The British are coming, the British are coming

[Parihaka]

Just to elevate this board to more important things than the funny little happenings away in the remote northern hemisphere, The combined Great Britain and Ireland rugby team, known as the Lions, are about to tour New Zealand. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the team and their supporters to our fair shores and extend this traditional 'greeting'...

Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!

Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!

Tenei te tangata puhuru huru

Nana nei i tiki mai

Whakawhiti te ra

A upa ... ne! ka upa ... ne!

A upane kaupane whiti te ra!

Hi !!!

Kia Ora and welcome to Aotearoa

[Parihaka]

Those of you unfortunate enough to have never been introduced to this king of sports, here's a few pictures of what the Lions will be facing..

[Parihaka]

more...

[Ziska]

I've always thought that US gridiron teams could learn from the Haka. Who needs cheerleaders bouncing around, when you've got the Allblacks/Samoans/Tongans doing a war dance. It sends shivers down my spine, and I'm an aussie. I'd hate to think what it'd do to the opposing team.

It'll be interestin to see how the Lions do with all the Welsh players in the squad. I'm not sure, but I think the northern boys might have this one parihaka....

[Parihaka]

Originally Posted by Ziska

I've always thought that US gridiron teams could learn from the Haka. Who needs cheerleaders bouncing around, when you've got the Allblacks/Samoans/Tongans doing a war dance. It sends shivers down my spine, and I'm an aussie. I'd hate to think what it'd do to the opposing team.

It'll be interestin to see how the Lions do with all the Welsh players in the squad. I'm not sure, but I think the northern boys might have this one parihaka....

Yeh It's gonna be a tough call, as usual we've got it all over them in the backs (remember Graeme Henry coached Wales before he got the Blacks) but with Delaglio(?) coming back I don't know what's going to happen up front.
The haka's a bit overdone at times, seems sometimes you cant sneeze walking down the street without some kapa haka group leaping out and 'wiata'ing all over you, but yeh, the All Black haka does rock. I like the way the sevens team does it, after the game and only if they win.

[Ziska]

I guess living in NZ you'd see it all the time. Over here, we see it once or twice a year, so it looses none effect.

I'll agree, you have a *great* backline. Tana Umaga.... *shudders*.

But so did Wales in the 6 nations, and it doesn't matter how good your backs are, if the breakaways can smother the ball at the breakdown, they'll never get it.

[Parihaka]

Originally Posted by Ziska

I guess living in NZ you'd see it all the time. Over here, we see it once or twice a year, so it looses none effect.

I'll agree, you have a *great* backline. Tana Umaga.... *shudders*.

But so did Wales in the 6 nations, and it doesn't matter how good your backs are, if the breakaways can smother the ball at the breakdown, they'll never get it.

yep, and if there's one thing the Nth Hemisphere knows it's how to smother the ball. One of the most distressing things of late here was that Ali Williams got a six week ban for rucking Ritchie McCaw. McCaw was flat on his back, reached out, grabbed the ball and pulled it in and yet it was Williams who got the penalty If we're not careful it'll turn into a game for old ladies and gridiron players

[Ziska]

I agree. Rucking is a fundamental part of the game. Self refereeing, I rekon.

For all you yanks, rucking is the art of massaging your opponents head/back/body with your studded boot until he gets out of the way in a ruck (the big stacks-on thingys). No-one can be expected to see through bodies, and see if a player is releasing the ball or not, so you stomp on the mongrel until he either rolls away, or the ref rewards you with a penalty...

[Ziska]

Pari, you'll have to shut down gavin henson, and brian o'driscoll as well

[Parihaka]

Originally Posted by Ziska

I agree. Rucking is a fundamental part of the game. Self refereeing, I rekon.

For all you yanks, rucking is the art of massaging your opponents head/back/body with your studded boot until he gets out of the way in a ruck (the big stacks-on thingys). No-one can be expected to see through bodies, and see if a player is releasing the ball or not, so you stomp on the mongrel until he either rolls away, or the ref rewards you with a penalty...

A fine example of rucking

[Ziska]

see guys? This is a *real* man's game.

[Parihaka]

After a shall we say 'rusty' start to the 2005 Lions tour with a 25-25 draw against Argentina at Cardiff Arms Park, the scene is set here in NZ. Over the next 10 days we are preparing for 25,000 'barmy army' supporters to land on our fair shores. Only 10,000 have bought one or more tickets.
In that time they will:
spend upwards of $120m.
Hire 1800 camper vans.
150-180 tour buses.
Have specially arranged drive times (and ferry sailings) to prevent grid lock on our roads, with police escort.
Pay an average of $750 dollars per ticket per game.
Have 2 cruise ships for accomodation.
Have a 12.2m long mobile headquarters with a hot tub, merchandising area and stage.
Drink more Guiness than New Zealands' annual consumption.

Waahay the Brits!

[Martin]

Originally Posted by Ziska

see guys? This is a *real* man's game.

Couldn't agree more! American footballers hide behind helmets and a huge amount of padding. Women!

[Ziska]

I reckon they should give up Gridiron and concentrate on Rugby. Then we'd see who's best. It amazes me that a country with a superiority complex like the USA can let the two biggest team sports in the world pass them by.

[The Chap]

I'm confused. I typed into Google "comming" and "British". This was not the site expected. I shall write a letter to the Daily Sport.