New Zealand rugby is enjoying a golden era.
The All Blacks are all but untouchable, their
Super Rugby franchises are dominant and they are welcoming the Lions to their shores for a 10-game Tour.
Their quality is without doubt, but what must worry Warren Gatland's men is just how much this means to the entire rugby community in New Zealand.
The opening game against the Provincial Barbarians is arguably the only "gimme" of a game before the Lions face into three matches against Super Rugby franchises, then the Maoris, then the Chiefs and then the three Tests, with a another midweek match against the awesome Hurricanes for good measure.
It is unrelenting, and on this week's
Hard Yards, New Zealand Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul painted a daunting picture. None of these fixtures will be exhibitions games as the Lions fixtures are viewed as a massive honour by the opposition team, just as much as the tourists.
"They are targeting theLions but to is not like the old days, where Canterbury would kick the crap out of the Lions just to soften them up for the All Blacks. It is not being driven by that mentality, it is a really special thing," Paul told host Andy McGeady.
"I know it is a huge thing to wear a Lions jersey but it is just as big a thing to have your moment coincide here in NZ, and put your jersey on and play against the Lions. that is just as big."
Disturbingly, from a Lions point of view, Paul was told by one of the All Blacks' most important players that they are viewing this as a four-Test series - the three All Blacks games, plus their own Super Rugby franchise's cut off the tourists.
"I was talking to Sam Whitelock the other day and clearly he will be heavily involved in the Test Series against the Lions but what he also wants is to be wearing a Crusaders jersey against the Lions, that will mean as much to him as wearing the All Blacks jersey.
"The Crusaders boys are seeing it as a four test series. they want their game to be up there in terms of intensity... everybody wants to play against the Lions."
Gulp.
Disturbingly, from a Lions point of view, Paul was told by one of the All Blacks' most important players that they are viewing this as a four-Test series - the three All Blacks games, plus their own Super Rugby franchise's cut off the tourists.
