THE Lions cannot roll over in awe of the All Blacks like so many teams have done in the past.
New Zealand are a formidable side who have earned that respect and aura they have created.
But I’m sick of the way people always roll out the red carpet for them.
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I played against the All Blacks seven times for Wales and we were always guilty of doing it — and it drove me mad.
After games we would usually have a big dinner with them and every time, without fail, we would be sitting there and the Kiwis would walk in an hour-and-a-half later.
We were rushing around to get there on time and they would just rock up once it suited them.
It was only once they had done all their stuff within the team, everything that made them the best in the world and kept them there for so long, that they would turn up.
They knew we would be busting a gut to get there and I would be on to our team manager about it all the time.
When you are as good as the All Blacks, you can do what you want.
It’s not arrogance though — and as blokes they are some of the most humble human beings I’ve ever met.
When I played with Dan Carter at Racing 92 in France I was picked to look after him as we both spoke English and would obviously be one of the half-back pairings. Dan, like all Kiwi rugby superstars, was just so down to earth and unpretentious . . . so I used to love winding him up.
We were at a swanky dinner last year — one of those awards dos that, if you’re Dan Carter, is all about Dan Carter.
He got up on stage, did his bit, thanked everyone and sat back down.
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I turned to him and said: “Excellent, Dan — that was brand Carter at its best.”
He looked at me in shock and I just started to laugh because for a second, he thought he had started bigging himself up like me!
That’s exactly the kind of people they are and it will mean everything for their fans and players to have the Lions visit.
They will also waste no time letting the Lions know they are in for a battle, either.
Though with the squad that Warren Gatland has picked they should have no fear — even with key players Billy Vunipola and Ben Youngs both pulling out before the squad left for New Zealand.
If you’re part of that 41-man squad and don’t believe you can beat the All Blacks, you might as well pack your bags and come home.
I always believed I was a world-class player, you have to at the top level if you’re going to cut it with the big boys.
There is no shame in backing yourself.
The Lions have to because the All Blacks will do exactly that and talk about nothing else but another Blackwash just like 12 years ago.
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