Lions left to rue missed chances in opening test
Let's throw it back to Eden Park in 1994, to the second test between New Zealand and France. With the visitors having won the first game in Christchurch, they found themselves trailing behind while entering the final stages of the match. Cue that unmistakable French flair, as Philippe Saint-Andre launched a counter attack from his own 22, a series of brilliant passes and running lines between backs and forwards ensued. Full back Jean-Luc Sadourny finished off one of the greatest length of the field scores; 'the try from the end of the world' claimed a memorable test series victory for the French and a rare loss at Eden Park for the All Blacks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTwTi-UeQ7s
'Rare' is indeed the key word as the All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park since, and despite the Lions best efforts on Saturday morning, their impressive 23 year record still stands. Though it looked like the unbeaten record would be ended almost as identically as it began, with another outstanding try line to try line score. As Lions full back Liam Williams collected the ball from Anthony Watson in his own 22, he sidestepped the surging Kieran Read, and trotted across field looking like he was running himself into trouble. Yet Williams had other ideas, as he escaped the clutches of Aaron Cruden's tackle and found himself in acres of open space galloping up to the half way line. Running out of options, he rode a tackle and offloaded to his supporting centre Jonathan Davies who had the electric Eliot Daly in support on his left. The English winger then executed a subtle 'in and out' to wrong foot the chasing defender, as they now found themselves in the All Black 22; his inch perfect pass inside to Davies, with Sean O'Brien in close support finished off what has to go down as one of the greatest Lions tries.
Despite that one superb score, we are yet again left applauding the cut throat precision that puts the ruthless All Blacks head and shoulders above every other team in world rugby. After dominating the set piece against The Crusaders and The Maori, the Lions were expected to squeeze the life out of New Zealand and not allow them the space to attack in the wide open spaces. However you don't become back-to-back World Champions without an outstanding tight five, and so it proved with the All Blacks' ability to continually sack the Lions driving line-out, which had served them well so far. The Lions scrum didn't dominate, there was pretty much parity there until the All Black front row were able to get the shove on, and from this position captain Read flipped the ball superbly off the base to find Aaron Smith. With the Lions back-line out of position, there was no stopping the rapid Rieko Ioane scoring in the corner and that turned out to be the momentum changing score.
That was ultimately the difference between the two sides, that clinical edge to convert opportunities into tries when the pressure is on. The Lions again created many try scoring chances, they made numerous line breaks often through Jonathan Davies who was outstanding all game. If Daly had managed to ground the ball in the corner in the opening 5 minutes, and if they'd managed to get over the line just after the interval with the score poised at 13-8, then the result could have been very different.
As they head into the second test in Wellington, the Lions are now up against it, with the series in the balance. Of their 31 tour history, on only four occasions have the Lions gone on to win a series after losing the first test. If they are to level things up this Saturday and give themselves a decent chance of redemption, what tactical changes are required and does Gatland stick with the same matchday 23? Here's my suggestions:
Front Row
No changes here - props Tadhg Furlong and Mako Vunipola held up the scrum well before being substituted and Kyle Sinckler made his usual impact from the bench. However why was Jamie George taken off when the Lions lineout remained at 100%? Replacement hooker Ken Owens missed his man with his first throw when the Lions had worked hard to push into the opposing 22. Moral of the story: when a unit is functioning well, don't change it!
Second Row
Alun-Wyn Jones got the nod for his leadership and experience, but with a less than convincing display his starting place is surely under threat; Maro Itoje has to start in Wellington. George Kruis had the ball stripped off him by Sam Cane as he prepared to make a carry; he wasn't his usual self but Kruis is crucial to the running of the line-out, and his understanding with his hooker Jamie George is vital. If Courtney Lawes puts in another strong display against The Hurricanes on Tuesday then he can provide some energy from the bench.
Back Row
Talupe Faletau put in a monstrous shift making twenty tackles - so no questions in his selection. After making only five turnovers to the All Blacks ten, the Lions back row were dominated at ruck time. The efficiency of the All Black breakdown was vastly superior to their opponents', whereas the Lions often struggled to create quick ball; this was even more evident in the second half. Therefore they need a 'fetcher' who can force turnovers and slow down the pace of the New Zealand ruck - Sam Warburton is the man who can deliver this. Conversely in Auckland on Saturday, captain Peter O'Mahony was barely noticeable on the pitch, so bring in tour captain Warburton to start.
Half Backs
The box kicking tactic was a clear Lions' game plan, with Conor Murray putting numerous kicks high into the air to apply pressure on the All Black back three. It just didn't have the same effect as it had done against The Chiefs and The Maori. Rhys Webb provides so much zip from the bench and gives a fierce attacking threat around the fringes. The Lions will need Webb's energy to come firing out of the blocks in the second test. Owen Farrell looks a little shaky from the kicking tee on this tour, and Johnny Sexton was very poor when he came on to replace Ben Te'o - Sexton just wasn't on the same wavelength as Farrell.
Centres
No complaints here - Jonathan Davies was outstanding in both attack and defence. Ben Te'o, whilst not having the same impact in attack was superb in nullifying the threat of Sonny Bill Williams in the 12 channel.
Back Three
Gatland's decision to select Williams at full back was vindicated with the Scarlet at the heart of the Lions attack, even if he was at fault under the high ball which led to Ioane's second try. You feel the Lions have to continue with this attacking mindset if they are going to win a test. Unless Jack Nowell, George North or Tommy Seymour play an absolute blinder on Tuesday night, I can't see Daly or Watson being knocked out of their wing spots.
There's no doubt that there were plenty of encouraging signs for the tourists, by playing some attractive, attacking rugby they've shown that they have the ability to unlock this All Black defence. The Lions just have to be clinical and take their chances - if they don't, then you can sure as hell bet that the All Blacks will take theirs, and it'll be game over.
New Zealand played a direct and close-quarter game in the opening half, rather then the expansive offloading game that we're accustomed to seeing. Scrum half Smith gave short pop passes from the ruck to his forwards, who were able to offload and get in behind the Lions to make ground; it was incredibly effective, so the Lions need to be rock solid and aggressive in their fringe defence to stop it.
Again they'll need to be accurate at the line-out - Steve Borthwick will be working over time, trying to work out how the All Blacks were able to sack it so successfully. But overall they'll need to continue to take the game to Steve Hansen's side, by attacking from all angles and having the confidence to run it from deep when the time is right. The Lions need to throw everything at New Zealand from the first whistle, they can't wait until 50-60 minutes when the game might already be gone. Therefore selecting players like Itoje and Webb has to be from the off, to set the tone and the pace of the game.
The last time the Lions were in the Wellington cake tin, Dan Carter had the game of his life which catapulted him to stardom. Beauden Barrett is the man filling his number ten shirt this time, and he already has the potential to reach the same heights. For the Lion's sake let's hope they can keep him under control, level the series and take it into a decider third test - it's what the travelling British and Irish fans deserve.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTwTi-UeQ7s
'Rare' is indeed the key word as the All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park since, and despite the Lions best efforts on Saturday morning, their impressive 23 year record still stands. Though it looked like the unbeaten record would be ended almost as identically as it began, with another outstanding try line to try line score. As Lions full back Liam Williams collected the ball from Anthony Watson in his own 22, he sidestepped the surging Kieran Read, and trotted across field looking like he was running himself into trouble. Yet Williams had other ideas, as he escaped the clutches of Aaron Cruden's tackle and found himself in acres of open space galloping up to the half way line. Running out of options, he rode a tackle and offloaded to his supporting centre Jonathan Davies who had the electric Eliot Daly in support on his left. The English winger then executed a subtle 'in and out' to wrong foot the chasing defender, as they now found themselves in the All Black 22; his inch perfect pass inside to Davies, with Sean O'Brien in close support finished off what has to go down as one of the greatest Lions tries.
 |
| Liam Williams was superb in attack for the Lions |
Despite that one superb score, we are yet again left applauding the cut throat precision that puts the ruthless All Blacks head and shoulders above every other team in world rugby. After dominating the set piece against The Crusaders and The Maori, the Lions were expected to squeeze the life out of New Zealand and not allow them the space to attack in the wide open spaces. However you don't become back-to-back World Champions without an outstanding tight five, and so it proved with the All Blacks' ability to continually sack the Lions driving line-out, which had served them well so far. The Lions scrum didn't dominate, there was pretty much parity there until the All Black front row were able to get the shove on, and from this position captain Read flipped the ball superbly off the base to find Aaron Smith. With the Lions back-line out of position, there was no stopping the rapid Rieko Ioane scoring in the corner and that turned out to be the momentum changing score.
 |
| Rieko Ioane scored two tries |
As they head into the second test in Wellington, the Lions are now up against it, with the series in the balance. Of their 31 tour history, on only four occasions have the Lions gone on to win a series after losing the first test. If they are to level things up this Saturday and give themselves a decent chance of redemption, what tactical changes are required and does Gatland stick with the same matchday 23? Here's my suggestions:
Front Row
No changes here - props Tadhg Furlong and Mako Vunipola held up the scrum well before being substituted and Kyle Sinckler made his usual impact from the bench. However why was Jamie George taken off when the Lions lineout remained at 100%? Replacement hooker Ken Owens missed his man with his first throw when the Lions had worked hard to push into the opposing 22. Moral of the story: when a unit is functioning well, don't change it!
Second Row
Alun-Wyn Jones got the nod for his leadership and experience, but with a less than convincing display his starting place is surely under threat; Maro Itoje has to start in Wellington. George Kruis had the ball stripped off him by Sam Cane as he prepared to make a carry; he wasn't his usual self but Kruis is crucial to the running of the line-out, and his understanding with his hooker Jamie George is vital. If Courtney Lawes puts in another strong display against The Hurricanes on Tuesday then he can provide some energy from the bench.
Back Row
Talupe Faletau put in a monstrous shift making twenty tackles - so no questions in his selection. After making only five turnovers to the All Blacks ten, the Lions back row were dominated at ruck time. The efficiency of the All Black breakdown was vastly superior to their opponents', whereas the Lions often struggled to create quick ball; this was even more evident in the second half. Therefore they need a 'fetcher' who can force turnovers and slow down the pace of the New Zealand ruck - Sam Warburton is the man who can deliver this. Conversely in Auckland on Saturday, captain Peter O'Mahony was barely noticeable on the pitch, so bring in tour captain Warburton to start.
Half Backs
The box kicking tactic was a clear Lions' game plan, with Conor Murray putting numerous kicks high into the air to apply pressure on the All Black back three. It just didn't have the same effect as it had done against The Chiefs and The Maori. Rhys Webb provides so much zip from the bench and gives a fierce attacking threat around the fringes. The Lions will need Webb's energy to come firing out of the blocks in the second test. Owen Farrell looks a little shaky from the kicking tee on this tour, and Johnny Sexton was very poor when he came on to replace Ben Te'o - Sexton just wasn't on the same wavelength as Farrell.
Centres
No complaints here - Jonathan Davies was outstanding in both attack and defence. Ben Te'o, whilst not having the same impact in attack was superb in nullifying the threat of Sonny Bill Williams in the 12 channel.
Back Three
Gatland's decision to select Williams at full back was vindicated with the Scarlet at the heart of the Lions attack, even if he was at fault under the high ball which led to Ioane's second try. You feel the Lions have to continue with this attacking mindset if they are going to win a test. Unless Jack Nowell, George North or Tommy Seymour play an absolute blinder on Tuesday night, I can't see Daly or Watson being knocked out of their wing spots.
There's no doubt that there were plenty of encouraging signs for the tourists, by playing some attractive, attacking rugby they've shown that they have the ability to unlock this All Black defence. The Lions just have to be clinical and take their chances - if they don't, then you can sure as hell bet that the All Blacks will take theirs, and it'll be game over.
New Zealand played a direct and close-quarter game in the opening half, rather then the expansive offloading game that we're accustomed to seeing. Scrum half Smith gave short pop passes from the ruck to his forwards, who were able to offload and get in behind the Lions to make ground; it was incredibly effective, so the Lions need to be rock solid and aggressive in their fringe defence to stop it.
Again they'll need to be accurate at the line-out - Steve Borthwick will be working over time, trying to work out how the All Blacks were able to sack it so successfully. But overall they'll need to continue to take the game to Steve Hansen's side, by attacking from all angles and having the confidence to run it from deep when the time is right. The Lions need to throw everything at New Zealand from the first whistle, they can't wait until 50-60 minutes when the game might already be gone. Therefore selecting players like Itoje and Webb has to be from the off, to set the tone and the pace of the game.
The last time the Lions were in the Wellington cake tin, Dan Carter had the game of his life which catapulted him to stardom. Beauden Barrett is the man filling his number ten shirt this time, and he already has the potential to reach the same heights. For the Lion's sake let's hope they can keep him under control, level the series and take it into a decider third test - it's what the travelling British and Irish fans deserve.
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