Murray Kinsella reports from Hamilton
PETER OโMAHONY THE Lionsโ Test captain? It would have been virtually unthinkable several months ago, when the Munster man wasnโt even in Irelandโs team, but now the prospect is very real.
Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones remain in the selection mix for the first Test, but having led the tourists so impressively last weekend against the Mฤori All Blacks, with his management of referee Jaco Peyper being particularly impressive, OโMahony has a genuine shot.
The South African match official will take charge of the first Test next weekend in Auckland too, when OโMahonyโs good relationship with him could be useful.
Aside from that referee duty, OโMahony has been impressing his team-mates as a leader in this Lions squad and itโs clear that he has earned the respect of those around him.
โPete did a fantastic job I thought,โ said hooker Jamie George of OโMahonyโs captaincy in Rotorua last weekend.
โHe doesnโt over-talk, he doesnโt feel he has to talk every time. But when he does talk, he talks brilliantly and everybody listens and heโs a fantastic role model and someone very easy to follow.โ
Meanwhile, fellow back row James Haskell said that OโMahony โled by example the other nightโ and that same respect for the Cork native is present throughout the Lions group.
OโMahony has vast experience of captaining teams, including Munster and Ireland, and he tends to take these kinds of honours in his stride. The challenge of leading the Lions against the All Blacks would be unlikely to faze him.
Of course, there is still a chance that Warren Gatland could decide to break up his balanced and effective back row of OโMahony, Sean OโBrien and Taulupe Faletau in favour of bringing in tour captain Sam Warburton.
OโMahony could miss out in that case, but the Welsh openside has struggled to find his best form and is short of match sharpness, meaning the proven back row trio should hold their places.
Starting at blindside flanker may come with the captaincy for OโMahony and if that proves to be the case, the Lions are entirely comfortable with the Irishman leading the way.
โIโd be more than comfortable,โ said assistant coach Andy Farrell. โIโd be more than comfortable with a number of players being able to do that. To be honest, itโd be the easiest team to captain because thereโs so many leaders out there.
โWhat the guys who have captained the side so far have realised is they donโt have to be vocal all the time, because thereโs always people thatโs helping them out and I think the balance has been great so far.โ
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Bulls*%#. Should have taken control of the situation. If your not going to control the situation as custodians of the game what are you going?? Be as well rip up the rule book and quit.
@Stephen Drake: I guess youโre one of the people that just doesnโt get it, that Ryan is referring to, Stevo! And itโs okay, albeit a pity, that you donโt get it, he said!
I suppose it makes sense that the amateur sport has an amateur leadership.
Itโs still not sorted. When is the replay fixed for? Until itโs played itโs still an Issue.
@John Smith: will never be played
Extraordinary incompetence from an organisation that has so much buy in across our nation! Itโs time the GAA answered some hard questioning.
Ah, the same old rhetoric from the top man in there GAA . He didnโt w to undermine the CCCC ,โ he didnโt have to,โ if the CCCC is the body within the GAA that it was up to the Members to initiate an enquiry straight away,โ that evening. He need not try to hide behind a sub committee, โ Iโm sure there was a discussion in Croke Park that evening,- no point in saying there wasnโt. A shower of gutless watery individuals who could not make a decision , just as in 2010. after Leinster Final. Will ye go and Man up and deal with crisis when it happens .
Day 1 , replay . Sounding like the Tories .
Hounds gaa come down to. Cork ll make sure ya get free deal tramp that promoter hearn up the Irish forever
@Mark Murphy: wtf
@rhino burns: a very sensible comment from Murph there rhino! I hope hounds gaa come down to as well!