The Lions coach has come in for criticism in his homeland yet knows his side must resist the All Blacks’ attempts to provoke an open game in the first TestHistory, ancient and modern, points to the Lions being outroared by New Zealand. The All Blacks warmed up for the series by amassing 78 points and 12 tries against Samoa. When asked what the Lions would need in Saturday’s first Test, the Samoa captain, Kahn Fotuali’i, replied: “Luck.”As well as tries, luck has largely eluded them so far. The loss of the No8 Billy Vunipola before the tour was compounded by the thigh injury suffered by Owen Farrell in training, a Lion the All Blacks would find space for. It would...
Warren Gatland will face criticism for bringing in reinforcements and on the field there are still chances being frittered awayThe criticism will not bother Warren Gatland in the slightest but it has been widespread nonetheless after he seconded four Wales players and two Scots on the basis of geography. He has been accused of devaluing the Lions jersey in doing so and, moreover, he risks affecting the dynamic of the squad. You have to feel for Kristian Dacey for example, no doubt thrilled to be called up but constantly being told he is not there on merit. For Gatland to say those six will be leaving the squad after the last midweek game also feels unnecessary. All will be forgotten...
The fly-half is a totem for the Lions and if he cannot win his fitness race for the first Test it would be a significant hit to their chances in New ZealandThe general consensus is that if the Lions are going to beat the All Blacks they will need to score three or four tries but that is a myth. They are in New Zealand to win Test matches, they are not going to play a lot of rugby, they are not going to showcase many skills and they will 100% try to strangle the All Blacks. If they execute the gameplan, built around a very solid defence, a very solid set-piece and a very accurate kicking game, then one...
Tourists found wanting in final stages against Highlanders; Warburton needs to prove he is up to speed; discipline disintegrates and Ben Te’o the man for No12If a second midweek defeat of the tour has brought the Lions down to earth, there is equally no need for Warren Gatland to panic. There were positives in the 23-22 defeat in Dunedin – they outscored the Highlanders three tries to two after all – but many of their failings against the Blues returned. It was a breathless match, the best so far, but the Lions were found wanting in the final stages. Should Owen Farrell rather than Greig Laidlaw have kicked at goal considering it was his first involvement? Should Elliot Daly have...
The partnership, featuring Murray’s tactical kicking and Farrell’s distribution, led to the British & Irish Lions’ best performance of the tour against the CrusadersThe British & Irish Lions may have been rocked by criticism in New Zealand of their playing style, but their victory against the Crusaders showed they are not going to be swayed by it.They pitched up in Christchurch with six players from the 2013 tour to Australia who were making their first starts in New Zealand: if it was not quite the A-team, they brought their A-game, led around the field by authoritative, pragmatic half-backs. Related: Sam Warburton to return from injury and lead Lions against Highlanders Related: Lions’ confounding win gives New Zealand reasons to be...