Donal Lenihan: Lions pay for calamitous selection error and setpiece collapse

Warren Gatland has a lot to ponder between now and next weekend

South Africa’s Makazole Mapimpi touches down for a try in Saturday’s second Test against the Lions in Cape Town. Picture: EJ Langner/Getty Images

After one of the most fractious and indisciplined halves of rugby that I have seen for some time, I prayed for the Lions to take us out of our misery and capture a series win that appeared well within their grasp at the break.

That opening period was characterised by a complete lack of continuity, zero tempo, and a horrible undercurrent following the unprecedented attacks by South African director of rugby Rassie Erasmus on Australian referee Nic Berry during the week. That, coupled with the claim from the Springbok camp that Warren Gatland had destroyed the dignity of the series by questioning the appointment of a former South African referee as TMO — an allegation he denies — has drastically changed the mood around these games.