“Hi, I’m Tom.”
Faf de Klerk is ready and raring to get stuck into the British & Irish Lions.
‘The Ultimate Test’ is giving Lions fans a mix of laid-back, behind-the-scenes action within Warren Gatland’s squad, and a slick, glitzy production with some soundbites and lots of slow-mo shots of lads jogging and mullets flouncing.
The YouTube series, which will chart the 2021 tour of Warren Gatland’s band of merry men, has had a couple of highlights over the first few episodes – most notably Liam Williams showing off his hurling skills. However, we were expecting more on Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric and their tour-ending injuries.
All we get in episode three, though, is Wales prop Wynn Jones lamenting the loss of his compatriots and it is on to the next one. We suspect the producers may be saving some of the good, tear-jerking stuff for the DVD.
The best part of the latest episode comes from Sale and England flanker Tom Curry. Having just arrived at Jersey Airport, early last week, Curry shares a tale about Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk – his Sale teammate.
As they wait on Kyle Sinckler to get through his customs check, Curry shares the comments de Klerk left ringing in his ear before they parted ways:
“I had a conversation with Faf before I left. He was asking me to remember that win over Quins. I was like, ‘Why?’
“And he was like, ‘Because that’s the last win you’re going to get!’
“I was thinking, ‘Ooh, quite tasty chat before anything has even happened, isn’t it?’“
On Friday, South Africa play their first game since their World Cup triumph in November 2019. De Klerk will not be involved in the Test against Georgia, but he should come into the fold for the next game, against the same opposition.
Curry is hoping to be involved this Saturday as the tourists play their first game on South African soil against the Emirates Lions in Guateng.
A day after touching down in South Africa, newly-appointed Lions captain Conor Murray said fans would be dearly missed at tour games, but the squad will still itching to crack into the local sides.
“Obviously we’re very aware of what’s going on outside with the lockdown,” he said.
“The protocols and things are in place and we’re here to hopefully put a smile on people’s faces, here and even back home. Since we’ve been here when the bus is stopping in traffic lights, we’ve had people beeping, waving and smiling at us. So there’s a good buzz around us being here.
“We’re obviously very aware of the situation outside the hotel. We literally go from the hotel to the training ground so we’re very much restricted in our movements as well. No ,not at the moment. Again it’s a live document, things can change quickly. We’re here and very lucky to be able to do what we’re doing and very focused on putting on a show for people to get behind and support us.”
Murray versus de Klerk will be one of the most fascinating sub-plots of the upcoming Test Series. Expect Curry to work himself into the script too.
LISTEN TO HOUSE OF RUGBY’S LIONS SERIES: EPISODE 2
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