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Last Updated: Sunday, 3 July, 2005, 12:22 GMT 13:22 UK
Lions in NZ tour blog
New Zealand hammered the Lions 48-18 in the second Test to take a decisive 2-0 in the series against the Lions.

Send us your thoughts on how the series has gone.

To contribute, use the form on the right or text 'Lions' plus your message to 81111. Texts are charged at operators' standard tariffs. The service is not available from NZ.

If you want to talk about the tour generally or specific Lions issues with fellow fans, please visit our dedicated message boards.

LATEST UPDATES FROM FANS, REPORTERS, PUNDITS & PLAYERS

2106 BST: Joyboy, Auckland, NZ
Pity the Lions supporters who have to go into work in New Zealand this morning...like me.

1321: JTH, Baghdad, Iraq
I watched this fabulous spectacle of rugby at a British Army base in Iraq. The atmosphere was great and the room was full of Brits, Aussies, Fijians, Americans and even a Dutchman. All were entranced by superb rugby played by a side that simply destroyed the Lions. The passing out of the tackle was just something else. Well done the ABs and thanks for entertaining all of us rugby fans here in Iraq.

1301 BST: Gavin, Christchurch
It is interesting that SCW comes here and if he were pleasant, the tour would have been viewed in a completely different way. As it is, he has left people here thinking he is an arrogant whinger. The Lions are a very good team. They have only lost because they are playing one of the best All Black teams of all time. I personally have never seen someone better in the No 10 jersey for New Zealand. Accept with good grace the fact that you have lost. We love the players and we love the supporters, just wish SCW would learn some modesty and good graces.

1213 BST: Colin Tozer, France
Would all Kiwis please stop calling the Lions supporters 'Poms'. As we all should know, POM is an Aussie expression that they conjured up in order to express their petty jealousy of a governing 'Mother' nation far greater than their own. When I lived in Australia, the Aussies called Kiwis "South Pacific Poms". Having recently visited NZ, I can assure you that you are more Pommy than us Poms have been for many years!!!

1130 BST: Val, Palmerston North, NZ
People shouldn't whinge about the Lions tour - and certainly they shouldn't say it has been a failure. I and so many other Kiwis think it has been brilliant, and much of that has been because of the huge number of Lions supporters - and they are the ones that we, the NZ people, have got to know and like.

Overall this tour must surely be as memorable as the infamous 1981 Springbok Tour of NZ - but for the opposite reasons. When uni students inevitably write their theses on the social impact of the 2005 Lions Tour, the actual games are not going to be main feature of the study.

Last night's game at the Caketin is the first rugby game I've ever properly watched - and I was riveted to my TV. Last Tuesday's Lions invasion of PN was the most amazing thing to participate in (even if we lost that game - as we always knew we must). Tonight's night out for dinner with family at a city pub where we found ourselves accompanied by a dozen or so assorted Lions supporters (who evidently like PN??) was also delightful.

So please don't criticise this tour. It has been a truly amazing experience. If you haven't been in NZ enjoying it, then sadly you must simply take my word for this. TTFN

1103 BST: Graham, Wellington, NZ
Such an enjoyable weekend here. The army was just great to have in town - everyone was in top form. Thanks for coming.

1101 BST: Russell, Wellington, NZ
We are doomed. Once again we looked like a million bucks two years out from a world cup, giving our enemies two years to catch up and work out our game. The defeat in Paris was sown in Wellington.

1034 BST: Russell, Wellington, NZ
A great weekend of footie - the Lions fans were fantastic in and around Wellington. They must feel betrayed by Woodward, who must be solely accountable for the shambles on the field last night. For a squad with so much talent and experience that sort of performance is unacceptable. For Woodward to call their performance great is an insult. If it had been the ABs that played that poorly I'm not sure if Henry would say it was a great performance! This guy Campbell was a huge mistake and Henry was right in questioning the choice to bring him when he knows nothing about our great game and the spirit that the game is played in. For him to organise an attack on the AB captain in his home town was suicidal and unacceptable.

1012 BST: Nick, Wellington NZ
Really great to meet the Lions supporters over here. Great game last night. Forget about the loss its just a game and the best team won on the day. Enjoy the rest of your visit and hope you do better next week.

0945 BST: Kerry, Auckland
To the Lions supporters, welcome to Auckland. Let's make the last week of the tour a real week to remember. You have set the benchmark in team support. Thanks for coming.

0806 BST: Mike, Canterbury, New Zealand
Congrats to the Lions supporters, you have been a credit and a pleasure to host. You are watching a great AB team, and having to put up with some lame excuses (and you rightly say this too). It was great to see the Jade stadium decked out in Red & Black... as a One-Eyed Cantab it makes me proud. Have a safe journey home... see you back here for the RWC in 2011?

0742 BST: Brian, Auckland
Lucky enough to see the game in Wellington and now heading back home to Auckland. Best rugby I have ever seen. Good play and terrific supporters on both sides. Met lots of British and Irish supporters and they are a credit to the Lions. See them next time.

0734 BST: Rob, NZ
You may have lost the series...but NZ will remember the friendliness and no hassles of the Pommy supporters. Wherever these guys have gone, they have left a pleasant aftermath behind - NZ has benefited from having this massive Pommy invasion - hope you all enjoyed your stay in this great country.

0721 BST: Pete, London
Would all NZ supporters kindly stop calling the tourists 'Poms'. This term only refers to the English... there are three other nations in the Lions camp too.

0653 BST: Neal, Wellington
What a great game to be at. Almost felt like an 'away' game with the amount of BIL fans present. The 'Lions, Lions...' chanting was deafening early on. An awesome performance by the ABs - especially Dan Carter. His opposite number got one of the largest cheers by the Welsh fans when he left the field injured. Good to see the BIL actually putting some heart into this performance and making a game of it early on. A HUGE party in the city after the match - with us Kiwis making all the noise! Many BIL fans seen passed-out drunk after drowning their sorrows! Get ready Auckland - may the circus continue!

0623 BST: Michael, Australia
As an impartial Australian and qualified referee, I'm dismayed by the criticisms of the officials and the All Blacks' play. I've just spent three hours reviewing the game and counting off the ball incidents - and surprise, surprise, the BIL committed more. Let's be honest - the All Blacks are a far superior team, but neither team would qualify as angels!!

0539 BST: russboys, Sydney, Australia
Clive Woodward would have to be one the most arrogant coaches in world sport today. Once again he fronted the media making excuses and playing down the AB's win - even suggesting that the scoreline flattered the AB's. I'm an Aussie who loves to see the AB's get beaten but the fact is the AB's were a class above the Lions last night. The Lions were lucky not to have more tries scored against them. From the time this Lions touched down in NZ they have been all hype. Later in the same interview he even suggested that a few refereeing decisions may have also put them out of business - give us a break Clive.

0456 BST: JD, Wellington
Thank you to the Lions supporters. A group came to my grandson's school rugby game on Saturday morning before the Test, lovely folks. Met them later in the evening after the Test, once again they were polite and charming, although somewhat disappointed. In their words the Lions were NOT GOOD ENOUGH... sums up the whole Test squad really. Bring on the Welsh!!

0212 BST: Bill, South Canterbury, NZ
You aint seen nothing yet. This AB side are going to hone their skills against some real competition in the Tri-Nations before coming over to the UK to cement their superiority in a Grand Slam.

0124 BST: Chris, Amersham
Have to say I thought that the Lions would perish with the arrival of professionalism, but then came the South African tour and I thought maybe I was wrong. Now it is the end; how much better would it have been to have seen, say, Wales, with continuity from winning the Six Nations, taking on the ABs?

The Lions were certainly inferior to Wales, Ireland or England, largely because the standards of preparation that now exist in international rugby cannot any longer be challenged by an invitation side. Bin the Lions.

0109 BST: Helen, Nelson, NZ
As a Kiwi-Anglo thank you to all the Lions supporters for coming - the atmosphere was great compared to that in the following the Aust-French game. The ABs were superb, the referee and linesmen neutral - from Aust and S Africa - so stop whingeing and give credit where it is due. And maybe Merts will be back for the third Test.

0013 BST: MickeyNZ, Matarangi Beach, NZ Sorry Sir Clive but there are five Tests on this tour, you have Auckland on Tuesday night and I suggest you field a Test-strength team.





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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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