10

Stand off, fly half, the first of five-eigths
Distributing ball, taking the weight,
Of attacking decisions, to kick or to run
Broadest of shoulders, ball out it is spun!

Take the ball flat, or sit in the pocket,
The tightest defence, oh how to unlock it?
Calling the shots, the well rehearsed moves,
Back inside, to use forwards fine hooves.

Softest of hands, or bullet wide pass,
Eye for a gap, possessing some gas.
High ball, a dink through, make defences think;
Will they kick, pass, or go for a jink.

Miss pass, a short pop, play what's up ahead
Creative, a dog leg, ball it is sped.
Cross kick or clearing, releasing the pressure
Decisions, decisions, confusing the lessor!

First up tackling, drive drift defence
Shouting the calls don't take offence
An out an out play maker, a ruthless exploiter,
Speed of decisions, there's no chance to loiter!

I'm precious protect me from big open sides
I'll tackle if needed but seen as fragile
Play maker, creative artwork to be seen
Appreciate it kindly to keep my shirt clean!

Scrum Half

The lynch pin, the link man, between forwards and backs;
Used to be pint sized to spear head attacks.
Now can be 6.3, extra size adding bulk,
If don't get their own way, have been known to sulk.
Tenacious, pugnacious, they never say die;
Impassioned, encouragement they won't let it lie.

Barking their orders sniping at heels,
Guiding the forwards, ensuring the steals.
Control rolling maul, the eyes of the pack,
Midfield Generals, Napoleon's with strategic attack
Gobby shites, chelping, chatting, winding up play,
Adding their snipes, having to have the last say.

Preference for arm chairs, but earning their pay,
If scrum going backwards, get ball quickly away.
Spin pass to fly half, and gas off the mark,
Using the blind side, they probe and they dart;
Or light blue touch paper, and watch it ignite,

Add spark to the game, and try as they might,

Innocent looks, butter wouldn't melt in their mouth;
Yeah right! In Sahara there's never a drought!
Put ball in at scrum time, with no crooked feed,
Run pace of the game at lightning speed,
Pass from the base, first to every ruck,
Dig out the ball if under bodies gets stuck.
Eye for a gap, some are wild and untamed,
Box kicks, the high ball, taking their aim.
Jack Russell's of rugby can be a right pain,
But important, the lynch pin, dictating the game!

Ride of the Lions

It’s been a while
since I pulled on a shirt,
In my day they were baggy
got covered in dirt!

The spirit of rugby,
Ingrained in my heart;
Like mud stain on white shirt’
They're never apart.

Camerarderie, team work,
Committed to fun;
Put in the hard yards,
Together as one.

Pour ex player in Lycra,
Think I'm over fed .
It’s not good at hiding
My middle aged spread.

I thought I'd reached
My fitness peak,
But looking closely
At my aging physique,

Not pretty, though never was,
It's time to put right,
Give back to others ,
Be part of new fight.

Look forward to building,
New friends and team mates,
And losing the best friend
Attached to my waste.

Cajoling, encouraging,
Light hearted hard work.
Big hearts of the Lions
Will drive some berserk!

There'll be hard times,
And good ones be true;
But the Lions teamwork,
Will pull us all through.

When finally finished,
And all said and done,
Remember adventure,
Achievement we won!

The look of the lion,
That glint in the eye.
Remember good causes
And this is just why:
The Ride of the Lions
With a roar and a cry!

The Lions Dream

Thank you Lions for upholding dreams,
The hope each week is what we've seen;
Belief as a group, as you bond and gel,
Coming together and all ends well!

Four countries now tied together;
Friendships formed that will last forever,
Dark times felt but you all came through,
All dug deep for your labour's fruit!

Intensity of the on field foe,
Ferocity as you went toe to toe!
Final whistle no malice to detect,
Just show each other utmost respect.

It's been earned from World rugby's greats,
Lions hearts won at any rates!
No sorrows now need to be drowned,
Celebrations only, farewell to clowns!

Future's bright for Lions tours,
Take that of this team you can be sure,
Victory would have ended lovely,
But the real winner was bloody rugby!

It's going to be epic

Ben Hur, Ten Commandments;
This will be epic!
Spartacus, Gladiator,
Blockbusters mesmeric;

Odyssey, mythology;
Adventure homeric!
Paradise Lost,
Eden Park atmospheric.

Wellington conquest,
Everest on horizon.
Rise to the challenge,
All Lions have their eyes on,

The prize of the series;
Let bygones be bygones,
Colossal encounter,
This clash of the Titans!

All for the Lions

It'll need the might of the chariots
The saucepan, and petals of flowers
Daffodil,  the luck of the shamrock
Cometh the man comes the hour!

Every thorn from the thistle
Power from sacred Scone stone
The leek as well as those cockles
Smile of sweet Molly Malone

Giant steps of the causeway
Size 12 Jerusalem feet
Excalibur's blade be extracted
For an All Black's defeat

The spinning Web spider is trying
Binding it tight in the loose
Never say never or give in
Remember Robert the Bruce

Heave ho and knead bread of Heaven
Carry them homewards again
Thinking of victory our brethren
Prayers of women and men!

Destiny in hands of the Lions
Greatness for them all awaits
Guinness and beer together
Series, be winning team mates!

Third Test Immortality

Momentum has sent them into this Garden of Eden,
Temptation to dream. Can the All Black's be beaten?
Believing is one thing, delivering another,
Immortality beckons for this band of brothers;
In Wellington their Waterloo, tide changing the waves,
Penalties conceded, favour fortuned the brave!
Once in a blue moon, but twice in succession?
Lions accepting this do or die mission.
Invincible aura,  a creak,  showing cracks,
Quelling insatiable all conquering All Blacks,
Can Lions do win justice, triumph in battle
Take second bite at this Eden's apple!
Furnished in jerseys, crests both say so much,
Reach for the glory, series win within touch!