It is the biggest rugby event of the year, so you had better bring your A-game.
Thus far the Lions have been a little underwhelming as they trail the Provincial Barbarians 7-3 at half-time, Jonny Sexton kicking the Tourists’ only points as they struggle against a team made up of players who are a step below Super Rugby.
Jet lag, lack of preparation time and the recent finish to the domestic season are all factors, but Warren Gatland will be hoping his team can turn things around in the second half as this is, frankly, the only easy game on this Tour.
While the Lions are struggling to get up to the pace of things, one man who is on it is Angus Gardner – the Australian referee in charge of the opening match in a sodden Whangerei.
Early in the first half, Wales back-row Toby Faletau made an excellent challenge to prevent a certain Barbarians try but, despite the speed of the New Zealand side’s break, Gardner was well up with the play and, to be sure he could determine whether Faletau managed to hold up the ball or not, he executed a textbook knee slide to get himself to ground level.
Amazing stuff from the whistler.
#LionsNZ2017 Got to love a sport where the ref does kick ass knee slides mid game👍 pic.twitter.com/bzN1P74PC3
— chris davis (@krid05) June 3, 2017
