Time honoured ‘on tour’ scene with a difference

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful

What’s happening here?

It’s the morning, or possibly early afternoon all things considered, of July 10, 1977 and roomies JJ Williams and Steve Fenwick are easing into the day after a memorable 13-9 win over the All Blacks at Lancaster Park the previous day. Room service has been devoured, the papers lay scattered and you can sense the hangover and weariness beginning to bite a little despite the joy of victory.

What’s the story behind this picture?

After two triumphant tours of New Zealand (1971) and South Africa (1974) the Lions were on a roll and in their pomp. For the 1977 tour of New Zealand they might have been without the unavailable JPR Williams, Gareth Edwards and Gerald Davies, but their pack was generally considered to be the strongest the Lions had ever assembled and was expected to dominate proceedings.

And in fact that’s, by and large, exactly what they did and by the last Test had reduced the All Blacks to taking hurried three-man scrums, but during a winter of biblically wet weather and clawing muddy pitches, the Lions had failed to make that advantage count. Mentally the Lions, with skipper Phil Bennett at fly-half, perhaps did not make the switch to the ten-man, or even nine-man, game that would have suited them best.

What happened next?

After the disappointment and frustration of losing the first Test 16-12, the Lions fought their way back into the series at Lancaster Gate with exactly the kind of gutsy pragmatic display that should really have been their template through the tour. The pitch was horribly wet and muddy as usual but the Lions started strongly with a fine try by JJ and three penalties from Bennett.

After that it was a case of hanging on for grim death as the All Blacks fought back but with MOM Fenwick leading the defensive effort the Lions prevailed. It is no coincidence that snapper Adrian Murrell has descended on their bedroom – for the British media this game was all about the flying Llanelli wing, who recently passed away, and the tough man from Bridgend in midfield.

Why is this picture iconic?

This is a wonderful time honoured ‘on tour’ scene repeated at so many levels in the game over the centuries, we can all relate to this at various levels.

The joy and satisfaction of a great win, the aching body and bruises, but for once you don’t have to be up early to train or rush for the next plane or be down by the bus for a 10am start. The madness of touring is put to one side for a couple of hours as you read the newspapers, put the radio on quietly and try to pretend you haven’t got a hangover.

“Madness of touring is put to one side for a couple of hours as you pretend you haven’t got a hangover”

Of course what’s slightly different here is that JJ, sitting up, and Steve Fenwick, still flat out, are reading about themselves in the newspapers. Both played key roles in the win.

You can feel the fatigue – they are 16 matches into the tour and have been away from home for over two months already – but also the sense of relaxation and calm. For a brief passage in the time the world has stopped.

The hotel room is pretty spartan and drab – boring wallpaper, the obligatory non-descript print hanging at an angle, ancient radiogram – and it reminds you that until recently the accommodation offered on Lions tours to New Zealand was basic to say the least.

That came under criticism on this tour which coincided with just about the wettest winter in New Zealand history and the squad were forced to spend endless hours inside trying to amuse themselves.

An unpacked suitcase – number 29 which I am guessing is Williams as he comes so late alphabetically in the squad – lies unopened between the two beds. Living out of a suitcase had become a touring cliche although after a career spent on the road reporting I would strongly advise against it.

No matter how short your stopover you should unpack the case, hang your few clothes up in the cupboard and arrange your things in the bathroom. It only takes ten minutes but offers up just a nod to civility and normality.

One other observation. Two Welshmen rooming together. Now Wales very much dominated the tour party and to an extent a few double-ups were unavoidable. However, when the inquest came into a Test series which one of the strongest ever Lions squads should have won, that alleged clannishness was seized upon by the critics and became part of the myth of the Welsh not being great tourists.

Footnote: No rest for the wicked. Just three days after this picture JJ and Fenwick were two of the five Lions from the second Test asked to start against New Zealand Maori in front of 52,000 at Eden Park Auckland. Ahead of them lies a flight to Auckland, more training, perhaps a round of golf on a sodden Auckland course and then what in effect was the fifth Test match. Player burn-out didn’t exist then – it hadn’t been invented – but the schedule made those concerned appreciate moments like this all the more.