In July 2013 something incredible happened, the British and Irish Lions completed a fantastic series victory against the Australian hosts. Over three highly contested Test matches, peppered with a number of other tour matches the Lions fought their way to a 2-1 series victory, the first victorious Lions tour since South Africa 1997.
In the First Test on the 22nd June 2013, the Lions battled to a 23-21 points victory in Brisbane. The Lions went into this match full of confidence have won 5 out of 6 of their opening tour games against the Barbarians and Australian sides Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, Western Force and the Combined Country team. The only slip up was a narrow 14-12 defeat to the ACT Brumbies.
Things didn't start as expected for either side during the first meeting. After just 52 seconds of the match Christian Lealiifano had to be replaced after knocking himself out attempting to tackle Welsh Centre Jon "Fox" Davies. This distruption could have caused Australia to lose concentration early on but in fact it was the Aussies who took the early lead with Israel Folau grabbing the opening Try on his debut.
The lions managed to claw back a Try through George North who charged his way to the line beating both Pat McCabe and James O'Connor on the way. The Australians again took the game by the scruff of the neck however when Folau pick up his second try of the game. It was only for Mr Reliable Leigh Halfpenny's kicking that the lions managed to go into half time just a point behind the Australians.
In the second half Australia were decimated further with injuries to both Pat McCabe and Berrick Barnes, forcing the Aussies to field replacement players in unfamiliar positions. Unlike the injury to Christian Lealiifano, this did have an impact. The changes were too much for the hosts and the Lions took advantage with Alex Cuthbert grabbing a Try in his first Lions Test match. The Lions saw out the match to grab the first victory of the Series, it could have however been a very different story with Kurtley Beale missing two vital kicks towards the end of the match, the second miss seeing him slip as he went to strike the ball leading to a number of viral images to be circulated all over the internet within minutes of the incident.
Another tour match took place prior to the Second Test, with the Lions taking on the Melbourne Reds and claiming an impressive 35-0 victory.
This was never going to be a series whitewash. The Australians weren't going down without a fight and in the Second Test the hosts won a close fought match beating the Tourists 16-15. L:eigh Halfpenny continued to impress with his kicking, forging an early lead for the Lions, but it was Australia's Adam Ashley-Cooper who grabbed the only Try of the game to give te Wallabies victory in the Second Test. In a similar fashion to the First Test there was an opportunity for a team to win with a late penalty kick, this time the Lions. Unfortunately the distance was just a little too far for Leigh Halfpenny and his attempt fell just short. This series was going down to the wire.
The Second Test did produce one memorable moment for the Lions fans with Israel Folau attempting to stop George North in his tracks. However, it didn't quite go as planned for Folau with George North carrying Folau on his shoulder fireman style as he continued to power along with the ball, a truly iconic image of the Tour.
So it was down to the final match. At the ANZ Stadium in Sydney, the Lions showed they were truly up for it. However, prior to the match kicking off controversy was already circulating after Coach Warren Gatland decided to drop experienced Irish and Lions stalwart Brian O'Driscoll in favour of Welsh pairing Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies. A bold move, but one which turned out to be a stroke of genius. Under the captaincy of Alun Wyn Jones the Lions earned an impressive 41-16 win securing the Series win.
Tries from Alex Corbisiero, Jonathan Sexton, George North and Jamie Roberts, boosted by the always reliable kicking of Leigh Halfpenny sealed the Thrid Test for the Lions and secured an impressive Series victory.
There can be no denying that the Lions squad was heavily dominated by the Welsh and why wouldn't it be? Following two consecutive Six Nations Championship wins (including one Grand Slam) the Welsh were full of confidence and on the form of their lives. This certainly carried through to the Lions Tour with an impressive 10 Welsh players starting in the Final Test in Sydney.
With such a high percentage of Welsh players in the squad, coupled with the fact that it was a successful Series for the Lions, there was no way the World of Groggs were going to pass on the opportunity to immortalise these guys in the strip of the victors.
Work began almost instantly, with Richard sanding and crafting the original Welsh moulds to make them Lion-esque. Unlike previous British and Irish Lions Groggs, the 2013 set had a lot more detail in them, a large amount of work went into shaping the collars, the sleeves and the badges to make them probably the most intricate and detailed Lions Groggs ever produced by the shop. Produced in limited numbers of 125 to represent 125 years of the British and Irish Lions these pieces were going to fly off of the shelves.
To date 18 of the 2013 Lions Groggs have been produced, with another 2 potentially on the horizon. Below takes a closer look at the players who have been immortalised and a detailed look at their British and Irish Lions Groggs which have proved so popular with collectors.
Leigh Halfpenny
The 2013 Tour of Australia was Leigh's second experience of the British and Irish Lions having been selected for the 2009 Tour of South Africa. However, injury hampered his first Tour with him only featuring in a Tour match against Free State Cheetahs before withdrawing from the squad. The 2013 Tour was different, Leigh started all 3 Tests matches of this winning tour, earning himself Player of the Series as well as breaking the record for points scored in a Series previously held by Welsh Fly Half Neil Jenkins.
Leigh's Grogg was one of the first 2013 Lions which was released and it proved extremely popular, selling out in under 2 days! One of the main drawers of this Grogg was the 'Golden Boot' which was painted on, making it extremely unique and appealling to collectors.
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| Photographs Courtesy of World of Groggs |
Toby 'Taulupe' Faletau
This was Faletau's first taste of Lions rugby. Despite not featuring in the first two Tests, Toby was named as starting number 8 for the Final Test ahead of Ireland's Jamie Heaslip. Despite receiving a nasty cut to the eye, Faletau impressed during the game with his ball carrying and driving helping the Lions to the Series win. Just like reality Toby's Grogged included the cut eye, immortalising the blood poured in the battle for victory.
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| Photographs Courtesy of World of Groggs |
Sam Warburton
Another first timer on Tour, but this didn't stop Coach Warren Gatland naming him Captian, the youngest ever at age 24. Sam featured in both of the opening Test matches before having to leave the field with an injurt during the Second Test, a loss which no doubt influenced the result. Unfortunately for Sam he didn't recover in time for the Final Test, but his contributions in the openers were certainly valuable and no doubt his influence in the squad being a motivator for those on the field. Sam's Lions Grogg was just as imposing as the player himself, complete with iconic white boots.
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| Photographs Courtesy of World of Groggs |
Adam Jones
Tour veteran Adam Jones was taking part in his second Lions Tour after playing in the first two tests of the 2009 Tour of South Africa where he featured in the first ever all Welsh Front Row. Adam started in all three Tests of the 2013 tour, proving a powerful force in the Lions scrum. Adam's Grogg was created from the Action Grogg which sees him in a full flight run, complete with trademark hair and beard.
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| Photographs Courtesy of World of Groggs |
Alex Cuthbert
Alex picked up where he left off in the 2012 Six Nations Championship win. Making himself a valuable and tricky character on the field and grabbing a match winning Try in the opening Test. The Grogg of Alex unlike the Welsh version features his red boots which prove to be a great contrast next to the Green and Blue stripes of the socks.
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| Photographs Courtesy of World of Groggs |
Mike Phillips
Scrum half Mike Phillips scored an impressive two Tries in the opening Tour match of 2013 against the Barbarians. Mike started both the first and last matches of the series, his second ever Lions Tour having featured in 2009 and his second iteration in a Lions Grogg form.
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| Photographs Courtesy of World of Groggs |
Brian O'Driscoll
Brian was featuring in his fourth and final Lions tour of his career. Controversy surrounded this experienced centre after he was dropped for the final Test match of the 2013 tour. However, there is no doubting the ability of this former captain and impressiveness of completing four tours for the Lions, particularly as the last tour was so successful. Brian's Grogg featured a great amount of detail on his boots with combinations of black, red and blue making them visually impactual, he's even smiling!
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| Photographs Courtesy of World of Groggs |
Jonathan 'Fox' Davies
The man tasked with replacing BOD in the final test following the return from injury of Jamie Roberts. Despite being the subject of ridiculous threats from those not best pleased with his selection, Davies stepped up with an impressive performance in the final test and justified his selection. Davies featured in all 3 of the Test matches and earned plaudits for his performances. Jon's Grogg features him holding the ball closely to his as he often does when charging down the field.
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| Photographs Courtesy of World of Groggs |
George North
George North as previously mentioned probably created the most iconic and memorable moment of the Tour when carrying Israel Folau on his shoulder as he charged down the pitch (a Grogg that many collectors would love to see made!!). North had a fantastic Tour and no doubt enhanced his already blossoming reputaion aa a pacey and powerful winger. George's Grogg features his red boots and wrist band complete with red tape.
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| Photographs Courtesy of World of Groggs |
Jamie Roberts
Dr Jamie returned from injury to make a well timed return to the starting line up for the Final Test match of the series, forming a formidable all Welsh partnership with Jon Davies in the centre of the park. Jamie's Grogg was certainly enhanced from the standard Welsh version giving it a far more rugged look, complete with stubble and scar above his eyebrow, certainly more akin to the current look of Dr Roberts.
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| Photographs Courtesy of World of Groggs |
Alun Wyn Jones
AWJ took the bull by the horns, leading the Lions to a famous victory as captain in the absence of injured Sam Warburton. Alun was the first ever substitute captain to win a Lions Tour and this was the second time he had featured for the Lions having taken part in all three Tests of the 2009 tour. Complete with white boots, pointy beard and flowing locks, it could be argued this Grogg iteration is a little generous with the mop on top, no doubt we will see a version in the future complete with his shorter hair style.
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| Photographs Courtesy of World of Groggs |
Dan Lydiate
Dan featured in all three Tests of this victorious tour, again another player who did his reputation no harm. Dan's Grogg comes complete with Scrum Cap in hand and the Lions version even has the added detail of including his ankle strapping, dirtied and scuffed from play. This Grogg certainly captures some of Lydiate's trademark features.
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| Photographs Courtesy of World of Groggs |
Richard Hibbard
It's fair to say during the 2013 Tour the Lions struggled when it cam to the lineouts. As a result Richard appeared in what can be seen as a bit of a cameo role with regular rotations being seen with English Hooker Tom Youngs. There is of course no doubting of this player particularly in the scrum. Richard's Grogg features him in a proud pose complete with ball in hand behind his back.
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| Photographs Courtesy of World of Groggs |
Justin Tipuric
'Tips' is the latest Grogg to be produced in the Lions range. Justin only featured once in the Test matches, coming off of the bench in the Final Test, he did however feature several times in the Tour matches. Tipuric is modelled in his famous blue Scrum Cap with arms firmly on hips.
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| Photographs Courtesy of World of Groggs |
Ian Evans
The next Lions figure in the range produced was Ian "Yanto" Evans. Although not a key player during the tests, Ian was utilised during the Tour matches. Another in the huge lione of Welsh talebt to be Grogged in Lions form.
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| Photograph Courtesy of The World of Groggs |
Tommy Bowe
In a Tour dominate by the Welsh, it makes sense that the majority of the Groggs produced were of the lads from God's Country (Most having already been Grogged in Welsh kits). Tommy however is one of only 3 non Welsh Groggs in the line up. Tommy had a successful Tour featuring in 2 out of 3 of the Test matches helping the Tourists to a hard fought victory.
Shane Williams
Shane Williams was a late draft into the Lions Squad, having come in to cover for some injured players, Shane is also one of the latest players to be Grogged in the 2013 kit. Although Shane didn't feature in any of the tests, no collection is complete without a Shane Williams Grogg. He comes complete with striking blue boots which certainly makes this Grogg stand out.
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| Photograph Courtesy of The World of Groggs |
Paul O'Connell
Paul is the 3rd Irish player to be Grogged in the 2013 Lions strip joining Tommy Bowe and recently retired Brian O'Driscoll. Paul is the latest Grogg released by the shop and has been much anticipated. This Grogg does not disappoint, complete with iconic headband this is a stand out piece for any Lions collection.
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| Photograph Courtesy of The World of Groggs |
This is the current range of 2013 Lions to date. It is hoped the likes of Johnny Sexton and Alex Corbisiero will be joining the list making history as the first time the shop has grogged an entire Lions team, so keep watching this space!
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