The British Lions - Who supports them and why?

[Bombadier Botty]

Not a rugby fan, and can obviously understand people supporting their home domestic nation, but the Lions I can't get my head round. Do people really care if they win or lose? To me it seems like American sports where the cream of the NBA, NFL and MLB at the end of the season make up teams of the best players and play in meaningless games. What makes it more confusing (for me!) is how people can rabidly follow their home team against the other home nations but are also able to get passionate about this united team..... or are they?

Answers on an odd-shaped ball from all you Lions fans please.

 

[Brian Fantana]

I wouldn't say I am passionate about the Lions but I have been supporting them and watching all the games. I mean it wouldn't really bother me that much if they lost. The Lions is a great test and a great spectacle because the guys are not used to playing in the same team together so I always find it interesting to see if they can adapt in a short space of time into a team that can give the World Champions a run for their money.

 

[Icy Gull]

A love of rugby and the inbuilt rivalry of supporting Northern Hemisphere teams against the cocky ( and generally better) Southern Hemisphere teams. I believe the players see being in the Lions team as being the pinnacle of their careers as it means they are the best player in their position in the UK. Joe Worsely has gone on record as saying that playing for the Lions and beating SA would surpass winning the World Cup with England.

Rugby doesn't seem to bring out the Nationalist tendencies that football seems to hold when considering a GB team, which most football fans are 100% against.

Well that's my take on it anyway and I can't wait for the tests, although I expect us to lose all the games.

 

[Dr Q]

Club person first with National team and Lions coming a distant second/third. Lions tour has become over commercial now and I'll not go out of my way to watch, if I'm not doing anything else I will.

 

[wehatepalace]

I love the Lions, the best from the Four nations, touring the southern Hemisphere every 4 years. What's not to like ?
Its very rare that someone has the opportunity to bring the very best players together and turn them into a great team, it doesn't always work but when it does the Lions can be formidable.
I would love the same to happen in football but alas there is far too much in-fighting for it to happen.
And lets not forget the fans, rugby fans are so different to football fans, yes there is rivalry but never any need for segregation so every four years so its very easy for us to come together and sing from the same song sheet for a month and roar the lions onto victory.
And most of all History, there have been some great Tours over the years (especially in SA) and that just adds to the excitement of the whole thing, I just guess you need to be a rugby fan to understand !

http://www.rugby365.com/tournaments/bilions/history/

 

[Robbie G]

I thoroughly enjoy watching it. You're watching most of the best players in the Northern Hemisphere all together in one game battling against a Southern Hemisphere where the rugby at the moment is much more physical and demanding.

I think part of the attractiveness is that the team has to bond in such a short time. A great video I have is, 'The Lions: Up Close and Personal' which had insights into the team in the 2001 tour of Australia

For me, it's up there with world cups

 

[Twinkle Toes]

I reckon it's tops it when The Lions go on tour. I particularly love the sense of unity it generates: both for the team & the 4 countries supplying the members. Here's hoping they can up-their-game before taking on the 'Bok thugs in the opening test. It's been rather patchy to date ain't it?

 

[Dave the OAP]

A love of rugby and the inbuilt rivalry of supporting Northern Hemisphere teams against the cocky ( and generally better) Southern Hemisphere teams. I believe the players see being in the Lions team as being the pinnacle of their careers as it means they are the best player in their position in the UK. Joe Worsely has gone on record as saying that playing for the Lions and beating SA would surpass winning the World Cup with England.

Rugby doesn't seem to bring out the Nationalist tendencies that football seems to hold when considering a GB team, which most football fans are 100% against.

Well that's my take on it anyway and I can't wait for the tests, although I expect us to lose all the games.

I concur with my right honourable friend's answer given above