Lions Star On How New Zealand ‘Arrogance’ Inspired Them Against All Blacks

Eye-opening.

Ahead of this summer’s British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand, the Kiwi’s gave Gatland’s men absolute no chance against their beloved All Blacks. A 3-0 series whitewash was inevitable, or so we were told.

The NZ media treated the Lions like a bunch of nobodies, who were simply coming over for a holiday. The fans could barely name a player in the squad. But by the end of the series, they were all left speechless.

England and Northampton lock Courtney Lawes was over in New Zealand with the Lions and says the arrogance was ‘eye-opening.’

“Being in New Zealand, we saw the arrogance that their fans have about their team. It was eye-opening.” Lawes told The Daily Mail
The whole nation are into rugby and things their fans and commentators and pundits said about how we play and how New Zealand play — it was quite… interesting! If we’d listened to all that stuff, we’d have come home after the first weekend.’

While the Lions got off to a shaky start, Lawes says they knew they always had a chance. Every team has their strengths and weaknesses.

“Any team is vulnerable,” he said.
“New Zealand are the best team in the world, they have been for some time and you have to respect them.
“But every team has their strengths and weaknesses and any team can be beaten.
“We showed people that no matter what happens, you’ve got a chance. You can only respect the All Blacks for so long, then you just have to face the challenge.”

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