McGeechan inspiration behind turning Bentley into a legend

The Dewsbury-born dual-code international had bounced around between league and union, making a modest living for himself in his early career, before getting the call to become a Lion that would change his life.

“My wife often points out that I went on one tour, scored one try and have got one speech – so when will I get over myself,” jokes Bentley, whose place in Lions folklore is secure thanks to one remarkable feat.

The tour in question was the 1997 Lions trip to South Africa, the try was Bentley’s mazy 60-metre run in the midweek victory over Gauteng that elevated him into the final two Tests, and the speech is the one he has been giving to whoever will listen ever since.

Who can blame him? Bentley turned the opportunity of a lifetime into a life-changing catalyst.

“I always believe life’s about opportunities, firstly you’ve got to identify them and secondly you’ve got to take that opportunity,” he says.

“I admit I was lucky. I had no idea I was going to be picked and I was fortunate to be selected.

“I was in the right place at the right time. The people picking were looking for a certain player.

“Importantly for me in 1997, I made some huge sacrifices to be part of that tour, but it’s only for a few weeks of your life, and all the hard work came to fruition.

“The intensity, the atmosphere created by 60,000 Lions fans is inspirational. We had a great group of players who all pulled in the right direction.

“It was fearsome at times, like nothing I’d ever experienced before; the intensity, the aggression, the attrition – everything about it.

“But it was amazing, and if you can’t get up to play for this team, you’ll never get up for anyone.”

Perhaps because his was the outstanding moment of the last successful Lions team, Bentley’s name has endured.

That he is a confident and quick-witted speaker has also helped to perpetuate his mythical contribution to the Lions story.

But for all the speeches he has given, it was one he received from another famous Lion that so inspired him ahead of the second Test in Durban.

“(Sir) Ian McGeechan (coach) did a team talk before that second Test about having special days in your life, and this being one of them,” recalls Bentley. “I was sat there, hours before the start of the second Test, in tears because the whole speech was provoking emotions about family and about friends.

“He said that there’ll be moments on the field where you’ll be stood next to a team-mate where nothing will be said, it will just be a look between the two of you and that will suffice. And that it might be 30 years before you see that person again, but it’ll just be that look again that you’ll trade.

“That is so true. A Lions tour is such a remarkable opportunity, such a unique experience.

“When you consider that in 125 years of touring that they’ve only won four times, that says a lot. But I think it will be the fifth this year.”

Bentley’s confidence stems not from the squad that Warren Gatland has picked to face the Wallabies but from a man who is not even in the touring party just yet – Jonny Wilkinson.

The 34-year-old fly-half, so often England’s talisman over the last decade and a two-time Lion, took himself out of contention to be named in Gatland’s squad because his season with French club Toulon was not yet finished.

But in guiding the South of France club to a maiden Heineken Cup triumph last month, and to the verge of winning their domestic league as well, Bentley believes a call will go out to the reliable match-winner to help push the Lions over the line.

“I would bet my house Jonny will play some part in this tour,” says Bentley.

“Even if a prop goes down they’ll bring him over. You watch, I really believe he will be there.

“As he’s demonstrated in the Heineken Cup final and in the run-up to that, he’s still a high-calibre player and he’ll definitely be there. I think the Lions staff have spoken to him and I think he felt he couldn’t do the whole tour, because of his commitments with Toulon, which is very admirable.

“But I do think he will be there.”

As for the Lions’ chances?

“It’s important we win the first Test, and then I think it will be one apiece going into the third,” says Bentley.

“Then it’ll be all about holding your nerve and displaying a bit of composure.

“It’s integral that the midweek side perform and continue building the momentum. Because it’s all about taking momentum into the Test series.”

Bentley will be present at all three Tests and is in Hong Kong for the tour opener with the Barbarians today.

Back home, he is Leeds Carnegie’s community rugby chief and Cleckheaton’s director of rugby, but for the last three tours Bentley has also been a ‘Living with the Lions’ ambassador.

“I’m just living the dream really,” he adds, no doubt relishing the prospect of recounting that ’97 story one more time.