Lions 2009 - McGeechan proud of Lions efforts

Eurosport - Wed, 17 Jun 13:46:00 2009

Ian McGeechan was full of pride for his Lions side after they came through a very tough game against Southern Kings with a 20-8 victory.

Ian McGeechan - 2009 Lions - 0

"The opposition obviously wanted to make a game of it and it was pretty full-on out there," McGeechan said.

"The composure we showed in the second half was very important and I was really proud of the team's discipline and professionalism. We came out of it pretty well and there's no underestimating the strength of will that needed."

Although tighthead prop Euan Murray left the field early in the first half with an ankle injury, the form of the tight five was the biggest plus for the Lions.

"We got some good scrummaging work out of the match and that was important. It was a big effort from the front five," McGeechan said.

The dangerous tackles of the first half also claimed Hook, who left the field after 24 minutes.

"The good news is that Euan has had an X-ray and there is no break or fracture of the ankle, which was our biggest concern. It's just a sprain and we're happy about that," McGeechan added.

"James took a knock to the head and we took him off as a precaution. We will monitor them but we'll have to wait 24 hours for any final word."

Ireland lock Donncha O'Callaghan, who captained the Lions for the match, said his team had shown top-class composure.

"It was a hugely physical game and we had to forget about all the slaps in the face. There were a few silly penalties, but we rose above the stuff that happened," he said.

Reuters / Eurosport

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  1. as much as everyone doesnt like the borderline legal­ and illegal stuff i think this is what the lions should­ employ on sat in the first test ruff them up in the­ contact cheap shots but be mindfull when doing it­ players like neil back and martyn williams done it­ there whole carreer and became greats thats what this­ bunch of lions need ...if they think there going to go­ into the boks back yard and out muscle, out pace, or­ out think the boks then they must be crazy

    From paul s, on Wed 17 Jun 10:49AM
  2. SAme as the last Lions visit to ZA, the club WARM up­ games went about the business of trying to nobble the­ Lions prior to the test matches with cheap shots and­ dangerous tackles. Not sour grapes but based on past­ experience.

    Best of luck for a clean fight and a good­ test match Saturday.

    From Desperate Dan, on Wed 17 Jun 1:31AM
  3. Awesome scrummaging display. Cheap shots by cheating­ Yarpies once again, and even a Welsh ref seems­ incapable of pinging opposition tackles for lying­ offside! Not sure we'll have enough in the Tests,­ but I do know we won't cheat to win.

    From Ian, on Tue 16 Jun 8:26PM
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