THERE’S ANOTHER NERVOUS wait for the Lions players as Warren Gatland makes up his mind around selection for the third and decisive Test against the Springboks.
Last night certainly left the Lions head coach with much to ponder and there are only a handful of players who can feel completely safe in terms of retaining their places.
Gatland will appreciate the need to maintain some element of cohesion but it also looks impossible for him not to make changes given that he has quality players to select from outside last night’s matchday 23.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones is one player who is certain to be retained in Gatland’s team but he recognises the nervy time ahead for others as the Lions look to bounce back from a humbling 27-9 defeat.
“We have got to get up and stay together, it’s still a squad effort,” said Jones last night. “Gats is notorious for making changes and we go again.
“There has been a lot said about a wounded Springbok, but I think the Lions have taken a dent today and we need to put it right.
“Everyone is well aware that Gats will make changes. There will probably be an opportunity for some and I have a feeling that people want to put it right. I could definitely feel that.”
With the Lions having faded badly in the final quarter yesterday as the Boks finished over the top of them, the likes of Jones and Gatland will have a big job on their hands around the mental side of the build-up to their third Test.
On top of that, they have issues to resolve in the scrum, maul, aerial battle, and their attacking game. All in all, it was a worrying second half for the Lions.
“It was probably a momentum shift, wasn’t it?” said Jones.
“We probably came second best in the aerial battle and they got momentum from getting to the corners and the set-piece.
“I think their maul turned up this week and put us under pressure.
“We did well at stifling the maul last week on the deck, probably something we need to look at. It was probably a by-product of the positive pressure we had early on in the game, but we probably just need to stick to the plan.
“Parts of the game that were prevalent and positive from last week weren’t there, particularly in the second half this week.
“We’re fortunate, we’ve got another week. It’s obviously going to be the biggest week of the tour now. It’s the last chance to put it right.”
Lions need to fight fire with fire and deploy their own 6/2 bombsquad, add power to the midfield with Aki, and add flair to the back 3.
1. Vunipola
2. Cowan Dickie
3. Furlong
4. Itoje
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Beirne
7. Curry
8. Faletau
9. Murray
10. Farrell
11. Rees Zammit
12. Aki
13. Henshaw
14. Adams
15. Williams
16. Wyn Jones 17. Owens 18. Sinckler 19. Lawes 20. Henderson 21. Conan 22. Price 23. Daly
(Team given Wyn Jones is fit and Sinckler isn’t banned)
@Bruce Lee: lions need to keep the ball in Play, speed up their attack, stop boxkick and stop running straight into an organised defence that’s ready and waiting to smash them again see speed up attack.
@Chris Mc:
I think you are asking them to play rugby…. Which is a good idea…
I think Aki in back line could actually allow them to trust getting the ball to 13 and outside channels.
If you don’t get these SA running they will beat you in the arm wrestle
@Bruce Lee: Murray and Farrell will not cut it. Speed and creativity are required. That’s Price and Russell.
@Cowboy Paddy: as silly as that sounds yes to beat SA just play rugby. Measuring willies trying to smash through a SA organised defence is daft. Run, pass and take on soft shoulders with the odd offload, grubber past them and keep the pace of the game at an uncomfortable level for them.
@Bruce Lee: need to change number 1 and 2 jack done nothing wrong id also have henderson in ashead off the captain but that will never happen = WG
@Bruce Lee: AWJ shouldn’t even be on the bench, Farrell has had his chance, would start with Russell, Hamish deserves a shot too. Bundy against DA would be great. Surprised he hasn’t featured given its the king of ‘bish bosh’ who’s calling the shots.