WE GO AGAIN
KEVIN McCALLUM: Kiwi media fire first shots as British Lions seek redemption
Things may be different this time around. The Lions are on a charm offensive, but the Kiwi media will not allow them to have a quiet build-up
I do not know if the Champions of Otago Bar and Grill in Dunedin is still open. I think it may have closed. Pictures on Google maps show a sign outside 140 George Street, where it stood, that reads, "Chinese Christian Gifts and Books". They didn’t sell many books at 140 George Street when I was there in 2005, trailing after the Springboks on their Tri-Nations tour as they hit the delights of New Zealand’s South Island. They did run a betting book, though, and I spent an evening there with Ken Rutherford, the former captain of New Zealand and the team that would become the Lions of the Wanderers, drinking beer and watching punters put money on men racing horse-driven carts. Ruds had been born in Otago and had come to town to watch the Springbok match. He called my hotel and we arranged to meet. What time, I asked. "Well, I land at 5pm and have to have dinner with the kids [who lived in Dunedin]," said Ruds, "So, around about 7pm?" After a few beers, Ruds reminded me that I had agreed...
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