Will Greenwood: Lions will be strong in 2017 but can learn from the Southern Hemisphere

by Chris Heal Thursday 5 November 2015

Will Greenwood was speaking on behalf of Canterbury, Official Apparel Partner of the British & Irish Lions who have marked the announcement with a commemorative re-issue of the 1959 shirt

©Canterbury

Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood believes that the British and Irish Lions will have an immensely talented squad for their tour of New Zealand in two years’ time but adds that they can take certain characteristics from the southern hemisphere sides to help them become a better team.

The Rugby Championship sides dominated the recent Rugby World Cup with all four making up the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time in the competitions history.

And Greenwood says that the northern hemisphere teams can continue learn from the way the game is played in the South to try and close the gap between now and the 2017 Lions tour.

He said: “During the World Cup, New Zealand played with a lot of pace. They were able to offload well and put the ball into space so a man could hit it.

“I think this Lions tour can tie in with the World Cup 2019 campaign to allow northern hemisphere players to understand that the best form of defence is to attack and to equip themselves to be confident an expressive on a rugby field.

“I must be very careful here, wearing my English hat! Wales did nearly beat Australia and South Africa and Ireland nearly beat New Zealand around 18 months ago, so we can’t tar everyone with the same brush, but the fact the four Southern Hemisphere sides were in the semi-finals shows that they are ahead of us.

“We don’t want to necessarily copy the way they play, but if we can take a little bit of New Zealand and Australia – the two best teams in the world, the power of South Africa and the passion of Argentina and apply those characterises that makes up the best four teams in the world to our own home grown versions of excellence, then that has to be a positive thing.”

New Zealand held off a fightback from Australia last Saturday to go on and win the World Cup to become the first ever team to retain the title.

It was a fitting farewell for the retiring greats of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter to be part of an All Blacks side that has now won two World Cups in four years having lost just three matches in between.

But before New Zealand can think of making it a hat-trick of Webb Ellis Cups, there is the small matter of a Lions tour to consider.

It can be argued that this All Blacks team is the greatest of all time and with just two years until the Lions head down to the home of the world champions Greenwood feels that they have raised the bar once again.

He added: “Its very difficult to argue that New Zealand are the best side ever. My rugby knowledge really starts post 1983 when I really started to focus and watch the game.

“I actually thought the New Zealand team of 2005 was great, the one that beat the Lions 3-0, but this current side have raised the bar again.

“Its always tough to compare to the 1974 Lions team or the great Welsh side of the 70’s or even the French side of the 80s, but at the moment New Zealand side as a shining beacon of excellence in the world of rugby.”

Greenwood was speaking after the announcement that Canterbury will be manufacturing the 2017 jerseys and he knows just how special it is to pull on that famous red shirt.

The 43 year-old represented the Lions back in 2005 – the last time they toured New Zealand – and knows that the pool of players who can make up the 2017 side is a strong one and whoever gets selected will do the Lions proud.

“When I went to New Zealand with the Lions, the second you step off the plane you are hit by a wall of rugby, said Greenwood. “They have an extraordinary wealth of knowledge over there from the lady in the pie shop to the person climbing the scaffolding, they know everything about you as a player and they are so passionate they expect their team to win.

“In terms of the Lions, I think the side going in 2017 can be an extremely strong one. There are some great coaches available which will probably be announced sometime next year, there some great coaching teams out there in the Northern Hemisphere and of course there are some wonderful players to choose from and there are some players who will be up for selection that won the Lions tour in 2013.

“There will be large element of Welsh players I think, because I think it is crucial to take people with experience of winning a Lions tour if they are to win again down south.

“Added to that, you still do get to the pick the best from the best from each country so I have got no doubt that the lads who do run out in these magnificent games in those Canterbury jerseys in the first test will do their friends, family and the British and Irish Lions proud.”

And with Canterbury now taking over from Adidas as the manufacturer, Greenwood feels that it adds makes it that even more special to pull on the Lions shirt.

“Its extremely exciting times," he added. “Canterbury have a history and heritage for being absolutely committed to the game going back to 1888 looking after full international sides including England, Ireland and Japan – who sold a huge amount of shirts during the World Cup and Namibia who are the toughest of the tough and now to renew their association with the Lions is great.

“Back in 1959, Canterbury were the kit manufacturers then and Keith Wood’s father wore the shirt in that 33 tour match tour. Can you believe that?! It’s more like 10-11 games now!

“But as player from a home nation, the pinnacle of your career is to wear a Lions jersey so for Canterbury to renew their association, they are unbelievably proud.”