New Zealand coach remains respectful of dogged opponents but the truth remains that Warren Gatland’s Lions fell far short of requirements in AucklandIt’s an immutable truth that anyone who says “I don’t mean to brag” is about to do exactly that, just as the words “with the greatest respect” will surely be followed by anything but. Late on Saturday night Steve Hansen managed to use both, back-to-back, in his post-match press conference at Eden Park. Hansen was asked about his pack. He gave a good answer, spoke about how well they had played, and how their work was the foundation of everything his team had done. Then he paused, thought, and added: “You don’t become the No1 side for as...
The head coach is rolling the dice with key personnel decisions, but starting Leigh Halfpenny and Maro Itoje on the bench are gambles that may backfireConsidering the form in which he finished the season – not to mention how he performed in New Zealand last summer – Liam Williams’s selection is hardly a huge surprise but it still came somewhat out of the blue seeing as he played all 80 minutes against the Chiefs. He has a running threat not posed by Leigh Halfpenny but still, the 2013 player of the series can count himself unlucky. Halfpenny has been rock solid so far – even if Gatland has repeatedly said he needs more than that from his back three to...
Warren Gatland and his staff have had their selection meeting and come up with a cussed-looking team with a no-nonsense physical edge for Saturday’s first TestIt is so long since the All Blacks lost a Test at Eden Park that Maro Itoje was not even born the last time it happened. In July 1994 Wet Wet Wet were at No1 in the UK singles charts with Love Is All Around and rugby union was still, officially, an amateur game. Should the British & Irish Lions win in Auckland on Saturday it really will be a special achievement.For Lions fans in search of omens 23 years on, it could scarcely be any wetter across New Zealand’s north island than it is...
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...