Sir Ian McGeechan's emotional speech ahead of third Test in 2009 | British & Irish Lions

Having narrowly losing the first and second Tests in 2009, The Lions were in search of an important win in Ellis Park in the last match of the series against South Africa. Sir Ian McGeechan gave one of his finest team talks ever before that final Test: "They've said there's nothing to play for, it's a dead series. I think we've everything to play for because today will determine what we are. It will say everything about us."
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[@harrycambridge1988]

This man saved the Lions.

[@TomasNolanmossynolanmusic]

What?

[@killdallan69]

WTF are you talking about

[@jprince1993]

I agree off the back of losing the 2001 tour and being absolutely demolished in 2005 by NZ the lions were looking pretty naff. That tour in 2009 and especially epic win (with some amazing tries) in the Third Test restored some pride in the shirt and they haven’t lost a tour since. He lived and breathed the lions and deserves to be described this way.

[@markmckendry2151]

Hard agree

[@harrycambridge1988]

@@killdallan69 I mean that he rebuilt the Lions after the debacle of 2005. There were real concerns of the Lions being no more.

[@robbc430]

Love how Rowntree went to him.

[@cowanlugs5826]

Just shows how passionate McGeechan is for the Lions!

[@jep1912]

Geech taught me rugby at Firtree Middle School in the 80s. I can only state that had I known who the man was, and who he was to become, I might have appreciated what an experience that was a little more. However, this is possibly one of the greatest, most powerful and most intense pre-match speeches I've ever seen or heard and I thank him for dropping a little of that magic into the mind of that 11yr old boy who just wanted to play rugby. I'm indebted forever Geech as are many that thrived under your tutelage. Thank you for allowing me to embrace the beautiful game, I'm eternally respectful and grateful.

[@AGoodEgg_]

A man who leads in adversity. This speaks everything about Sir Ian. The calibre of the man.

[@Waretini3]

Your a beautiful man Sir Ian McGeechan!!!

[@123hero321]

Welsh boy here who played all his senior rugby in England, Geech is the man. And this squad were the men.

[@vdub8481]

Great man... represents everything about rugby ,respect and honour

[@Tianton1]

After Clive Woodwards butchering of the lions ethos. We needed this man to bring that back and he did with all the trimmings and more

[@Chris-zd7gw]

Everything Woodward has done post-2003 has served to illustrate that the England World Cup winning team was a supremely talent group of players who won in spite of him. His selection for that 1st Lions test in 2005 still annoys me to this day.

[@craighjonas8833]

Clive is everything rugby doesn't stand for. Whenever I read his columns or listen to his punditry, I feel like throwing up. They should revoke his knighthood.

[@creasem5988]

That's pure passion... You can't beat that spirit no matter what the result is...

[@dryflyman7121]

I had the honour of playing Rugby with Sir Ian at Moor Grange County Secondary School in Leeds. I shared the same class as him. He was Head Boy and I was Deputy Head Boy. There wasn’t a sport this man couldn’t play - even crown green bowling ! We were coached by the late Ken Dalby who was the Senior Maths teacher. Other great players in our first 15 were David Richauld, Mike Pinner, David Richmond and the late, very great John Atkinson. We swept all before us and many were two years older than us as we only went up to the 5th year whereas most Grammar Schools had sixth forms. Great days, great memories.

[@THEMRblackboy7thst]

This is what passion is all about. I know they lost against South Africa, but they gave us a scare.

[@TheWhiteWallPod]

Praying this one goes ahead!

[@harrycambridge1988]

I was genuinely gutted when we lost that series. To this day, probably biased but I think we should’ve won. However, it was a fantastic series of games and I genuinely hope this one goes ahead!

[@Corinthian44]

A great oration Ian , spoken with passion and genuine feeling , which was rare then , even rarer now !

[@thabisobambo4113]

This is leadership, heart of a man and a lion. Absolutely beautiful to watch and experience. Wonderful upload. #SA

[@bob195532]

I went to the same school West Park as Ian and played against him when he played for Carnegie College when I played for West Park OB. He was always quietly spoken a gentleman lovely person to be around and a great sportsman. Not surprised at his wonderful achievements in the rugby world. Love to you Ian Bob

[@jcurrin1904]

No shouting, yelling or ranting from a man who has given everything there is to give on multiple Lions tours. May his spirit live with the Lions when they return to South Africa.

[@craigmacdonald7764]

You don't need to shout just say it as it is a true leader

[@shaunbainbridge1584]

And that is what “wearing your heart on your sleeve” means. There are very few that reach his level in world sport

[@123hero321]

What. A. Coach. And what a man.

[@andrewlivermore4795]

This man epitomises precisely what sport should be, especially at the highest level. Humility mixed with class, skill, honesty and respect. A legend.

[@johnnyutah999]

What a man he is. Legend

[@craighjonas8833]

Why I love rugby. Huge fan of The Lions and The Springboks. I can't wait for the 2021 series to get underway.

[@scott7008]

Well. Now that is real heart, mind and head. Respect . Massive commitment Geech. 💓👍

[@cliffcarelse7006]

Love this guy, epitomizes the spirit of Rugby

[@hawker1262]

That he does

[@markhooren5530]

This is why Rugby is the ultimate Team sport.

[@kieranomahony6728]

I love that man so much,legend

[@TooDarnSoulful]

Passion - to his very core.

[@aitor47]

2009 Lions Tour in SA was one of the best and most brutal Tours they have had face until that day. What a 3 match series that was. I hope 2021 is as good. And even though I'm Spanish i hope the Lions win. They always are the underdogs and it's great to see them win a series. But I have to admit, I love SA rugby

[@mtnstrand2819]

Thank you. Love and respect from South Africa.

[@hawker1262]

It to me was stage finsesg lions tour. I love the SA tours, the physical confrontation and the laying of a marker as men is undeniable. I still can’t fathom Ronan’s decisions but it’s history now but yet still the lions series I feel most passionately about. I thought Simon Shaw was immense in that series.

[@andyetfc]

What a motivational man manager he was.

[@Bavattack]

I would run through a brick wall for Sir Ian

[@asivenilutumailagi3645]

Wow. That got me. Inspiration indeed.

[@alandalton7652]

A true rugby man with such passion for the game respect

[@Danimal13]

True Lion

[@robbdavies1581]

That's how much it means!!

[@TomasNolanmossynolanmusic]

Pointless

[@lifes-entertainment2484]

what a man!

[@RealTalk-gi7np]

Legend

[@fleshen]

That is emotion!

[@welshman07]

Pretty touching..

[@harrycambridge420]

Brilliant man

[@jackrichards6734]

I listen to this every morning after my 6 egg white omelette and protein shake.

[@donuttime2507]

You should be getting picked today?

[@jackrichards6734]

@@donuttime2507 yes hopefully. Maybe as the 10 or 9. Don’t mind 15 but I’m susceptible to the high ball.

[@aitor47]

one day left for the starting 2021 tour in SA, can't wait! I love the Lions Tours!

[@michaelharrison5564]

if that doesn't get you excited for the lions...

[@markfrance351]

This just goes to show, you don't have to scream and shout to inspire and get a group motivated. That was so softly spoken but if he was speaking to you, you would run through a brick wall for him

[@fmul3465]

Wow 🔥 👏

[@pietvandermerwe8124]

Sir Ian, thank you for what you did for the game of rugby! As much as I would love to see the Lions play against the Boks, I honestly think it will destroy the whole lions ethos if the series takes place in empty stadions or in Australia. I'm afraid if they allow this to happen, future Lions tours will be watered down to 3 tests and none of the weekday games anymore. Please do not destroy this aspect of the Lions! Begging as a South African who love the game of union

[@andrewdurham909]

“Make sure that when people think about the lions, they think good. They’ll think about you, they’ll think about this performance, and they can live with it for 4 years.” They certainly did that.

[@calum2729]

Great man

[@KabzieMusic]

Wow.

[@warriorb6733]

Some man

[@druckaudio9756]

'That takes some doing'

[@craigmcghee4]

This is what the badge means to this man Mr lions will ve no idea where the lions will be if this man didn't say these words and they didn't win the 3rd test

[@garethdesborough7960]

Come on, Lions!!

[@jondyfed4980]

You can have all the money in the world, but you can’t buy a lions test jersey you have to earn it

[@richiedarko]

wow!

[@kisalsiriwardena3776]

🙏🙏🙏

[@donkeysknob5162]

The passion of Ian, (mighty mouse) mc geekan

[@drnickriviera2841]

Andy farrell is the man

[@luizconte838]

kick ahead fellows anybody s head

[@GregClarkeAKADiego]

I will never forgive Ronan O'Gara

[@johnmc3862]

He shouldn't have been let play, he was concussed.

[@daveo289]

I'm sure he's devastated

[@hawker1262]

Let go of the hate. It’s history and he never wanted this outcome. He would’ve wanted to win as much as any. This is sport, leave the hate behind friend.

[@bigshoes5228]

Pigeons land on this man (ledge)

[@kikoexteberria8668]

Rowntree

[@jimmiecooper3230]

If it wasnt for Ronan o Gara , who had a brain fart in the 2nd test , the Lions would have won the series.They totally destroyed the Boks in the 3rd test.

[@nimlinmunro2330]

B

[@Blue-eq8bn]

I thought that was ok till the water works!!!

[@07015678]

Call me insensitive, it I think he's playing up to the cameras with his crying at the end there.

[@petergeddes6652]

07015678 I don't think many people around rugby are capable of acting for a camera

[@peacemaker6662]

You're insensitive... and not a rugby fan :-)

[@craighjonas8833]

It was his final Lions tour as a coach. When you realise that Geech has dedicated his entire life to The Lions, you'll realise those tears were genuine.