No more hiding places

AS a consequence of their first defeat on tour to the Maoris last Saturday, it has been a difficult week for the Lions.

In New Zealand there are no hiding places and that is why the overwhelming feeling within the camp on the final whistle against Wellington was one of relief. When Gareth Thomas scored the match-clinching try with four minutes to go, cameras immediately flashed on coach Clive Woodward. His broad smile said it all. However on reflection he will no doubt realise that Wednesday’s game raised more questions than answers.

Given the poor performance up front against the Maori pack, it was inevitable that the Lions forwards would stand up and be counted. They simply had to. From the kick off they dominated to such a degree that, by half time, the Lions enjoyed a 90% territorial advantage. With a back line of near test quality, it must be a major concern to the management that despite their clear superiority the Lions scored just two tries. One wonders what Graham Henry made of it all.

After defeat to the Maoris, and again on Wednesday, Henry is convinced the Lions are holding back. We will have to wait until next week to see if he is right.

Privately, the Lions coaching staff will be well aware that, missing seven players including four current All Blacks, Wellington were well short of their best. The most pleasing aspect of the game from the Lions perspective was their improved showing at the much-debated breakdown. This area has created many sleepless nights for the tourists. By committing more numbers and lowering body angles less ball was turned over.

The arrival of Neil Back for his first appearance on tour also had the desired effect. Back is an aristocrat of the hidden arts of securing ball on the ground. He was also well aware that one convincing performance from him would secure the coveted Number 7 test jersey. After just 80 minutes of rugby, he has made it his own.

There is an old adage in rugby that “you play the way you train.” It was with considerable interest therefore that I noted Woodward’s comments in relation to the intensity of the Lions training up to this point.

There were many who felt that the Lions trained too hard in the early weeks of the 2001 tour.

It certainly didn’t sit well with some of the players. Interestingly, Back was not one of those. I still recall his disgust with some members of the tour party who in his mind didn’t realise that without sufficient work in the contact area, it would be impossible to compete with a Southern Hemisphere side. It now seems that the current squad has learned this lesson.

With Jerry Collins and Richie McCaw lying in wait in the All Blacks camp, it is just as well.

Tomorrow in Dunedin, the Lions are sure to face another examination up front. Otago’s headquarters in Carisbrook, affectionately known as the “house of pain”, is New Zealand’s equivalent of Thomond Park. On the last tour in 1993, Otago smashed the Lions. With Carl Hayman and James Ryan in the All Blacks’ squad, their set piece has been de-powered somewhat. However, with outstanding New Zealand Sevens exponent Josh Blackie and All Black Craig Newby in the back row, they will test the Lions efficiency at the breakdown.

At this stage, I estimate that 11 test places have been decided. One of the principle beneficiaries of the Lions performance up front on Wednesday was Ireland’s Shane Byrne. After cameo appearances off the bench, Byrne started for the first time since the nightmare against Argentina.

His lineout throwing was assured and he worked hard around the field.

Forwards coach Andy Robinson has stuck by Steve Thompson through thick and thin in the past. However, in the heat of battle, the accuracy of the hooker has become as important as that of the place kicker. For that reason alone, Byrne deserves to start.

Julian White is a certainty for the tight head position and given that Andrew Sheridan is only on the bench tomorrow, Gethin Jenkins will deservedly start at loose head.

Quite why Woodward withdrew Sheridan against the Maoris still remains a mystery. Given that he has never started an international, the management would have learned far more by keeping him on the field.

At this stage, it looks like Danny Grewcock is set to partner Paul O’Connell in the second row. With the requirement for more aggression and physicality, Grewcock fits the bill. The only concern is the frequency with which he collects yellow cards.

Leicester teammates Martin Corry and Neil Back are now certainties to start the Test series in the back row. Tomorrow Lewis Moody is given the opportunity to challenge Richard Hill for the remaining position. It is his first opportunity on tour in his more favoured Number 6 jersey. On the basis of his impressive performance against Wellington, Simon Easterby will also enter the debate.

There is every reason to suggest that the back line that played against Wellington will remain intact for the opening Test. Given their performance this is a concern. While Dwayne Peel has earned his starting position, it is clear that Jonny Wilkinson is some way below the level at which he performed for England in the World Cup. With so few games behind him, this is hardly a surprise. However, one can’t escape the feeling that Woodward will name him in the side. Despite the presence of proven performers in Gavin Henson, Brian O’Driscoll, Josh Lewsey and Jason Robinson, the Lions have failed to produce behind the scrum.

Without sounding too parochial, Ronan O’Gara orchestrated the most positive attacking movements of the tour so far when the Lions scored some superb tries in the game against the Bay of Plenty. Even on his brief cameo appearance against the Maoris, O’Gara set up the only decent attacking move from the Lions in the first half. Unfortunately he seems to be paying a very high price for two missed tackles in his opening game.

The most complete performance from a Number 10 so far was Charlie Hodgson’s. The decision to start him tomorrow confirms that he is still in the mix for the Test squad.

Having featured twice together, Gavin Henson is favoured to partner O’Driscoll in midfield. I am amazed that Tom Shanklin is not in the centre tomorrow and that he was never afforded the opportunity of partnering his captain on tour to date.

Welsh captain Gareth Thomas is set to join Lewsey in the back three. The remaining position is a toss up between Robinson, Shanklin, Geordan Murphy and Shane Horgan.

So far, the Lions have failed to convince the New Zealand public of their ability to compete. Given that the majority of the starting XV will now be placed in cotton wool for the visit to Christchurch, it is important that tomorrow’s team front up. While no more than three are fighting for a start in the first test, the balance are playing for positions on the bench. In the context of the mental preparation for the battles ahead, it is also imperative that momentum is maintained with a convincing victory.