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Last Updated: Friday, 10 June, 2005, 16:04 GMT 17:04 UK
Lions in New Zealand Tour Blog
We want to hear from you whether you're travelling to New Zealand, are already there, or are watching the action from Britain, Ireland or anywhere else in the world.

Join our team of fans, pundits and reporters and let us know where you've been and what you've seen.

To contribute, use the form on the right hand side or text 'Lions' plus your message to 81111. Texts are charged at operators' standard tariffs.

If you want to discuss specific Lions issues with fellow fans, please visit our dedicated message boards.

LATEST UPDATES FROM FANS, REPORTERS, PUNDITS & PLAYERS

1646 BST: Gavin, Ireland, BBC Sport blogger
The Lions in New Zealand are special. The Lions against the Maoris is awesome. It's about to get serious! It's time to stand up, be brave, be strong and stick our chests out, and that's just the supporters lucky enough to be here. All the talk is of the Kiwis lifting their game because they are playing the Lions. Well what about the Lions lifting their game because they are Lions? Lets get physical!

1646 BST: Mark Murphy, Chairman of The Dog Brothers, Twickenham
As Chairman & Co-founder of The Dog Brothers� RFC I am proud to announce that we will be making our 3rd Lions tour this summer. Naturally, we will be making full use of the Kiwi hostelries and taking advantage of their legendary hospitality. Over the years we have made many friends and casual acquaintances and we look forward to toasting a 3 - 0 Lions victory with friends old and new!

1644 BST: Marcus, Amsterdam
If in Amsterdam and want to watch the Rugby try either Cocos outback bar in Rembrandtplein or the Hole in the Wall in Leidesplein - both are main squares and easy to find on a tourist map.

Alan, North Wales
It's only 4pm on Friday but already I can feel the adrenalin pumping in anticipation for the Maori match tomorrow morning. Imagine what I'll be like before the first test!!!

In one simple word I will summise the Lions tour: AWESOME!

1558 BST: Ajay, Singapore
Solid performance from the kiwis, I thought, they weren't helped by a poor performance from the fijians. looking forward to tomorrow's match - should be a cracker! GO LIONS!

1524 BST: Craig, Neath
Rob, Scallywags is online. It will give you the address and how to get there. I was there when Wales played Scotland, it is a good pub and will feel like you are back home.

1521 BST: Robin, UK
If you're looking to see the rugby and in North America try looking up setanta sports. I was in Washington DC for the RWC 2003 final and their website gave me a list of bars showing the rugby.

1517 BST: Robert Lawrence, Sunderland
Thought I'd see if I could join the ever growing list: I'm going to be in Amsterdam on the weekend of the second test, any suggestions?

1330 BST: Jonathan, Kiwi in Pakistan
Recently arrived in Islamabad. Any other Kiwis here watching the Blacks kick some #%$^*?

1313 BST: Eddie O'Sullivan, Radio Five Live
All Blacks have released all their Test players for the Maori game which is testament to how seriously they are taking it. They are big, strong and physical but at the same time it is a very skilful unit.

1230 BST: Jeremy, Fulham
There was a Lions promotion in Canary Wharf this morning with 'players' in both Lions and All Black kits facing up to and performing the haka. Certainly gets the excitement going - bring on the first Test.

1150 BST: Craig, London
Robert in Toronto: Look up Scallywags - they should be showing match and always a good atmosphere!

1114 BST: Robert, London
Help required - I am at a wedding in Toronto on the day of the third Test. Please does anybody know where the match might be shown in Toronto on the 9th July?

1111 BST: Mowerj, Newport
I'm going to be in Tampa for the third Test, anyone know of somewhere I could watch the game? Please help.

1052 BST: Undercover Kiwi
A haka doing the rounds has caused a bit of a stir in New Plymouth. The version replaces some Maori words in the Ka Mate haka (the one the All Blacks perform) with 'Barmy Army' and 'Lions are here'. One local warned them of retaliation if they performed the haka, which is taken very seriously here. But the co-leader of the political Maori Party, Pita Sharples is taking a more pragmatic approach: "I don't like it, but that's what they do. The Maori will beat them on Saturday and they'll get their lesson there. They'll see a proper haka on Saturday and they'll see a proper team play them, too," he said. He's right too, about the haka at least. If you thought the All Blacks' haka was fierce, then watch out for the unique New Zealand Maori version - it sends chills down your spine.

1041 BST: Jeremy, NZer in London
Me and a few mates are in Dalaman, Turkey for the second Test. Does anyone out there know where we can watch the game? Any assistance much appreciated!

1035 BST: Nogtaff, Norway
I've convinced my lovely wife-to-be (we get married on Friday, 17th June) that our honeymoon should be spent in beautiful NZ (in winter). Oh, and by the way, the British & Irish Lions are there on tour, but I have got us both tickets for all three Test matches, dear. Job done. More later!

1010 BST: REACTION TO ALL BLACKS 91-0 DEFEAT OF FIJI
UK: Trev, Dorset Glad to see the AB's having a testing runout prior to the tests! Hopefully the Lions will be the better prepared team. Can't wait for Saturday morning, coffee, bacon sandwich, Lions lead by 10 at half time, couple of beers, Lions win by 20, down the pub to celebrate. Then it all starts again on Wednesday.

Inci, Windsor
Fiji were very weak, not much of a test or warm-up for the Blacks, but they did look impressive. Hopefully Lions will beat the Maoris well tomorrow... and get more from the match than the Abs did today.

Simon, Cambridge
No doubt all Kiwi fans will be crowing about their demolition of Fiji. But I'm sure the Lions would rather have tighter games against tougher Provincial sides than playing against a team who didn't turn up. NZ could go into the first test feeling too complacent.

NZ: Dave, Dunedin Superb performance by the All Blacks against the Fijians.. ok the Fijians couldn't tackle but when they had the ball for 5 mins, the All Blacks managed to keep them out and made some v good moves.. all 22 players played well.. it's up to the All Blacks in the Maori team to face the Lions tomorrow night to try and get back into the team.. it's mighty competitive..

Matthew, Switzerland
Brilliant display by the AB's. Sivivatu, MC caw,legend. Sir Clive is complaining again!!! What's new!!

1030 BST: Maurice, Nairobi
To Louise (0617BST) and Boneidle (1002BST). I watched Wasps v Munster (HC) in Patrick Kavanaghs on 3rd Avenue and 33rd street. Had to pay $20 just to get in and we could not have a pint until half time! Great game and more tomorrow against the Mad Maoris. Come on BO'D's Lions! Will be cheering from Africa.

1002 BST: Il Leone, Brighton by email
Am devastated to be at a wedding in Orveto, Italy, for the second Test. Any Italians out there know how we can get to see the game?

BoneIdle, Ireland
To Louise (0617 BST) - an Irish station called Setanta Sport is showing the games live in the US, now all you need is to find an Irish bar open at that time. www.setanta.com should have the venues.

0944 BST: Greg, Melbourne, Australia (Kiwi!)
Pumped up here for the curtain-raiser weekend. NZ must beat Fiji by 65 points to have respectability from that game, whereas any win against the Maoris will be a success for the Lions in their first big game. Praying for Dougie to find form (tonight) against Fiji and the locks to fire.

0932 BST: Deadly, South Wales via email
24 of us dressed as cows for the tests! First one we watch whilst in Sydney, then over to NZ for the others! Look out for the cows!

0832 BST: Ben E, England
Is history repeating itself? Four years ago Dallaglio didn't even start a match on tour and Simon Taylor was out in the first game. This year, Taylor hasn't started and Dallaglio was out in the first game... Who's next??

0632 BST: Undercover Kiwi
The joy of text. When Sitiveni Sivivatu got the call-up for the All Blacks squad to face Fiji, the man he may replace in the All Blacks, cousin Joe Rokocoko, was quick to text his congratulations. But the 23-year-old Sivivatu faces a stiff challenge against his former countrymen on Friday who may have an axe to grind against the Fiji-born flyer. But before you in the northern hemisphere get on your high horses and question how he can play for New Zealand, here's the answer. A scholarship took him to Wesley College south of Auckland and he became eligible in December 2004 to play for New Zealand after being resident for three years (his two years and high school did not count). And now he's carving up defences - not bad for a former football player who alternated between goalkeeper and striker. Just imagine if he and Rokocoko played in the same team.

0617: BST: Louise , New York
I love following the Lions but I just wish that it was possible to watch each match live in the US. When will they realise they are not the only country in the world? Want to wish all those down under the best time supporting the team. Wish I could be there.

0613 BST: Michael, Japan
I'm in the southern islands of Japan and they don't have the games on tv. Five Live is broadcasting the midweek games so I have to listen on a heavily biased Kiwi station that has to pause every five seconds for the internet stream to catch up. And yet somehow it still outshines any other sport out there. Although to be fair I only get sumo and baseball.

0602 BST: Bill Fanagan, Vancouver Canada
I want to see the series at 1-1 going into game three. Can you imagine the tension and drama for both sets of Fans. My wife and I travelled in NZ a few years ago and learned that the NZers are great sports fans and participants. If the lions win the series then the price will be high. NZers will devote themselves even more and win the next world cup!!





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SEE ALSO
Pick your Lions XV
24 May 05 |  Lions in NZ
Lions tour venue guides
18 May 05 |  Lions in NZ
Early history of the Lions
18 May 05 |  Lions in NZ
Fixture list for Lions tour to NZ
08 Apr 05 |  Lions in NZ
Lions player profiles
25 May 05 |  Lions in NZ
All Blacks player profiles
25 May 05 |  Lions in NZ


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