History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

McGEECHAN NAMED AS NEW LIONS COACH

The British and Irish Lions have appointed the "Sir Alex Ferguson of rugby" to lead next year's tour of South Africa.

London Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan, who takes charge of his fourth Lions tour, has been compared to the Manchester United manager by Lions chairman Andy Irvine because of his success in rugby.

And the Scot, who was also the Lions' head coach in 1989, 1993 and 1997 and was assistant coach in 2005, says he is thrilled to be back in the hot seat.

"The perennial bad penny just keeps turning up, doesn't he?" the 61-year-old joked. "I'm delighted - it is an honour and a privilege to be given this fantastic opportunity again.

"Having had a scent of it three years ago [as assistant] I realised how important it is to me. In 2005, a lot of Lions players were coming off their peak, but this time they are coming up to their peak.

"The Lions are special, they are unique - you can't compare them to anything else you ever do. Ten games in seven or eight weeks is a unique challenge. If I hadn't been coaching full time at Wasps I would not have considered it.

"The fact that South Africa are World Champions makes it a very special tour. It will be three World Cup finals, and I am looking forward to that challenge."

Irvine, a full-back who won 51 caps for Scotland in his playing days, thinks that McGeechan is the only man for the Lions coaching job, and will improve on the 2005 tour to New Zealand, when the Lions lost all three Tests under Sir Clive Woodward.

Irvine, a Lion in 1974, 1977 and 1980, said: "From day one Ian was very much in our thoughts. We wanted someone who could share the ethos and spirit of the Lions, and he fits the bill.

"If you look at Geech's record, it speaks for itself, and he is still actively coaching. The big question was 'did he still want it?'; 'was the hunger still there?'; 'was the desire still there?'. I'm pleased to say that he is possibly as fired up as he has ever been.

"There are similarities between Geech and Sir Alex Ferguson. Not just because they are both Scottish, but because their desire and hunger are insatiable. Ian is a fantastic, innovative thinker and one of the best coaches of all time.

"If you had a straw poll of all the players that would come into Lions contention and asked them who their dream coach would be I think Ian would get the majority of the vote - and that is very attractive.

"He's a very young 61-years old - he is as fit as a flea. He loves the Lions to bits and he can see the potential.

"He is already extremely excited about some of the young talent coming through and he is as enthusiastic now as I have ever seen him."

McGeechan also toured twice with the Lions as a player, in 1974 and 1977. Tour manager Gerald Davies added: "The statistics tell you all you need to know - I'm not sure his achievements can be matched again.

"When Ian first took over that role as Lions coach, I'm not sure he would have thought that 20 years down the line he would still be doing it and still be the best at his game. It is Ian McGeechan who sets the benchmark - you can't better him."

Labels: Ian McGeechan, Lions, rugby union

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:00 pm | Permalink | Comments

SMITH’S CHALLANGE CONTINUES

While rugby leaguers allow the realisation of Great Britain’s three-match whitewash over New Zealand - their first series win for 14 years - to sink in, Tony Smith’s work remains unfinished.

In a month Smith has taken Leeds Rhinos to Grand Final victory and orchestrated successive wins in his first four matches in full-time charge of Great Britain. With the Australian at the helm, England, following the disbandment of the Lions, have much to look forward to ahead of next October’s World Cup back in his homeland.

Through bold selection and professionalism Smith, 40, has successfully fused together youth with experience in his side. The choice of 18-year-old Sam Burgess - the youngest ever GB prop, and youngest debutant since Andy Farrell in 1993 - was testament to his innovation, but vindicated ultimately.

For Burgess, one of a number of young players blooded by Smith, his try-scoring debut in the opening 20-14 series victory was “the highlight of my career, and great in terms of experience.” Last weekend he helped the Lions seal the series with the 44-0 defeat of New Zealand, and already the improvement in the side was obvious.

“Having had a second week training together we coped better,” said the Bradford youngster, “but I’m sure we can even better that.” Ales were not swilled and the Champagne remained on ice. “There wasn’t much celebrating,” Burgess continued. “We were congratulated on clinching the series but we wanted to win the third Test.

“We’ve got a new coach, new staff and new players. But you’ve got to go out there and win, and we did that as a team. We’ve got a great camaraderie, a great team spirit, and Tony has brought a lot of self-discipline.”

In Saturday's final Test Smith switched a winning team so more players gained vital international experience. In preparation for next year the coach used 23 players in this series.

“I think we put out an equally strong squad,” Smith suggested. “What I’ve done is created a situation where we’ve got more depth. If I’d have had injuries, that could have been the team going into a final game of a deciding match of a series.

“I might have been forced to change the team around, so I’d rather find out how they cope now rather than in the World Cup stages.”

Smith’s foresight and objectivism is clear, however he still views the squad he will take to the World Cup as a work in progress.

He continued: “I’m privileged to be working with such a good group of players and there’s a few that haven’t made this squad that would do as well. There is more depth within the country to choose from - that’s helpful for the future.”

During the series Smith moved the squad from accommodation in Leeds, to Worsley and finally to Manchester, in order to simulate the journey they will have to contend with in Australia next year.

“We purposely moved the guys so they didn’t have a home base,” he said. “They have got to adapt to moving from different hotels and situations, and occupy themselves in a camp scenario at the World Cup. That’s been part of the test, and they have passed with flying colours.”

Though Smith will not see his full squad again until midway through next season’s Super League when England take on France, he plans to regularly visit his charges. The players will now break for six weeks before their pre-seasons start, but their international manager is not so lucky.

“I begin my role as RFL director now, and I will keep things ticking over,” he added. “So far it’s been a tremendous privilege but it’s been easy to get through it because I’m enjoying work and all the people that I work with. I can see the finish line and I’m looking forward to it.”

Labels: Australia, Great Britain, Lions, Rugby league, Rugby League World Cup, Sam Burgess, Tony Smith

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 3:33 pm | Permalink | Comments

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FARRELL - GREAT BRITAIN'S NEXT STAR

Sam Burgess will make history on Saturday by becoming the youngest Test player to represent Great Britain since Andy Farrell in 1993.

That 18-year-old Burgess, who broke into the Bradford Bulls side 15 months ago, playing prop, is even in Tony Smith's squad is beyond his wildest dreams.

"It feels great, though quite surreal," says a beaming Burgess. "It was only a couple of years ago I used to watch Great Britain as a supporter.

"Everything is happening so quickly at the moment - much quicker than I expected."

The youngster impressed Smith last weekend, representing Northern Union against the New Zealand All Golds. His combative play and assist for Union's first try earned him the man-of-the-match award in the exhibition game.

It was the latest on a growing list of accolades for Burgess, though. With rugby league in his blood, he has been earmarked for great things for some time.

Father Mark played in the lower divisions, siblings Luke (20), and twins George and Thomas (15) are all on the books of Leeds Rhinos. Even his mother was a GB international.

"My family are over the moon for me," Burgess exclaims. "They are happy that everything is going the right way for me and just hope that I can keep on doing it."

Having captained England schoolboys at U15 and U16 level, the 6ft 3in forward was recently named Super League's most valuable youngster.

He takes it all with a gentle modesty: "I went to the presentation ceremony and found out I was up for it," he says.

"I never imagined I would get the award. When they shouted my name out, my heart was pounding so hard. I was in shock.

"I've had a few things like that recently. I've had an amazingly successful year. It's just come faster than I thought. I'm not sure it has sunk in yet. I'm probably still up there in the clouds.

"I set myself a series of career goals at the start of the year. My main goal was to play for Great Britain before I was 22. It will happen this weekend - just four years early."

After playing for well-respected junior teams Dewbury Moor from the age of five to 15, then Hunslet Parkside for a year, the talented sportsman - he plays golf off five, and loves cricket too - moved to local team Bradford Bulls.

The senior players have helped his development - something that he is very grateful for. He continues: "I love Bradford just because of the guys that are surrounding me there.

"Glenn Morrison, Joe Vagana and Andy Lynch have been a massive help for me this year. They have been dragging me down to do extra training sessions, making me do the right thing off the field and teaching me new things in life, making my life a lot easier and more enjoyable. A lot of my success it is down to them."

Burgess has been praised for his defensive strength, and game-changing hits, as well as his athleticism - attributes that have caused fellow professionals to liken him to Adrian Morley or Stuart Fielden, who he steps in for.

He says: "I don't mind the comparisons. It's always nice to get compliments from players and former players, but I don't try and listen to it.

"I don't try to play in any style apart from my own. I try and be different if anything. There is always room for me to learn from training with these guys. I don't really want to go and blow my own trumpet."

For the moment, Burgess is still star-struck in the presence of his childhood heroes, though they constantly remind him of his youth. "It's weird," he admits. "It's fantastic seeing them all play and they are all really sound.

"When I was younger I used to watch and look up to Adrian Morley and Jamie Peacock but because I'm the young one I have to do what they tell me. I'm their little slave."

One suspects Burgess, who turns 19 in December, will not be slave to anyone, not least the New Zealand front row. Expect to see his big hits and fierce athleticism for many years to come.

Labels: Andy Farrell, Great Britain, Lions, Rugby league, Rugby League World Cup, Sam Burgess, Tony Smith

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 3:01 pm | Permalink | Comments

Guardian Unlimited Sports Blog:
A prediction of how the GB Lions will do in the Tri-Nations. Click HERE to view.

Labels: Australia, England, Lions, New Zealand, Rugby league, Tri-nations

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:46 pm | Permalink | Comments