing the backroom staff.
“Wayne Smith winning the WWC in his mid sixties three years ago prob means nothing to you but it meant a lot to him. It took him back to the roots of is own coaching journey.”
I don’t doubt that! But I don’t think coaches should be hired on the basis that it means a lot to them.
“The likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Wayne Bennett and Andy Reid all have a tale to tell. You should open your ears and listen to it!”
I agree! Never have I ever suggested otherwise!
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