Saturday, June 29, 2013

British and Irish Lions fans in Melbourne - Sydney Morning Herald


Melbourne's CBD has turned red and white as British and Irish Lions supporters flood the city for Saturday night's match against the Wallabies.


Most are content to wear the regulation team shirt. But others have gone the extra mile, adorned in kilts, flags, three-piece Union Jack suits, red-and-white bodysuits, scarves – even lion heads.


At Federation Square and the surrounding pubs and bars the British and Irish almost outnumber the locals. Drinking holes closer to Etihad Stadium are also starting to fill up.


Some fans have just arrived in Australia, content to watch the Melbourne and Sydney games of the three-Test series. More hardcore fans, like Tom Cummings, were here for last Saturday's first Test in Brisbane.


"We'll win by 30 points," said Mr Cummings, 19, of Yorkshire. "(Star player) Tommy Bowe should do quite well. He's got a bit of gas.


"Melbourne is really good. Quite cold though – a bit like being back home."


Mr Cummings said that, overall, League was more popular than Union in the UK although there were regional differences.


"The Union down south is probably bigger than up north," he said. "League is big in the north but down in the south it's probably not as big."


Union fans were fanatics, he said. "It's really big," he said. "Everyone enjoys it, everyone talks to each other about rugby when you go to the pub. It's a good atmosphere, a really good vibe."


Sam Flint, 26, of Hampshire, dressed up with his friends in Union Jack suits for the occasion. He also predicted a Lions win. "It's going to be tight, but you have to be confident when you're dressed like this," he said.


"We've been along the Great Ocean Road, the Yarra Valley and now we're going to have a look around the city and see what it has to offer."


Like Mr Cummings, the weather was a mild surprise to Mr Flint. "It's cold – it's good to be back in the cold," he said.



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