Lions 2009 - Bowe: We can bounce back

Eurosport - Mon, 22 Jun 13:46:00 2009

Tommy Bowe insisted the British and Irish Lions have the character and quality to make history in South Africa by rebounding from Saturday's first Test 26-21 defeat to win the series.

Tommy Bowe - 2009 Lions v SA - 0

The 1989 Lions came from 1-0 down to beat Australia but in over a century of touring South Africa they have never managed the feat against the Springboks.

Bowe (pictured) said: "There is a hell of a character within the squad and the bond between the players is something else. It is going to be tough next week but we know they are there for the taking."

The winger continued: "We know we are good enough. On Saturday we didn't, we left a mountain to climb but we still came back and were very close.

"We know we made a lot of mistakes, we gave them too many points and we had a mountain to climb but then again we still showed we could definitely come back and could have won it.

"Yes, we have an even bigger mountain to climb next weekend and the week after but it's still definitely do-able. For everyone now it is just a case of wanting to get back out on the pitch and make amends."

Before the Lions can turn their full attention to the second Test, they face the Emerging Springboks in Cape Town on Tuesday night.

Head coach Ian McGeechan is likely to reveal his side on Monday and it could well feature Ireland prop John Hayes, who arrived in South Africa this week as a late replacement for the injured Euan Murray.

The Lions may also need to press Tim Payne into immediate action at loose-head after he was called up as cover for Andrew Sheridan who is struggling to overcome a back injury.

McGeechan said: "Tim Payne has been called up to provide essential cover for the front row. We simply can't go into this week without sufficient cover at loose-head prop as we play the Emerging Springboks and the Springboks in the space of five days."

PA Sport

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  1. the british lions have no chance against the boks

    From Keith Storm, on Mon 22 Jun 2:40PM

  2. you will be proved wrong,i think the lions are gonna­ cause an upset and bounce back in the next 2­ tests!!!!they are a great side aswell!!!!

    From Gareth, on Mon 22 Jun 12:17PM

  3. I think a 2-1 series loss to the Boks is best we can­ hope for now.

    If so, really will be the one that got­ away... series of errors that gifted the game on Sat to­ the Boks, without a need for them to play that well
    1.­ Selection error: under-powered front-row a rare mistake­ from Geechs
    2. Kicking error: you HAVE to get your­ kicks, and Jones missed two. Those 6pts would have won­ the game
    3. Taking tries: Ugo Moyne had to get 1 of his­ 2 chances

    From taylor_davidj, on Mon 22 Jun 12:10PM

  4. I disagree. its there for the taking if the scrum­ improves.

    From Ads A, on Mon 22 Jun 11:28AM

  5. Sorry! no chance to win two games in a row against the­ world champions, the fact is they are not a great side,­ & even if they nick it next week the south africans­ will lift themselves for the final test and the status­ quo will be returned to rugby, I would love to be­ proved wrong, Ned Kelly

    From jcastledineruiz, on Mon 22 Jun 11:03AM
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