Dear Butch,
 
I felt the urge to write to you after that shemozzle in Sydney at the weekend.

It's a sobering reality that when last the Lions played in Sydney, in 2010, they shipped 73 points against the Waratahs.

There's a lot to be said for pragmatism.
This weekend the Lions finally got rid of the fancy frills and played no more than dogged rugby to record just their second win in 25 matches. Gone was the wild flamboyance and in its place sensible, basics-first rugby.

If you're a Lions fan, the best way to look at the Vodacom Super Rugby standings is upside down - that way, they're on top.
Things are that bad.