SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The three key areas the Lions will have to be immaculate in to beat Australia… and I've changed my mind about the back-row trio in my starting XV
They can vary from match to match but for the first British & Irish Lions Test they are, in my opinion, scrum, line-outs and restarts. As the countdown to Saturday's Lions opener with Australia begins this week, Andy Farrell needs to remind his players of their importance. If we're honest, the Lions haven't been great in these areas so far Down Under. To beat the Wallabies, they will have to be immaculate.
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Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Lions legend Mike Gibson: ‘I'm missing the first Test to marshal at the Open'
It is a fair bet that most of the fans who have crowded into the grandstand behind the 13th tee box at Royal Portrush during Open practice this week will not have recognised the distinguished, white-haired marshal who has been operating beneath them day after day; diligently directing players, lifting ropes, keeping spectators at bay. But Rory McIlroy did. Playing in a practice round on Monday morning, McIlroy walked right up to the gentleman and greeted him warmly, much to the surprise of onlookers. It was in fact arguable which of the two was the bigger sporting icon. In one of those great quirks of sport which happen from time to time, it turns out that Mike Gibson – the Irish rugby legend – is marshalling at the 13th hole here at Portrush, this week of all weeks. Just as the British and Irish Lions he represented in five tours (a record he holds jointly with fellow Northern Irishman Willie John McBride) are about to get their Test series under way in Brisbane on Saturday. 'I'm not actually going to get to watch the Test match,' he tells Telegraph Sport after getting permission from his 'hole controller' Blake to come and speak with me for 10 minutes on Wednesday afternoon. 'Kick off is at 11am and I'm on duty on Saturday from 9am until 2.30pm!' Gibson is actually relaxed about missing the game. He is not pulling rank or attempting to switch places with anyone on the marshal rota. Although he still loves his rugby, and says his 'stomach still ties up in knots' whenever he watches the players take to the field, at 82 years of age, this is his first time at an Open Championship, and he is absolutely loving it. A lifelong fan of golf, Gibson still plays regularly at Royal Belfast Golf Club, who are providing the volunteer marshals for the 13th hole this week (each hole on the course is the responsibility of a different club to marshal). Gibson is marshalling together with his son, Colin, a former back-row forward for Gloucester Rugby, and he says he is inspired by what he sees. 'We amateurs like to say that we play golf,' he enthuses. 'But we're not. We're kidding ourselves. It's a completely different game these guys play! The skill level is just unbelievable. It's a pleasure to watch them up close.' Rugby fans of a certain vintage would no doubt have said the same about Gibson. A player of incredible skill and versatility, Gibson played for his country in four different positions, although it is undoubtedly as a centre he is best remembered. In total, he racked up 69 caps for Ireland and another 12 for the Lions, forming a famous midfield combination with captain John Dawes on the successful 1971 tour of New Zealand, which remains the Lions' sole series victory over the All Blacks. Willie John McBride considers Gibson the greatest Irish player he ever watched. Gibson becomes misty-eyed as he recalls those glorious days. 'Sadly we're losing a few of the boys now,' he says, referring to Scottish prop Ian McLauchlan, who died last month, as well as his compatriot Tony O'Reilly and Wales legends Barry John and JPR Willams, all of whom have passed away in the last couple of years. But the memories live on. 'Playing with Barry John, oh it was a joy. He had this incredible self-belief. He wasn't risky. He made good decisions. But he had total self-belief. And belief in his team-mates, too. If you called to him to spin you the ball, he would trust you. And Gareth Edwards inside him, of course. On the outside Dave Duckham. And on the other side Gerald Davies. Not bad options! Then JPR would step into the line. He was indestructible. Goodness me.' But it is the golf Gibson is here for this week. And about which he is most keen to speak. The game formed a big part of those tours, he says, recalling a memorable fourball he and team-mates Gareth Edwards and Gordon Brown played with South Africa's three-time Open champion Gary Player on the 1974 'Invincibles' tour of South Africa. 'Gary was Open champion that year [at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club]. He invited us back to his home afterwards. He was so good to us, he really was. I've got a picture of us somewhere, posing with his Claret Jug.' A six-handicapper in his prime, Gibson says he 'just walks around a bit now', mostly enjoying the game vicariously through his children, Colin and Jan (who played hockey for Ireland) who 'both smash the ball past him'. 'Don't believe him,' Colin chips in. 'We played nine holes on Saturday. From 100 yards in he is still absolutely lethal!' 'I have to get to within 100 yards first is the problem,' he laughs back. While Gibson hopes the Lions get off to a winning start on Saturday, he will equally be keeping his fingers crossed that McIlroy can pull off a famous home victory come Sunday. 'I've known him a long time,' he explains. 'It was lovely that he came and said hello the other day. I've been very friendly with Rory since he was a wee boy. I'd know his coach Michael Bannon, too, and his caddie Harry Diamond. Oh yes, it's a small world out here. 'But Rory is special. I remember him on the range even back then. Rory would be driving it absolutely miles. He is a lovely, lovely person. He's done so much for Ireland, for Northern Ireland, for Holywood, for the course he learnt to play at, for his parents… So I'm definitely supporting him this week.' What an atmosphere it would be if he could pull it off. The irony is, Gibson will not be there if he does. As with the Lions Test he is missing on Saturday morning, duty calls. 'I have to drive Colin to the airport,' he explains, before adding with a twinkle: 'But what's this 'if' he does it? When he does it.'
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
The Itoje legacy: Nigerian roots shaped the Lions captain who has inspired a new generation
It is 2017 and Maro Itoje has just been selected as the youngest member of the British & Irish Lions squad. He is asked for his favourite Lions memory and his response is illuminating. 'Ugo Monye scoring his try in the third Test [against South Africa in 2009]. When you're young and growing up, you look at players that look like you. And, by that, I don't mean eyes, ears, nose, I mean who have the same skin colour, who you can identify with. Ugo is one I could identify with, as we're both of Nigerian descent. To see him score that amazing try resonated with me.' On Saturday, when the Lions begin their series against Australia, Itoje will win his 100th Test cap. He is England captain, the first black captain of the Lions and the country's most prominent rugby player. And you cannot help but wonder to what extent he himself has passed the torch. For there can be little doubt that the number of British-Nigerian players making a significant impact in the Premiership is at an all-time high. Gabriel Ibitoye finished the season as joint top try-scorer, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso began it as England's next big thing. Andy Onyeama-Christie, Beno Obano, Nick Isiekwe, Max Ojomoh, Afo Fasogbon and Emeka Ilione all shone across the campaign. The list goes on. Indeed it is five years since Itoje picked his Nigerian British XV on social media, with Monye as director of rugby and his Aunty Funke as team manager. These things are subjective but by most metrics, today's team would be considerably stronger and many of its contingent would have been inspired by Itoje's totemic performance for the Lions against New Zealand in 2017, just as he was by Monye's try. 'There's only a small number of us who have contributed to the Premiership,' says Monye, who recalls being approached by Itoje's father, Efe, to offer his gratitude at paving the way for his son. 'We're punching way above our weight, it's totally disproportionate but of course you feel a greater sense of pride when it is one of your own and someone who has a similar heritage.' Itoje, 30, is passionately proud of his Nigerian heritage. He co-founded the Akoje Gallery to showcase African art and established his charity the Pearl Fund which seeks to tackle poverty among children in Nigeria and other African countries. And after England's 2019 World Cup final defeat by South Africa he quoted a Nigerian proverb: 'When a ram goes backwards, it is not retreating. It moves back to gather more strength.' Within the rugby-playing, British-Nigerian community he is idolised while the president of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah, sees parallels between Itoje and Siya Kolisi, the Springboks captain. 'What does Maro mean to Africa? In many ways, in the same way that Siya Kolisi symbolises something with a similar kind of temperament, that he has now become a global brand,' says Mensah. 'Maro has also risen to being that brand, in Africa he still represents that leader. He's not confused as to his heritage and in many ways he is the typical, educated African son. He is someone that every parent craves for.' Stallions RFC is a sevens-playing London-based team made up predominantly of players with Nigerian heritage. It is a successor to London Nigerian and was founded in 2009, initially as Nigeria Exiles. Suvwe Obano – brother of Beno and cousin of Itoje – and Matt Ilube, son of the former Rugby Football Union chairman Tom, are among those who have turned out in recent years. 'Within those who are in British-Nigerian rugby, Maro is definitely a role model,' says Ade Ojigbo, who joined Stallions in 2022. 'When [Maro] got announced as Lions captain someone on the group chat said: 'Oh, does that mean he won't be available for us next week?' I look at the example of my mum and dad, they're not the biggest rugby fans, I don't know if they'd be able to name him. For those of us within rugby, within sport, it is that idea of you've got someone who is like you, similar to you. To the extent that goes wider? Obviously it will have an impact, the fact that a British-Nigerian is captain of a major sporting international team and now the Lions, it probably will have reach, but I think there is still a job to do.' There is a well-established path from Stallions to the Nigeria XVs and sevens teams to the extent that they sent 11 players for the pre-Olympic qualifiers and the Olympic qualifiers. This year eight players represented Nigeria in the Africa 7s. 'We are very much a pathway for the Nigerian national team but it's actually a bit bigger than that because there's a cultural and community aspect to it as well,' adds Ojigbo 'A lot of boys who are British-Nigerian, they love rugby, they love playing it but they can feel that as if rugby isn't for them or there's no space for them in rugby or they don't feel seen, they still feel on the outside of that. It's creating that space where rugby can be the sport that is open as people try and see and no matter who you are you can find a space where you can flourish in that.' To revert to Itoje's Lions memories, it is telling that the 2005 tour of New Zealand did not register with him. Hardly surprising perhaps, given the disaster it was, but as he has pointed out, he did not start watching rugby until 2007 when he was 13 and a pupil at St George's School in Harpenden at the same time as Owen Farrell, who was three years above him. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion 'It's typically played in grammar schools and in private schools and Nigerian parents want to give their child the best education and actually that means young British-Nigerian children are going to these schools where rugby is played and they're picking up the ball aged 11, having not had a background in rugby,' says Ojigbo. It is significant, then, that Feyi-Waboso and Ilione are both trainee doctors while Itoje tells a story of how one year, for an April fool's joke, he sent his father an email explaining that he would be concentrating on rugby and no longer intended to go to university. Efe did not speak to him for three days. 'I totally can relate to that and I think every lad who has Nigerian heritage and a similar upbringing would have a similar story to that,' adds Monye. 'The number one reason why you see so many British-Nigerians play rugby is because of the education system. Education in Nigeria is number one so if you can find an opportunity to have your son or daughter attend private school you absolutely will. And just as a direct consequence of that, you're likely to then pick up a rugby ball. 'I think we're a genetically gifted nation. I don't think people are being sent to school to become these legendary rugby players, they are sent there to get great educations and actually if you asked most Nigerian mums and dads, it's education first and that's it.' According to the most recent data, the Nigerian population in the UK is 270,000 but significantly bigger when factoring in those born here. But only somewhere between 6-7% of the population in the UK attends private school, so the scope for untapped potential becomes clearer. Monye illustrates the point perfectly when recalling his playing career. 'When Steve Borthwick announces his side he says, this is the best 23 players in England. I always think, is it? We don't know. We have a pathway within the private school system, it is superb. What about the rest? Imagine if we could tap into that. When I played on the world sevens series, I was considered one of the quickest on the scene, one of the quickest in the Premiership, and in the international game. At my state school I wasn't even the fastest in my class. 'Of course, you need more than just pace or natural ability but genetics matter, in contact sport it bloody matters and I believe there are a lot of lads out there who have the core ingredients, who could be moulded into something special. But we would never know.'
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
‘An absolute privilege': Australia's octogenarian basketball team know it's never to late to don the green and gold
Oscar Carlson describes himself, rather self-deprecatingly, as 'just an old bloke that does stuff'. Only doing stuff – in this 84-year-old's case – extends to representing his country on the international sporting stage. Last month, Carlson was a member of the Australian 80-year plus men's team at the World Maxibasketball Championship in Switzerland. The Boomer Boomers, if you will. The championships feature national teams in age categories from 35-plus and upwards; games are played under ordinary basketball rules, with minor modifications for older age categories – including an extended shot clock and smaller courts. Coach Adrian Hurley (top left) addresses the team during a timeout in a game The championship, held in late June and early July across the Swiss host cities of Bellinzona, Lugano and Locarno, are a major undertaking – involving approximately 6,000 athletes, the event is larger than the Winter Olympics. The tournament is organised by the International Maxibasketball Federation, which was founded in the early 1990s; the latest world championship was the 17th edition. The tournament offers a powerful message about the importance of active ageing and the role that sport can play in providing community for older people. The Australians won their opening game in a one-point thriller over Brazil, but then fell to a heavyweight United States. 'We weren't flogged, but we were well beaten by a better side,' Carlson says. 'It was a great experience.' The team huddle. The warmup. Andy Andriejunas with the ball. Frank Tomasi sits on the bench during a game A clash with a second Brazilian team rounded out the group – but their opponent's age advantage was telling. 'They were a bit younger,' Carlson says. 'But they were good games, very competitive. We did OK but weren't up to the standards of those guys.' Carlson comes from a sporting family; his father was a cricketer and his mother was a gymnast. At first, Carlson did not see himself following in the family tradition. 'I was a skinny little kid growing up,' he says. 'Bullied at school, beaten up, until one day …' On that fateful day, aged 12 or so, Carlson found his way down to the surfboat club in Melbourne. It was the start of a lifelong love of sport – a love that has stayed with him seven decades later. The team poses for a group photo in Bellinzona A career in teaching and physical education followed, with a detour into a monastery. 'Swim coach, rugby league coach, etcetera etcetera,' he says. 'The rest is history.' As Carlson passed through the years, more sports followed. He became a basketball coach of one of his schools; later in life he became a marathon runner and an Ironman contestant. 'Sport was my go-to thing – I was active, I wasn't brilliant at it, but I was good enough,' he says. 'It was my way of life.' And now, at 84, representing Australia in international basketball. 'An absolute privilege,' he says. 'Of all things, to represent your country in any sport, for any reason – it's a privilege.' The Australia's men's over‑80 basketball team faces Argentina in front of family and friends in Switzerland The Australian team was coached in Switzerland by Adrian Hurley – who brought serious sporting pedigree to the role. Hurley coached the national team, the Boomers, at two Olympics; he was a torchbearer at the Sydney 2000 Games, and played an important role in establishing the Australian Institute of Sport basketball program in the 1980s that continues to this day. Coaching the 80-plus team required a somewhat different skill set. In a speech to the team ahead of the opening game, Hurley said his first priority at the championship was ensuring all team members returned safe and healthy to Australia. A member of the team takes off his jersey after a game Those were no idle words. While staying active into older age is good for health, playing competitive basketball can come with its own challenges. 'In the Pan-Pacific Games last year, two blokes had heart attacks in consecutive days,' the team captain, Bryan Hennig, says. Fortunately, in one of the cases, a player on the opposition team was a trained paramedic. Some courtside defibrillation followed and the player made a full recovery. 'He was back two days later watching games,' Hennig says with a laugh. Having returned to Australia, Carlson is already on to his next challenge – he wants to win a world title in his age group in kayaking. Sadly for the basketball team, Carlson is not the only player who might not be lacing up again in two years' time for the next championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Players from the Australian team congratulate their Argentina counterparts after a game as the nation's most senior representative At 86, Hennig is already outside the 80-85 age category; he was inducted into the South Australian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021, including for his work promoting masters basketball. Player-manager Gordon Watson will be over 85 by Buenos Aires – putting both into the 85-plus category. In Switzerland, the team were worried that there may not be enough players in that age group to field an Australian team next time around. 'I'm finished,' Hennig says. 'The hardest part is finding 80-year-olds – they're thinning out!'
