Baby Boks look to add to wounded Lions’ dented pride
The Lions, who were battered in Saturday’s opening test are desperate to return to winning ways ahead of their second match against the host nation at the weekend.
But home coach, Dick Muir, who is also in charge of the senior team’s back division, believes his side could derail Lions’ hopes of rescuing the series.
“There is no doubt that it would be a major psychological blow (to them) for us to win this game. It would send out a signal but we do know that there will be two very different (Lions) teams playing between Tuesday and Saturday.”
Muir praised the Lions for the quality of rugby they produced in the opening Test and warned members of his back division that improvement is required especially when facing Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts.
“It’s something that we must come to grips with; they are two quality players and they played very well, but they also got away with too much from our defence which was not acceptable.”
Muir promised the Lions can expect a physical contest tonight. In that sense, Irish referee Alain Rolland, a touch-judge in last week’s dogged encounter, will have to be at his most vigilant and the Lions will be demanding as much.
In the few days leading up to the crucial second Test, the last thing the Lions need is to feel the brunt of illegal physical confrontation through injury. Already they face an intimidating night with two front row forwards having just arrived in South Africa and forced to (but pleased to) don the Lions jersey for the first time on this tour.
The home side might not be too clever in trying to take on the vastly experienced John Hayes, but they will surely try to unsettle rookie English loose head Tim Payne, an inexplicable selection ahead of Marcus Horan, whom Ian McGeechan admitted was considered for – and was available for – selection.
Places remain up for grabs in the Test side although the challenge has clearly shifted away from the front row which, on Saturday, will now assuredly be made up of three Welshmen.
But the second row partner for the captain Paul O’Connell still hasn’t been decided upon, and after a lacklustre display by Alun-Wyn Jones, there is a huge window of opportunity for Donncha O’Callaghan.
Shane Williams still has an outside chance, and at his best would be a huge threat to the Boks, but Luke Fitzgerald’s selection on the left wing is most interesting.
With Ugo Monye under pressure, Fitzgerald could make a huge statement with a good performance.
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