Murray Kinsella reports from Dunedin
THE LIONS TEAM Warren Gatland names on Thursday morning in New Zealand will tell us plenty about his Test plans, but it won’t tell us everything.
Gatland is sure to hold a combination or two back for the first Test against the All Blacks, both to bring an element of surprise and to safeguard his team against the possible negative effects of losing to the Maoris.
The Lions boss has excellent options in almost every department, even if some contenders played themselves completely out of the equation in Tuesday’s defeat to the Highlanders.
While the front row, second row, back row, halfbacks and midfield positions are very competitive, the back three is now a major concern for Gatland.
So far, none of the back three players on this tour have truly shone.
Tommy Seymour was poor against the Highlanders, while Jack Nowell was very quiet. The Scot was solid in his other outing against the Provincial Barbarians, while Nowell struggled against the Blues.
Liam Williams got a yellow card in Auckland then looked a little hesitant against the Crusaders, while George North was also too timid in that game in Christchurch, totally failing to dominate the aerial game.
Elliot Daly has looked sharp in his brief appearances and may feature in the Tests, while Anthony Watson’s pace and evasion were exciting for the Lions against the Crusaders, albeit at fullback.
Leigh Halfpenny, meanwhile, was solid against the Blues and Stuart Hogg’s tour is already over.
Any prospect of Jared Payne emerging as the Lions’ Test fullback appeared to be severely damaged with his costly handling errors against the Highlanders in Dunedin.
Gatland and the Lions say they are not calling up a replacement player for Hogg just yet, but one of Simon Zebo or Keith Earls, both in Japan with Ireland, must be tempting right now.
While the make-up of the back three is a worry, Gatland has far more welcome headaches elsewhere.
Mako Vunipola was strong against the Crusaders and has the most rounded game of the three looseheads, while Jack McGrath and Joe Marler have tended to offer more scrum stability in recent seasons.
At hooker, Jamie George’s dynamism makes him a strong Test contender, but Rory Best’s turnover skills and Ken Owen’s robust leadership cannot be discounted.
While Kyle Sinckler has been superb on this tour, offering power and aggression as well as fine skills, Tadhg Furlong remains the first-choice tighthead prop ahead of the Tests, Dan Cole having underperformed off the bench against the Highlanders.
Lineout specialist George Kruis and Welshman Alun Wyn Jones were superb in the second row against the Crusaders, while Maro Itoje is a potentially explosive replacement, but Iain Henderson is now back in the mix and Courtney Lawes was having a good tour until a nasty concussion against the Highlanders.
The back row of Peter O’Mahony, Taulupe Faletau and Sean O’Brien was superb last Saturday, and captain Sam Warburton is under huge pressure to be involved in the first Test in any capacity.
Conor Murray seems certain to start in the nine shirt, but the make-up of the midfield is a key issue.
Owen Farrell is many people’s favourite to start at out-half, though his combination with Johnny Sexton last weekend was fascinating. The Lions are insisting they have not trained as a 10-12 combo but they looked extremely slick working together.
Ben Te’o has had impressive moments at 12, and Gatland has talked him up regularly, while Robbie Henshaw is not out of the race yet either. But Farrell and Sexton are class acts at their best and their creative skills could be vital to unlocking the All Blacks.
Nonetheless, it would be a surprise if they were both named to start against the Maoris this weekend, and it may be that Gatland is holding them back for the first Test.
Jonathan Davies was unfortunately sidelined by concussion in the first half of that Crusaders game, but his form is sensational and he should get another shot to copper-fasten the 13 shirt this coming weekend.
When considering his Test side, Gatland will need to ensure that his place-kicker is in form and in that regard, Halfpenny offers the greatest reliability.
Nonetheless, it is around the back three that Gatland is likely to be worrying over the next week.
Murray Kinsella’s Lions squad for first Test:
15. Leigh Halfpenny
14. Anthony Watson
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Owen Farrell
11. George North
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Jamie George
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Alun Wyn Jones (captain)
5. George Kruis
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Rory Best
17. Jack McGrath
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. Maro Itoje
20. CJ Stander
21. Rhys Webb
22. Ben Te’o
23. Elliot Daly
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Jose plays too much defensive football to adapt to that style of play. Football has moved on if Jose doesn’t win a major cup this year( CL or PL ) it can be seen as a failure as Jose has always won either or if not both in his first two seasons at a club ( respective league where he managed not necessarily PL )
@Jamie Smith: obsessed
@Jamie Smith: football can be played in different ways. You’re going on as if United are battling relegation and not in the champions league. I think Jose not winning the PL is more of a sign of how shite most of the man united players are as opposed to his management style. He’s literally the best manager of his generation by a hefty distance. It’s not even debatable. Recency bias is the only thing saying otherwise.
@Brian: it’s either him or pep, both a long way down from fergie
@Brian: to say it’s not even debatable is crazy it’s most definitely debatable.
@Gary O’Hanlon: only argument here is … pep was handed money and big squads .. Porto winning champions league has to be biggest achievement any of them have ever had
“Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United will struggle to catch Manchester City this season.”
Let it never be said that we’re living through an era of too much football coverage when we’re still getting riveting takes.
Have to agree with Rooney. City and Liverpool play some of the best ball ever seen in England. Put them up there with Dalglish team of 88/89. Both clubs are going to be evn better next season. Mourinho has to change. That football is not what United are about. Valencia at RB tells you all you need to know. Ultra defensive.
@England’s Envy:
No mention of the Pool in the article.
Though I agree Jose is more conservative/pragmatic in his approach, playing Valencia at right back, one of the best wingers in the premiership who breaks forward at every opportunity and scores good goals cannot be classified as defensive minded.
@Niccolo Saccho: I know it’s madness. And he is played at RB. And coupled with donkey Smalling and The Next Duncan Edwards (jones). Sad and blind and Rojo can’t get in.
@England’s Envy: but they didn’t cost 75m !! Even combined hahahahahaha plus I think they have actually won some trophies
@England’s Envy:
Best defensive record in the league though. 1 less goal conceded than City, 13 less than the Pool, 17 less than Arsenal. Hard to argue with that.
Having the best keeper in Europe probably helps too.
Eric Bailly is sorely missed though. A rock at the heart of the defence.
@Mr Nimziki: No i suppose so, but Poggers cost twice that and couldn’t get a game the weekend. Even after another man of the match award at Wembley. And I’m hoping you will keep it nice this time. Ok !
@Mr Nimziki: different times
City are playing well and nobody will catch them go down to the bookies and collect your dosh now but they’re not as good as Wenger’s Invincibles and can’t see them winning The Champers no way much better teams around Europe right now Barcelona, Real, PSG, Juventus, Bayern they’ve a long way to go to catch that lot anyway please God Pep doesn’t start that Tiki Taka nonsense styled upon Dutch Total Football which resulted on the worst World Cup in living memory when Spain lifted the trophy a few years ago as one commentator remarked: Like watching a boa constrictor slowly strangulating a rodent to death.
#LeaveEnglishFootballAloneIt’sGrand.
@Niccolo Saccho: City are probably better than all the teams you just mentioned. In fairness to you, you’re doing a great job at keeping up the pretence that you know what you’re talking about. I wouldn’t even know how much of a lunatic you are, if I hadn’t seen the nonsensical drivel you constantly spew on the journal.
@Coner Willis:
Come back to me at the end of the season, if Man City win the Champers I’ll eat my hat.
@Niccolo Saccho: how will he find you when you change accounts every couple of weeks?
@Niccolo Saccho: I won’t be able to find you by the end of the season because by then you’ll have been banned and forced to change your name a good 6 or 7 times. Just do yourself a favour and turn off your computer and go for a walk. Buy a dog. Find some meaning in life other than constantly rambling about nonsense on internet comment sections.
@Coner Willis:
‘Find some meaning in life other than constantly rambling about nonsense on internet comment sections’
**IRONY-ALERT**
@Niccolo Saccho: Please don’t tell me that Niccolo is Alan B/Marcus?
@An Observer:
Never heard of the guy.
@Coner Willis:
‘start talking to someone because face to face communication is much more fulfilling than embittered arguing with random strangers on the internet’
You sound quite angry there. Actually I find that amateur psychologists are usually the most angry people in society.
Just an observation.
ps
Seeking solace in alcohol is not the solution, you’ll end up with an alcohol problem.
Try AA.
@Niccolo Saccho: Okay Niccolo, keep running away from your problems if thats all you know how to do. For both our sakes I won’t reply to you anymore.
@Coner Willis:
Have you tried the argument clinic? Special offers currently.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y
@Coner Willis:
‘ For both our sakes I won’t reply to you anymore’
Your 5 minutes was up in either case.
(special offer on 10 minute arguments today)
@Coner Willis:
Before you go…any opinion on the article? Would love to hear your assessment of Rooney’s appraisal of the Man City situation?
Feel free.
@Peter:
Peter, I only have time for a 5 minute argument right now.
OK, let’s get started……………..
Peter, you are a footballing ignoramus.
(awaiting your reply)
@Niccolo Saccho: the villa fan who never comments on villa
@Gary O’Hanlon:
A Villa article on the Journal?
As rare as a hen’s tooth.
@Niccolo Saccho: one here two days ago and not sight nor sound of you lad, but an article about pep or man united and you’re all over it, funny that
@Gary O’Hanlon:
More substantial matters.
@Niccolo Saccho: that’s a very stupid comment .describing yourself there . gets pathetic after your first account gets blocked ..you will prob be banned again for talking about mental illness in an alcohol problem
@Niccolo Saccho: no no no cmon the 42 better sign up proof .. My god that’s not an argument with Peter .. that’s a very lame attempt of an insult . “Ignoramus” and you don’t really have arguments on a forum imo ?? would either be debated or even a heated discussion .. that’s if your not an imbecile and too childish .. know I shall block you .good day to you sir .
Take note Jose, you’re even boring your players to death!
@Caoimhin O’Murchadha: Rooney plays for Everton
@FPL Thommo: You do remember he played for Utd when Jose was the manager yeah? I mean that is mentioned in the article…or are you just ignoring his comments and burying your head in the sand?
@Caoimhin O’Murchadha: lads the league table doesn’t lie…. United are second. Not 18th
@Teddyzigzagbigbag: https://twitter.com/paddypower/status/960540678093668354 sums em up brilliantly
@Teddyzigzagbigbag: That’s a question that will be answered when the seasons over I suppose, I’d agreed it doesn’t lie though…6th last season wasn’t it?
‘I think Guardiola is putting the foundations in place of trying to emulate that Barcelona team’
Don’t know about that. Players such as Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Pique, Mascherano don’t pop up in the January window that often.