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'I'm just desperate for it to go ahead': Jamie George reflects on one of the best experiences of his life
England hooker Jamie George is desperate for the Lions to face South Africa this summer – whatever form the tour takes.
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The coronavirus pandemic has forced Lions chiefs to consider three contingency plans with the likelihood of facing the world champions in front of full crowds as scheduled appearing bleak.
The alternatives under consideration are to stage it on these shores, hold it behind closed doors in South Africa or postpone until 2022. A new option has seemingly emerged this week, which would see the tour hosted in Australia. The doomsday scenario is cancellation.
George, the likely starting hooker against the Springboks, has implored the Lions board to make the tour happen.
“I’m just desperate for it to go ahead. I think it would be such a shame for it to be cancelled altogether,” George said.
“I’m split on having it here – obviously the preference would be to go to South Africa.
“To tour would be amazing, for the Lions to be able to do that in South Africa in particular.
“It’s such a special rugby country and they would get behind it, but in the current climate I’m not sure that would ever be an option.
“If it did come over here to the UK I’m sure the UK public would make the most of it if Covid allowed.
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“I’ve no real strong preferences, but for me I’m just desperate for it to go ahead. It sounds like it can’t be moved on a year so whatever shape it has to take, I’m sure the players would be very much up for it.”
A third option is now on the table, according to Stephen Jones and Times Sporthttps://t.co/l8jyEwyuDn
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 30, 2021
George excelled on the New Zealand tour four years ago when he made his first Test start after 17 successive replacement appearances for England.
“It was probably one of the best experiences in my life, not just in rugby. The whole Lions experience is so, so special,” the Saracens front row said.
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“The collections you make through being a Lion are like nothing else. It was one of the best moments of my life.
“Rugby-wise it allowed me to grow into the player that I wanted to be and gave me that opportunity and I’ll always be thankful for that.
“It is so, so special and that’s why I am so keen for it to happen in any capacity.”
George’s first opportunity this year to advance his Lions claim will be Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Scotland.
The Scots have not won at Twickenham since 1983 but they almost ended that dire sequence two years ago when they overcame a 31-0 deficit to lead 38-31 before a late George Ford try resulted in a draw.
“It was madness really. There was frustration on our side in the way that we let back to back negatives get the better of us,” George said.
“I see that game as a real turning point for us as a leadership group. We certainly look back at that game, as a whole squad, in terms of how we could have reacted better to the setback and what we could have done differently.”
– Duncan Bech
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments