The Changing Room

As you sit down in the changing room,, gathering your thoughts;
Staring at the concrete floor, focusing on nought.
This is just another game, but on this biggest stage,
Take your chance to write your name on this historic page.
Prepared for peak performance,
Mentally you bet!
Ready for All Black challenge, crouch mind set!

Your feet are gently tapping, no nerves would be untrue,
But the sound of studs on concrete floor, what does it mean to you?
There's no more nervous chatter, no banter to be found,
Nerves transformed and channelled, to that haunting tapping sound,
Of studded boots on hallowed ground, that echoes all around.
Calm yourself, control your thoughts, you mustn't peak too early.

There's experience in this changing room, deep breaths will now help surely!

You are only as good as this next game,
To the grind stone once again;
But remember your magnificence, of all past games and then:
Your skill and dedication, will certainly bring more.
Bottle all those positives, your greatest still in store:
This is your time get ready, you'll play your best game yet.
British and Irish Lions, crouch bind set!

The drip of perspiration, that collects on furrowed brow,
We know this salt like teardrop, but keep controlled for now.
Your passion, what it means to you, soon we'll see it flow
When the Haka starts, your toughened shell, emotion now on show.

Tight bonding in the changing room, just one last final squeeze,
As you step out of the changing room to Auckland's Winter breeze!

That sound of studs now echoes, as you walk out one by one,
But you know you are together, Lions in union,
The jersey and this honour. The roaring has begun,
Remember we are with you, you live our dreams and hopes:
The whole pride and you lucky ones, you 15 Glorious blokes.
You know you're not alone, Four Nations very best

British and Irish Lions let's take on Everest!