Kearney: series win still on the cards

IRELAND full-back Rob Kearney, who realised a lifetime ambition when coming on for the Lions at Kings Park on Saturday, believes a Test series victory is still possible.

Their recovery on Saturday, from 19 points adrift with just 12 minutes left to finish a gripping contest camped deep inside Springboks territory, at least gives them hope.

A disappointed Kearney promised this squad won’t throw in the towel and said the Springboks had not yet felt the full brunt of his team’s aggression, particularly from the midfield combination of Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts.

“I think there is a lot to come from those guys,” said Kearney.

The Springboks were boosted by a fantastic start with a try from captain John Smit, while the Lions were crushed by the failure of Stephen Jones to put them on the score board with two penalty attempts.

Ugo Monye had a try claim disallowed by the video referee; Monye also had the ball knocked from his grasp as he attempted to score in the second-half and Tommy Bowe was a finger tip away from scoring another try. The Lions were penalised for obstruction as O’Driscoll sent Bowe away for what would have been a certain try, and in a Test series away from home, there can be no room for such missed chances.

Kearney, a replacement for the injured Lee Byrne, had an excellent outing; he kicked well and did everything possible to keep the Lions in the hunt for glory.

“I was happy with my own performance, very pleased in fact, but it doesn’t count for much when the team lost. But we’re not finished by any means. I think we proved in the second half that we are a decent side, capable of playing decent rugby. We have to look at this in a positive light, recognise it was disappointing to lose, but move on.

“The Test series is still there to be won, and I’m confident we have the players to do it. The important thing is that we give the Springboks nothing from the start of next week’s game; we cannot afford to give them a platform. They’re good, but I honestly believe we’re just as good. We must make a better start to the game and take stock of what we achieved in the latter stages of this week’s match.”

The remarkable transformation began with the replacement of Phil Vickery with Welsh prop Adam Jones and Springboks coach Peter de Villiers’ staggering arrogance in making seven substitutions during 17 minutes.

Gradually, the Lions worked their way back into the match from a near impossible situation early in the second half.

It all started so badly for the tourists when Smit scored that early try and Ruan Pienaar converted. The out half tacked on a penalty and Francois Steyn pushed the ‘Boks lead out to 13 points before Brian O’Driscoll sent Tom Croft in for a try that Jones converted.

But the Springboks were far from finished, as referee Bryce Lawrence kept heaping punishment on the Lions for perceived transgressions in the front row battle. Vickery was continually penalised and the Lions suffered as Smit’s side moved on to a 19-7 lead at the break with successful kicks from Pienaar.

It got worse for the visitors in what was probably the defining few minutes of the match. South Africa declined goal kicking chances; instead going for the jugular and gained the huge bonus of a try from Henrick Brussow, converted by Pienaar, after a powerful rolling maul.

As time slipped away, the Lions swarmed all over their opponents, aided in no small way as referee Lawrence reversed the penalty count in their favour. Croft got his second try and Mike Phillips grabbed another, both of them converted by Jones, and the Springboks were left hanging on desperately as the visiting fans roared their approval.

SOUTH AFRICA: F Steyn; JP Pietersen, A Jacobs, J de Villiers, B Habana; R Pienaar, F du Preez; T Mtawarira, B du Plessis, J Smit (capt); B Botha, V Matfield; H Brussow, P Spies, J Smith.

Replacements: D Rossouw for Brussow, 51; G Steenkamp for Smit, 66; D Carstens for Mtawarira, 67; M Steyn for Pienaar, 68; Pienaar for Jacobs, 73; Smit for Carstens, 75; R Januarie for du Preez, 76.

LIONS: L Byrne (Wales); T Bowe (Ireland), B O’Driscoll (Ireland), J Roberts (Wales), U Monye (England); S Jones (Wales), M Phillips (Wales); G Jenkins (Wales), L Mears (England), P Vickery (England); A-W Jones (Wales), P O’Connell (Ireland, capt); T Croft (England), J Heaslip (Ireland), D Wallace (Ireland).

Replacements: R Kearney for Byrne, 38; M Rees for Mears, 51; D Jones for Vickery, 43; M Williams for Wallace, 66.

Referee: B Lawrence (New Zealand).