Rugby Union: Cooke to manage the Lions
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.GEOFF COOKE, with a track record in charge of England that reads successive Grand Slams and an appearance in last November's World Cup final, stays ahead of the pack with the announcement yesterday of his appointment as manager of the Lions in New Zealand next summer.
Cooke will be accompanied by Scotland's Ian McGeechan, mastermind behind the Lions triumph in Australia in 1989, who will act as assistant manager and coach. In addition, Dick Best, Roger Uttley's successor as England coach for last season's Five Nations' Championship, is named assistant coach for the visit Down Under.
It was Uttley who backed up McGeechan against the Wallabies three years ago, the Lions losing the first Test but winning the last two. This time, the Lions face three Tests against the All Blacks - in Christchurch (12 June), Wellington (26 June) and Auckland (3 July) - and play 13 matches in all on the tour between 22 May and 6 July.
Yesterday, Cooke said: 'It is a great honour to be given the job and I am very pleased to have such an excellent coaching team with me. But this tour represents a formidable challenge and in terms of Lions tours it is the ultimate test.
'Now that South Africa are back in world rugby they must come into that category and of course at the moment Australia are world champions. But in New Zealand you are under pressure all the time. The provincial sides are very strong and I would think that everyone in the game would say it is the toughest country to tour.'
Clear favourites for the posts, Cooke, McGeechan and Best were among six candidates interviewed and they are aiming to get together shortly to begin forward planning. Four independent selectors - yet to be appointed - will decide which players from the home unions will be making the trip.
Meanwhile, Cooke said: 'We will all be watching this season's internationals with even more interest.' He also felt the appointment of Best was 'a reasonable reflection of the position England have reached during the last few years'.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments