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Rugby

23rd Jun 2017

Rhys Webb reveals the Lions squad’s off-field habits in New Zealand and they’re so typical

We didn't expect these lads would be the FIFA kings

Niall McIntyre

They love a game of Fifa, they enjoy a game of Table-Tennis, they’re just a bunch of normal lads, really.

Welsh scrum-half Rhys Webb, who has been named in the matchday 23 for the Lions clash with the All Blacks on Saturday in Eden Park has revealed what the Lions players to do to keep themselves occupied during their time Down Under.

The New Zealand public are famed for their obsessive interest in rugby. It really is the be-all and end-all of life for many New Zealanders. This, obviously can lead to a hostile environment being created for the Lions touring test squad as Kevin McGlaughlin mentioned recently in The Hard Yards from 27’10”.

In order to avoid the New Zealand glare the Lions have had to find other ways to keep themselves busy on tour and the 28-year-old scrum-half revealed exactly what they do when they’re not training.

There has been some epic Fifa encounters, according to Webb, with Toby Faletau and Justin Tipuric being the Fifa kings of the squad.

“Toby (Faletau) and Mako (Vunipola) love a game of FIFA, but so does Faz (Owen Farrell) and myself – but the best is probably Toby or Tips (Justin Tipuric). But the two who always seem to be on there are Mako and Toby,” said the Ospreys club man in an interview with the Lions website.

Just like so many young men throughout the world, the excitement and grudge nature of a game of Fifa is so important in the Lions squad.

“You can be on the bus back from training, and before you have even got your bag off it, those two will be in the team room with the first game loaded up and ready to go – there is a race to get to the console and you can guarantee they are always going to be there.

The lads also enjoy a game of Table tennis which keeps the competitive juices flowing when they’re off the rugby pitch.

“You are biting your nails thinking of something to do and we have drunk a lot of coffee so you are looking for something to do. You play a first match (of Table tennis), then a second and then we needed a decider so it did get quite intense. I beat him 2-1 in the end! But a lot of the boys are pretty good, Courtney Lawes, Justin Tipuric and Dan Biggar like a game, Jamie George as well they always seem to be rotating on the table.”

Just a normal group of lads, really.

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