Rotorua revisited
The Lions have been to Rotorua before with its geysers, steam and sulphur, Maori customs, a mixture of mud and mystique.
The 1930 Lions did not play at Rotorua and the only Bay of Plenty players to get a game against them did so in a combined team - Poverty Bay-East Coast-Bay of Plenty whom the Lions beat 25-11 in Gisborne. The 1950 Lions did the same and won 27-3.
The 1959 side was the first to play in Rotorua though again against a combination and on a Wednesday. They played Bay of Plenty-Thames Valley and won 26-24. It was to have been an easy match for the Lions as neither of the combined sides was doing well. And initially it looked as if that was going to happen as Ken Scotland ran some 60 metres to score a try and then Alan Ashcroft scored two tries. Noel Murphy, who had moved to the wing when Jeff Butterfield was injured, scored a try in the corner and the Lions had racked up four tries. But the combined side came back with a try by GOM Morris and another just before half-time by lock RG Gurran. At half-time the Lions led 21-11.
In the second half the veteran centre Bill Gray was brilliant making tries for T Eruera and Ray Wells. He broke again and Wells scored again and the home side led 26-21. Two minutes before the end Scotland scored under the posts to level the scores. Malcolm Thomas converted to win a thrilling match - to many the best match of the whole tour.
1966 was the year of Bay of Plenty glory. The Lions came to Rotorua and the Steamers drew with them 6-all, and what is more they scored the only try of the match. The Bay of Plenty had never defeated an overseas team but this draw smacked of victory.
The Lions were warned that they were in for a tough time, for the Bay pack was a strong one. Surprisingly the Lions' pack were dominant but it was the Bay's backs who were superior.
All the points were scored in the first half. Centre Bill Potae scored for Bay and Stewart Wilson equalised for the Lions. Eru Beattie scored the Bay's try from a charged down kick which led to an eager attack. Wilson equalised, and that was the scoring done.
The great 1971 Lions won the Test series and beat Bay of Plenty 20-14 but at picturesque Tauranga instead of Rotorua. It was a tough encounter with a strong Bay side, and the home side actually scored three tries to the Lions' two. Only four of the Lions who played in the last Test played in this match.
In 1977 the Lions beat the Bay of Plenty 23-16 in Rotorua, scoring two tries to one. Phil Bennett kicked five penalty goals for the Lions whose tries were scored by Harold Rees and David Burcher.
Mark Taylor scored for the Bay of Plenty for whom John Brake kicked a dropped goal and captain Greg Rowlands kicked three penalty goals.
In 1983 the Lions played the Bay of Plenty and won 34-16, scoring five tries to three.
The Steamers had a good side that year, sharing fourth place in the National Championship when they were coached by Graeme Crossman.
John Carleton scored two tries for the Lions and Trevor Ringland, Ian Stephens and Iain Paxton one each. Dusty Hare kicked four conversions and two penalty goals.
Wing John Cameron scored two tries for the Bay of Plenty and Ron Preston the other. Preston kicked one conversion and Alasdair Sutherland the other.
Jeff Squire captained the Lions, No.8 Graeme Elvin the Lions.
Clive Woodward played in that match.