O’Callaghan leads way as Lions tame Kings
This was the first time since 1989 that the Lions go into a Test series with an unblemished tour record. However, match captain Donncha O’Callaghan’s battle-hardened troops had to overcome an overly-aggressive local side in a game scarred by several late tackles from a number of players.
The tourists had to keep their wits about them to deal with several acts of aggression with both James Hook (head) and Euan Murray (ankle) suffering injuries that could yet end their participation in the tour.
Gordon D’Arcy paid tribute to O’Callaghan for helping the Lions keep their composure.
D’Arcy admitted to having to hold himself back after being floored in an early illegal challenge from De Wet Barry, but said O’Callaghan’s insistence on not being drawn into an all-out war was the correct call.
He also praised O’Callaghan for leading by example: “Donncha is the kind of guy who just does that – leads by example; he is a real workhorse in this squad, somebody who is there under the radar and who constantly does his job.”
Lions coach Ian McGeechan wasn’t at all pleased with the locals’ approach but was very happy with the restraint shown by his charges.
“They wanted to make a game of it which is fair enough; it was pretty full-on, and we had to control that. We showed enough control to win and it was a very pleasing aspect of our second half performance to overcome the difficulties they posed for us.
“We kept our heads and we did damage to them in technical areas that hurt them most. It was very important we kept our composure and we can move on now to prepare for a Test match,” said McGeechan.
O’Callaghan admitted his players were disappointed with the approach of the Southern Kings in the first half but believes his team handled a difficult situation admirably: “We’re at a level where we can’t sink to that. Our discipline was superb given that things were going on off the ball. Our guys rose above some of the stuff that was happening. We just decided not to get involved and get on with winning the match. I was happy with what we achieved, with the way we adapted and, of course, I was delighted with the result.”
And there was ill-feeling immediately after the game when rival fly-halves Ronan O’Gara and Jaco van der Westhuyzen were involved in a pushing match.
O’Gara was angered by the Kings’ aggressive tactics: “They were more interested in kicking lumps out of us than scoring or keeping the score down,” he said.
“The other teams we’ve faced have been passionate and proud, but these guys fancied themselves to take a scalp.”
D’Arcy, meanwhile, appeared to refuse to shake hands with his opposite number De Wet Barry.
Barry had been a midfield terminator for the Southern Kings, especially during a ferocious first half.
D’Arcy said: “There were some questionable tackles, but that’s the way it is.
“De Wet Barry is a good, physical, strong player. He’s one of those guys who likes to get in amongst it.
“I shook his hand, but I didn’t want to have a chat with him.”
Still, a disappointing element of the win was the fact that no stand-out candidates for selection on Test team emerged. O’Callaghan did well, Nathan Hines wasn’t bad playing out of position at blind side flanker, Andrew Sheridan was powerful in helping the Lions demolish the home scrum, and Ronan O’Gara made a major case to wear number ten on Saturday.
O’Gara admitted it was difficult to assess his chances of selection: “It was a funny game; very far removed from the type of intensity you would get in a Test match, so it’s difficult for me to figure out where I stand. I just hope, come what may, I will have a chance to make an impact at some stage of Saturday’s game.”
Jaco van der Westhuyzen kicked the home side into an early lead with a penalty, an advantage they held for 26 minutes until O’Gara, a tenth minute replacement for the injured James Hook, finally put the Lions on the scoreboard.
The Southern Kings lost a chance of the lead when van der Westhuyzen, back on the pitch after a ten minute cooling off for a high, late and dangerous tackle on Riki Flutey, sent a 39th minute penalty to the right and wide.
While the locals might have been fortunate to finish with a full compliment of players given their propensity for dangerous and late challenges, the Lions were fortunate to finish the half on level terms.
Predictably, it got better in the second half, and O’Gara showed them the way, kicking a penalty after four minutes and then brilliantly setting up a try for Ugo Monye. The outhalf kicked the conversion from the right hand touchline to stretch the lead out to ten points.
Welsh referee Nigel Owens awarded a penalty try to the Lions, a score converted by O’Gara, in the 70th minute but the tourists had to defend desperately in the immediate aftermath, following a scything break by van der Westhuyzen. That spell of dominance ended triumphantly for flanker Mpho Mbiyozo who snatched a try in the corner.
SOUTHERN KINGS: T Mangweni; W Human, F Welsh, De Wet Barry, M Turner; J van der Westhuyzen, F Hougaard; J Engels, D Kuun (capt), R Vermeulen; R Skeate, M Wentzel; S Tyibilika, D Nell, M Mbiyozo.
Replacements: D Greyling for Vermeulen, 10; J Fowles for Hougaard, 42.
LIONS: K Earls; U Monye, R Flutey, G D’Arcy, L Fitzgerald; J Hook, M Blair; A Sheridan, R Ford, E Murray; S Shaw, D O’Callaghan (capt); N Hines, A Powell, J Worsley.
Replacements: A Jones for Murray, 7; R O’Gara for Hook, 10; S Williams for Monye, M Rees for Ford, 63.
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