Murray Kinsella reports from Hamilton
THE SECOND ROW, the back row, the midfield and the left wing – there are a number of major selection calls ahead for Warren Gatland this week.
The Lions head coach will name his team for the first Test against the All Blacks at 8pm Irish time on Wednesday, and it will be fascinating to see which way these tight decisions go.
A front row of Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Tadhg Furlong looks nailed on after destroying the Māori All Backs scrum, while George Kruis will take one of the lock slots and lead the lineout, with Taulupe Faletau at number eight.
Conor Murray is the starting scrum-half, while Leigh Halfpenny will be at fullback if he comes through the return-to-play protocols after a head injury, which the Lions expect him to do. Elsewhere, there is less certainty.
The second lock spot has been up for grabs, with Alun Wyn Jones the early favourite but Maro Itoje was impressively powerful against the Māori and has a pre-existing and proven relationship with Kruis.
Though his experience is attractive, Jones could even miss out on making the bench, with Iain Henderson arguably offering a more dynamic impact, as he showed in Rotorua.
It is very difficult to see Sean O’Brien being left out at openside after two superb performances in a row, meaning tour captain Sam Warburton may be limited to a bench role or even miss out on making the matchday squad.
Peter O’Mahony was impressive as captain last weekend and he now has a major chance of leading the Lions into the first Test, although a start for Jones in the second row would possibly bring him in line to captain the side too.
The danger for O’Mahony is that Gatland looks to squeeze Warburton into the back row at blindside, where he has played for Wales, but that back row combination has not been trialled and the Lions would be loath to break up the O’Brien, Faletau and O’Mahony trio.
At out-half, the return of Owen Farrell to fitness means he is the favourite to guide the Lions around the pitch, although Johnny Sexton’s excellent performance against the Māori All Blacks ensures Gatland has a headache here.
In 50 minutes against the Crusaders, Sexton and Farrell showed hugely promising signs as a 10-12 pairing, and it is one consideration for the Lions.
However, the feeling in Hamilton is that Ben Te’o has done enough to convince Gatland of his credentials to hammer the Lions over the gainline, offload, and manage the physical threat of Sonny Bill Williams.
Te’o has only started one Test match for England, against Italy, but he has been one of the stars of this tour and he could now partner the excellent Welshman Jonathan Davies in the midfield.
In the back three, the underperformance of George North last weekend is a concern for Gatland, and possibly opens the door for one of Liam Williams or Elliot Daly to sneak into the side after a big display against the Chiefs on Tuesday.
Still, Gatland and his coaches appear to have faith that North can deliver on the big occasion. Anthony Watson has had a sharp tour and looks like the starter on the right wing, having shown competitive aerial skills along with his pace and footwork.
With the team to be named on Wednesday evening Irish time, Gatland and his coaches have a couple of interesting meetings ahead.
Possible Lions team for first Test:
15. Leigh Halfpenny
14. Anthony Watson
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Ben Te’o
11. George North
10. Owen Farrell
9. Conor Murray
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Jamie George
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Maro Itoje
5. George Kruis
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Ken Owens
17. Jack McGrath
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. Iain Henderson
20. Sam Warburton
21. Rhys Webb
22. Johnny Sexton
23. Elliot Daly
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Warburton will be starting no doubt. Even though he shouldn’t be.
It’d be criminal if O’Mahoney doesn’t start but you never know with gatland. Having Pom on the bench isn’t exactly a disaster. He’s way more an impact player than Warburton so on that basis I reckon he’ll start with the Welshman.
@Fionn Bohane: As POM has average barely 3 tackles so far per match, so its unlikely he will start.. Lions cant have defensive passengers if they want to win….
@Paul K Murphy: Hes averaging less then 3 tackles per match and hasn’t faired and better with ball in Hand. His core strenght is the defensive line out but that hasn’t materialized yet. For that reason give me CJ Laws or Marjo at 6 any day.
@Paul K Murphy: So what if everyone only made 1 tackle then?.
So give me one example of what he did in the game then? Because all he did was make 1 tackle, ran with ball 3 times which made 33cm each run, no breakdown turnovers completed for, or won, no lineout wins, Christ even if you stood in the middle of the pitch you make more than 1 tackle. Trust me you will not find a forward in any match ever that only made 1 tackle. its literally impossible…
@rory2u: I’m agreeing with u here.
@Paul K Murphy: or maybe he prefers a different sort of player? I back POM all the way but I’d love to see a few more carries from him. One things for sure,If obrien and faletau played like that aswell we’d be in big trouble.
@Paul K Murphy: they’re completely different positions! you’re comparing an out half with a prop! Backrowers do similar enough jobs, and if all u do is get involved in rucks you’re not doing enough. Can’t anyone do that? Just cause everyone loves POM atm doesn’t mean they’re right.Stats have value, that’s why coaches keep record of them. Backrowers should be making more then 3 carries! That’s simple rugby.
@Paul K Murphy: Never said they had too fill the same roles. Rugby still has certain roles for certain players, for the backrower being ruck time.what my point was that I can’t remember the last time a back rower was given such a high rating for hardly having a touch of the ball. He led the team well and controlled the ref is all I’m hearing from people. He’s mentally tough but I’m not gonna exaggerate someone’s performance because every other Irish person is.
@Paul K Murphy: yeah well since u think u know it all I guess we’ll leave it there. Thanks for pointing out your views.
@Paul K Murphy: Mine is called an opinion, u just said it yourself that everyone apparently agrees with u so it makes u right? The stats aren’t something u brush over and then say I’ve got nothing to argue with. Go ahead and go on like he brings loads to the team without touching the ball. Stats speak for themselves, don’t know what you’re seeing. Anyways hope I didn’t offend u but I don’t get your point. Have a nice night bro!
Itoje has to start. Simple as. Best player in the NH hands down.
@Pappy O’Daniel: very technical and insightful analysis.
@Pappy O’Daniel:
He’s great and I think he should start but he’s not the best player in the NH. He’s not even the best second row at Saracens.
@LM: He hasnt had a great tour so far either. He seems quite off form. He is also slightly over rated anyway as he plays for the top 6 nations side and top club side at the moment.
It will be interesting to see will gatland puck the team in current form or red tinted glasses. Warburton , AWJones or based on last saturday North should not be starting
Cj needs a rest. He’s played some amount of rugby this year and something’s got to give. There’s a reason why SoB and Pom are on fire as both of them have had far less rugby this season.
Henderson should be on bench offers more impact than Jones but gatland will go with Jones and possibly itoje off bench
With Paddy Power quoting 6/1 ON The ABs, Gatland would be doing himself no favours shoe horning his welsh pets into team. Pick it on form and let it fall as it will. If/when Lions get tonked then he has the reasin/excuse to do anything he wants. Additionally if he believes he us seriously in the frame to succeed Hansen he’s not going to audition for the job by picking a bum team.
No room for CJ in the match day squad??
@Fergal Flanagan: That’s right. And not too many would argue with it. He hasn’t been on form for a while, possibly still struggling with injury.
@Darren McGuire: he’s been on very consistent form for a while I’d say. Faletau has just outdone himself.
@Darren McGuire: bench spot should be between him and tipuric. Both I better than Warburton in my mind
I cant argue with Murrays selection here , looks like spot on . There will be injuries and poor performances, so the others not selected will feature in the other tests.
How much has Henshaw really done wrong? Could he do a job on the wing?
@Christiaan Theron: I hope that was sarcasm.
A good win tomorrow will set the test team up nicely for the big match. The A forwards are looking strong with plenty of top class back up in all the key positions. Mako is a wonderful player but McGrath’s not that far behind. Henderson or AWJ on the bench, either one will add real heft if asked to come on and, well, if Sexton doesn’t make the team, Farrell better have a blinder.