Murray Kinsella reports from Hamilton
THIS LIONS TOUR had been waiting for a convincing collective performance from a Lions back three and it took until game six for that to arrive.
Liam Williams, Jack Nowell and Elliot Daly were impressive against a disappointing Chiefs side, as they limited the Kiwi side’s attacking kicking game and added some class going forward in a 34-6 victory.
The only problem for this trio is that their performance came just four days before the first Test, with much of head coach Warren Gatland’s thinking around his starting XV against the All Blacks already having been done.
That said, there was a slight doubt with the back three.
Leigh Halfpenny is the likely starter at fullback when Gatland names his side at 8pm Irish time tomorrow, while Anthony Watson is expected to line out on the right wing after a handful of sharp performances.
George North was one of the favourites to start on the wing before the tour began and remains the smart bet to occupy the 11 shirt, but Tuesday night’s win over the Chiefs gives Gatland plenty of food for thought.
He and his coaching staff have one final selection meeting on Wednesday before copper-fastening their Test match 23, and the back three is likely to spark lively debate.
“Someone like Jack Nowell, it just hadn’t happened for him in the first couple of games,” said Gatland after the win over the Chiefs. “He is a player who is prolific in terms of getting his hands on the ball. He showed that when he scored his tries.
“I was pleased to see him play well and I thought Elliot looked sharp and Liam too. It was a combination that looked pretty dangerous and pretty potent.
“There were a few times in the first half when we were a little bit lateral with the ball, but we were much better in the second half. We showed nice things out there and scored some great tries.”
If we are to read into players’ minutes against the Chiefs, then Daly being replaced with a quarter of the game still to go looked instructive.
That may simply be to save some of his energy for the 23 shirt, but the England wing is hopeful that he has done enough to convince Gatland.
“It would be amazing,” said Daly when asked about the prospect of a Test start. “At the start of the year I didn’t think I had a chance. If I got anywhere near it, it would be unbelievable.”
Asked if the 60-minute limit on Daly’s involvement had been a hint that the Wasps man would be involved against the All Blacks, Gatland smiled.
“Possibly,” said the Lions boss.
Daly’s pace and footwork are attractive for the Lions, but Williams also showed his skills in that department on Tuesday from fullback and Nowell’s ludicrous work rate is married to superb attacking qualities.
But as important for the Lions back three is defensive strength, with the All Blacks posing a kick-pass-run triple threat. Even in that sense, the back three against the Chiefs delivered.
“We had a massive emphasis in the week with Sanjay and Nowellsey about limiting their attacking kicking game,” said Daly.
“I think we did that tonight and both Sanjay and Nowellsey read it very well. All in all, it was a good performance by the back three.”
At least Gatland has more options now and some of those options have a bit of form behind them.
The back three had perhaps been the most disappointing area of the Lions tour so far, but the win over the Chiefs showed that there is life in the wide men yet.
Now come the big final decisions for Gatland. The back three players will accept his calls and attempt to help each other prepare for the great demands of the All Blacks.
“We are actually very tight, we have a lot of respect for each other, but we do understand that every time you get that chance to play with the Lions shirt, you get the chance to put your hand up for selection,” said Nowell.
“It hasn’t come a lot for the wingers – it’s been wet and drizzly – but the main thing is we are pushing each other, helping each other. We’d rather come back as a 3-0 winning team than fighting for position. Whoever gets the nod gets the nod and we’ll help him.”
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FFP. Unfortunately the boat was never going to float.
Money is king. From the bottom to the top.
As far as I’m aware financial revenue is the big thing and while Milan haven’t been bringing in a huge amount in terms of ticket sales, commercial revenue has still been quite high while they’ve been in the footballing wilderness.
Shit-show is such an underused way to describe something. Brilliant
they are only not facing ffp because they are not in Europe this season, will be screwed next year unless the new owner finds investors who will pour serious money in , borrowed money all around to buy the club and players, and are pretty much in a vulture fund with elliot management group who will take over if loans are not paid back next year. Apparently they are waiting on bonds to come through to even pay for some of their signings so they can’t play competitive matches until mid/end of August
Financial FairPlay is the biggest pile of shite. UEFA are useless. Good at fining clubs for minor indiscretions but when it comes to proper governing and safe guarding of the game they are inept.