Aisle be back: The Lions tour and the Hurricanes bye week

The Lions tour will hopefully see some epic rugby. It definitely will see some epic hot air.

I mean, let's start with just one pre-tour starter for 10. That this is an incredibly difficult tour.

It was I believe Ted who started that off, but Warren Gatland has hardly hosed down the perception.

So what does it mean. If as coach you accept it is an IDT, then what are you trying to say to your squad?

Are you saying to them that it's okay to drop games. There there, never mind. No, I don't think so.

Or are you building up the challenge in order to wind up your squad, jolt any complacency, and make sure everyone takes this expedition seriously. You'd have to think so.

If it's the latter strategy, you may string together a series of wins over the franchises, Maori and the provincial selections and go into the test series with morale high and wind in your sails.

Or if you have a mixed record, you kind of arrive at the first test uncertain of how you're travelling. But at least you knew it was going to be tough, so it's not too bad.

Obviously the first outcome is preferable. If you can foot it with franchises then you can have confidence in taking on the All Blacks.

Of course that assumes the home franchises are at full strength. It's hard to believe they will be, or that many All Blacks will be risked. Maybe a judicious mix will be allowed, if it serves the build-up to the first test.

If the Lions aren't competitive against somewhat weakened franchises, then heaven help them.

On the other hand, by bringing 40-plus players, it's no secret the Lions wanted a big enough squad to run fully opposed trainings, so they can work on strategies away from prying home eyes.

Gatland states the obvious - that winning the first test is crucial. So the challenge for both sides is how to best use the build-up.

I'd just be wary of what both sides will be putting out in the mind games. Are they talking to the opposition or to themselves, because that kind of changes the meaning.

Confused? And we haven't even started yet.

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Anyone else disappointed it's a bye week, given the second-half smoking of the Brumbies?

Then we have the Stormers. I was surprised by their outing against the Crusaders, who just ran away with it.

I was surprised really by how poor the visitors were. Or perhaps I'm just not giving the Crusaders their due. They are building well.

Hopefully that won't put the jinx on the Canes, This is no time to drop the ball.

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I can't shake my bonus point remorse. That one dropped against the Chiefs, and the other against the Waratahs.

We'd be a point adrift of the Saders, and have a little margin on the Chiefs.

I know I should let it go. But you know I'm not going to.

Lifelong All Blacks supporter Kev has followed the Hurricanes since they began. Last year his faith in them was rewarded when they won the title – can they do it again?