Locked Down Spectator

The FIFA Club World Cup was supposed to be a global celebration of football—where the best teams from every continent meet to determine the true kings of the club game. Instead, it has become a dull, bloated formality, offering little more than a glorified pre-season exercise for European giants and a forgettable experience for everyone else. From the outset, the idea held promise. Who wouldn’t want to see the Copa Libertadores champions battle it out with Europe’s finest? Or a surprise package from Asia or Africa stunning the world? But reality has been far less romantic. The European champions have dominated the tournament almost without exception. Since 2007, only once has a non-European team lifted the trophy—Corinthians in 2012. The rest of the time, it’s been an exhibition of European superiority, usually capped off with a half-hearted 1–0 or 2–0 win in a final few actually watch. Part of the issue is timing. The Club World Cup falls awkwardly into the European calendar, often ...

The British and Irish Lions turned on the style in Brisbane on Wednesday night, overwhelming the Queensland Reds 52–12 in a display of both flair and ferocity that keeps their Australia tour on a perfect track. It was the second match of the Lions' tour Down Under and their second emphatic win, following a 54–7 hammering of the Western Force in Perth just days earlier. In front of a roaring crowd of more than 46,000 at Suncorp Stadium, the tourists surged to an eight-try triumph — five of those coming in a ruthless second half that crushed any hopes of a Reds comeback. While the scoreline paints a picture of dominance, it only tells half the story. The Lions' defence, in particular, played a critical role in setting the foundation for this big win, repeatedly shutting down a spirited but ultimately overmatched Queensland attack. England winger Tommy Freeman was the standout on the scoresheet, bagging a brace of tries, while Player of the Match Jac Morgan, Maro Itoje, Andrew P...

The British & Irish Lions’ tours to Australia in 2001 and 2013 remain cornerstones of Lions folklore—especially when revisiting their dominant clashes with Queensland sides. These matches—the roaring 83–6 demolition of a Queensland Presidents XV, the powerful 42–8 victory over the Queensland Reds in 2001, and the determined 22–12 win against the Reds in 2013—have provided unforgettable highlights for both die-hard supporters and newer fans gearing up for #Lions2025. For the Locked Down Spectator, here’s a dive into those electrifying Queensland encounters, analysing why they matter and what they reveal about the evolution of the Lions’ touring ethos. 🏆 1. Queensland Presidents XV 6–83 Lions (12 June 2001) Just days into their 2001 tour, the Lions faced a Presidents XV in Townsville—a side composed mostly of local club stars. Yet what unfolded was a display of clinical precision and sheer force. After a slow start, the Lions erupted, crossing the line 13 times including five tr...

 *** This article was first published in February 2023. It was ahead of India's tour to South Africa, as well as the controversial Proteas squad announcement for the tour to New Zealand in February 2024... *** If there ever was a case of becoming a victim of one’s own success, the sport of cricket can attest to this double-edged sword. Namely, Twenty20 cricket. This shortened form of the game took the sport by storm back in 2003 when English cricket implemented it to regain the waning attention of spectators at stadiums and viewers at home. It made perfect sense, for the Gentlemen’s Game – Test, First-Class, One Day International and List-A – was struggling to hold the attention of fans at the start of the 21st century. There were already more than enough distractions in the day of the average cricket lover to deter them from going to the stadium or plopping down on the coach to see how the Proteas could navigate a particularly tricky lunch-to-tea session against an unexpectedly co...

*** This article was first published in February 2023, before any significant developments on the African and European footballing calendars since then ***  The smartest decision CAF has made this century – or last decade to be specific – was moving the Africa Cup of Nations from January to June/July. The scheduling before proved to be menacing to Europe’s leagues, whether they were the prestigious ones or otherwise. This was understandable, considering how the continent’s best players were now plying their trade up north. Having to let go of these valuable individuals so that they could go do international duty in the demanding period during and after the festive season regularly derailed a team’s campaign, so the grumblings of discontent were justified. Up until the 2000s, African leagues ran from February until November and December, so having AFCONs take place when they did was perfectly sensible. However, it was only a matter of time before many local football associations – n...