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Brent Popes Lions Player Watch After Lions 26 Western Province 23.

Despite being somewhat fortuitous to come away with a 3 point win against the Western Province in soggy Capetown courtesy of replacement fullback James Hooks last gasp penalty goal, the Lions management team will  still be pleased at being given such a vigorous hit-out just a week out from the main event. A one sided win for the tourists would have been facile for the Lions preparation leading up to the first test, and would not have allowed Coach Ian McGeechan an opportunity to assess if some of his fringe “test” players had what it takes for the big stage.

Coach McGeechan has talked about the need to “put themselves under pressure” in training for the much tighter test matches, and while the game could have gone either way, and probably should have resulted in a draw, once again in the last few minutes the Lions were patient, played the phases well and gave themselves every chance to win. The Western Province did the opposite, turning over two vital scrums in Lions territory, snapping at a reckless 50 metre drop goal in swirling winds and making far too many errors when they just needed to refocus. There lay the difference in the two teams, and the difference between winning and losing. Winning soon becomes a habit and the Lions have it, just.

While the Lions continue to experience problems in turning over ball and a mounting penalty count, they did show a willingness to dig in for a win, an early indication that the Lions camp are beginning to gel together as a unit, something that Clive Woodward did not achieve in 2005, when constant infighting between players quickly caused dissention in the Lions camp. Some problems still exist in the Lions defensive policy and they need to be ironed out quickly. It is now common knowledge (by the Springboks) that the Lions defence coach Shaun Edwards and his forwards Coach Warren Gatland, both favour a aggressive in your face defence policy that attempts to shut out the opposition attack from the outside in. This means that players rush up in a banana shape on the outsides more quickly, in a philosophy that aims at preventing teams from trying to get the ball wide. The older and perhaps more traditional way of defending, was what players used to call the “one out or drift defence” where the defender preferred to stay on the inside shoulder of the ball carrier thus pushing the players outwards rather than back in. Edwards and Gatlands policy proved reasonably successful over the years with Ireland, Wasps and Wales, but it definitely has its flaws as well, firstly its success is based around all the players (especially the centres) coming up in an even line to cut down the space.

This week the Lions were wrongly penalised for moving up too quickly on a couple of occasions, but in reality the Lions were just too efficient, and while they were actually all behind the last mans feet and legal, the touch judges and referees saw  it differently.  In effect these penalties and those for not staying on their feet a ruck-time just kept the opposition in the game. Ian McGeechan and Paul O’Connell must breach this point of “not” being offside with the media and referees this week, otherwise they will be penalised time and time again.

Really this week’s game in Capetown was nothing to do with what the opposition did, but more about a few test positions still up for grabs. Going into this game Ian McGeechan needed to know who his test front row would be, find another partner for Paul O’Connell, finalise the composition of the wings, determine whether Welsh veteran Martyn Williams could usurp David Wallace from the number 7 jersey and copperfasten his out half. In an area where most of the home union teams are struggling, namely in the quality of their props, the Lions are blessed in this area. In all the games to date, the Lions front row has dominated in South Africa, granted the opposition teams are missing their Springbok squad members, but with current South African Captain John Smit now looking like he may be forced to play on the tighthead side of the scrum rather than in his usual position of hooker, the Lions appear to have the early ascendancy in this area.  Scottish strongman Euan Murray made a huge difference when he came off the bench on Saturday, actually forcing two crucial scrum turnover against the head in the last few minutes, while England Captain Phil Vickery was superb around the park and would also offer Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll extra leadership qualities on the pitch against South Africa. Andrew Sheridan has had a relatively good tour to date, but Gethin Jenkins has better body position at ruck time and is a better ball carrier around the park, the only thing that counts against Jenkins is Jonathon Kaplan’s insistence that Jenkins scrums illegally, it may rub off on some of his colleagues. Against this background I still predict a starting frontrow for the first test of Jenkins, Lee Mears and Vickery with Murray to come off the bench.

In the second row Scotland’s resident Australian Nathan Hines, a forward who has developed a harder edge with Perpignan this year, has played particularly well in his two outings to date, and may just have edged pundits favourite Alun Wyn Jones to partner Captain Paul O’Connell. Hines does not possess Jones mobility, but can match the bulky South Africans in the tight, while Paul O’Connell carries ball, the decsion of who will play second row ultimately depends on the way the Lions want to play the game or more significantly the way they see the Springboks playing them, namely will it be an open, running game plan or a tighter, mauling one. I sense that McGeechan will say “that he has too win the battle up front first” and if this remains his policy, then Hines may well start.

The wing positions have almost sorted themselves out as well, even before Tuesday afternoon’s match, with Ulster and Ireland’s wing Tommy Bowe quickly becoming the player of the tour to date. Bowe, often chastised in the media prior to Irelands Grand Slam winning season has been one of the world’s most improved players this year. Strong and with an ability to offload in the tackle (courtesy of a season with the Ospreys), Bowe makes up for a lack of real top end speed with excellent lines of running, intelligence and an ability to finish well and pop up in the best places on the park. On the other wing Luke Fitzgerald still has a chance if he gets a start on Tuesday, but England’s Ugo Moyne seems to have done enough now, with another excellent display on Saturday. Moyne looks a little awkward at times, with a slightly ugly running style, but he is deceptively quick, and has improved his kick and chase game and defence immeasurably on this tour.

The back row has now become the most difficult area for McGeechan to select from, especially who to start at no 7. Presuming that McGeechan does not opt for both Wallace and Williams to start on the flanks which would be foolish, then Tom Croft and Jamie Heaslip are sure to be selected at No 6 and No 8 respectively. Martyn Williams is perhaps a better link player than David Wallace, and is a better forager on the ground, while Wallace is the more dynamic player with the ball in hand, and clears out the opposition better than the Welshman at ruck time. With the Lions likely to use the likes of Jamie Roberts and Brian O’Driscoll to crash the centres, then they need a player on their shoulder to continue play over the gain line, and that player is Wallace. But if the Lions do not win at least 50% of the first phase possession, then Williams may be the more valuable acquisition given his better reading and play at the all important breakdown area.

Unfortunately while Stephan Jones did not have a great game, his Welsh combination with scrumhalf certainty Mike Phillips will probably see him start ahead of the improving Ronan O’Gara, with James Hook’s extra versatility keeping O’Gara off the bench. While Tuesday’s last chance saloon match is still an outside chance for some players like Fitzgerald and perhaps O’Gara to stake a claim, it would seem that most of the team is already in ink.

My starting XV for the first test.

Lee Byrne

Tommy Bowe

Brian O’Driscoll

Jamie Roberts

Ugo Moyne

Stephen Jones

Mike Phillips

Jamie Heaslip

David Wallace

Tom Croft

Paul O’Connell

Nathan Hines

Gethin Jenkins

Lee Mears

Phil Vickery

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BRENT POPE – PLAYER WATCH – MATCH  3 

The tale of this tour to date reads 3 games played, and 3 games won, but things are not that simple. Yesterday the Lions started this match as they had finished Wednesdays match, namely crisp, cohesive and clinical. For 20 minutes the Lions scored at a point a minute against the unfortunately named Cheetahs, who at that stage looked anything like the fastest animal in the world.

The Lions young backline that contained an untried midfield combination of Luke Fitzgerald and Keith Earls at inside and outside centre respectively could not have made a better start, especially Earls who latched onto a pinpoint James Hook grubber kick and weaved his way to the tryline. It was a fantastic moment for young Earls, especially after his first match, and you could see what it meant to the touring party as well who all stood and clapped to a man when they realised that Earls confidence was now back.

Ulster’s Stephen Ferris completed a great start for the Irish with another try that underlined his power and pace, but just when we started to think that the Lions might run away with it they shut up shop and allowed the Cheetahs to not only come back into the game but win it. Had the hosts converted several kicking opportunies including a last minute drop goal attempt that shaved the posts then they would have surely won, and based on the last 60 minutes they would have probably deserved it.

The Lions dominated the set pieces so convincingly that it appeared as if the Cheetahs would have to live on scraps. The Lions scrum anchored by the impressive Andrew Sheridan was powerful and destructive, often reeling the Cheetahs backwards, but too often the Cheetahs just wheeled the retreating scrum so that it negated the effect, while Munster’s Donncha O’Callaghan and Captain Paul O’Connell nearly got a hand to every one of the opposition throw ins.

In the backs Welshman James Hook followed in Ronan O’Gara and Stephen Jones boots by converting every penalty the Lions received so as the butler asked George Best when he lay on his bed with Miss World and covered in casino winnings “where did it all go wrong”? The Lions simply lost all momentum and rhythm because once again they lost the battle of the loose ball, and like against the Royal XV on day 1 after that they struggled for a triumvirate of loose forwards that could get to the ball first and keep the continuity play going.

While the loose forwards have all played reasonably well as individuals, they are yet to gel as a unit, which not only gets to the loose play first, but also effects turnovers and blows the opposition infringers off the ball. In my opinion the best combination for the 6, 7 and 8 axis is this, a fast, groundhog type of no 7 who beats his opposite number to the ball, normally a player slightly shorter than his other 2 flankers but quicker. The ideal No 6 is the taller, powerful more stocky type of player, a man that blows fringe players off the ball and is a good tail of the lineout option. The third of the trinity is the No 8, a strong and intelligent ball carrier who makes yards off the set scrum, controls ball at the base of that scrum and acts as an intelligent link between backs and forwards. In just under two weeks time and against the full Springboks the Lions will face such a perfect unit in Smith, Burger and Spies the ideal backrow, against this the Lions management need to quickly determine their test back row sooner than later, and more significantly give them some  discernible game time together.

Time and time again yesterday the Lions just got into good field position and with some effective phases built when they turned over the ball, granted sometimes it was illegal playing of the ball on the ground by the Cheetahs, but a lot of the time it was simply the play of the magnificent Cheetahs No 6 Heinrech Brussow (how is he not in the current Springbok test squad?) who time after time plundered the Lions at ruck and tackle time. Referee Wayne Barnes was in my opinion  far too lax in determining if the likes of Brussow was back on his feet before he played the ball especially after the tackle, but like all good flankers, Brussow and co  just play to the letter of the law, and if he is let away with it, he will do it-all day!  

Joe Worsley proved yesterday that he is not an International 7, and while he may play there for England, to me he is a defensive no 6 and should not be switched to the openside of the scrum again on this tour. Welsh No 8 Andy Powell started the game very well, but then reverted back to his old one trick pony self, Powell is a powerful ball carrier no doubt, but his control of the ball at the base of the scrum is slow and spasmodic, while his failure to look for space with his running is the main reason why he cannot make the staring XV for both club or country. Twice yesterday Powell made crucial mistakes that a schoolboy player would not make, once he ran to the openside of the field from a set scrum when he did not have the support of an openside flanker (Stephen Ferris was yellow carded at the time and Joe Worsley had moved to the blindside of the scrum) and with out support he lost the ball. Then minutes later he tried to run the ball back from a defensive scrum and again was turned over. It is vital he communicates with the rest of his forwards; they need to know when and where he is headed.

When I played rugby in New Zealand the ball and retention of it was gold, if your team lost the ball when you went into contact with it, it was your fault and you would have been singled out harshly at the next training session. The Lions need to tighten up this area of play before the first test, otherwise they can assume that without domination of the set pieces which they have enjoyed in all three matches to date, where will they get enough second phase ball to play with? Warren Gatland will have the players working on retaining the ball in contact, lower body positions, speed to the loose ball and blowing out the South African bodies at ruck time.

The South Africans also showed that the reinstatement of the maul will suit them come test time, and it is an area that may test the Lions severely when they meet the bigger bulkier packs, it was always a traditionally strong area of play for the physical Boks, and it is back!

Elsewhere there was encouraging signs from England scrumhalf Harry Ellis who had a sharp pass and looked lively. Outhalf James Hook had an excellent first 20 minutes when he looked confident and assured, but after that his quick ruck ball slowed to a dribble and as a result the backline didn’t really have any front foot momentum. That sort of slow, disjointed play did not help Luke Fitzgerald’s cause, and while the Irish and Leinster winger tried valiantly and showed encouraging glimpses of his dancing feet, he will regret not having a decent shot at his rightful position. Fitzgerald has been slightly hard done by to date, and he must be allowed to play in his best position of wing in the next few games so that he can challenge for a test position.

Shane Williams again showed that his lack of size will not cut it in South Africa, and it will be a major surprise if he gets a test position, if he does it will be on reputation only and while he has been given a handful of chances on the wing already, the likes of Fitzgerald has had none.  Fullback Lee Byrne again showed that his angles of running, insertion into the backline and especially his pinpoint up and under kicks means that he has already nailed down the fullback berth for the first test anyway. On the other wing Leigh Halfpenny chased kicks well, but like the others didn’t really get a chance to show a clean pair of heels.

From an Irish point of view Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan performed wonders out of touch, while Stephen Ferris again showed what a wrecking ball of a player he is, just shading England’s Tom Croft to date with a performance full of vim and vigour. Ferris has revealed an amazing turn of speed for such a big man on this tour, and his probably the no 6 for the first test based on his two outings. Keith Earls took his try very well with an excellent chase, regain and swerve, he also carried ball well into contact for a relatively light man and performed his duties reasonably well, but like Fitzgerald and others he will be disappointed that after the first 20 minutes he did not really get a chance to show his obvious attacking prowess.

So the winning record is still in tact, just, and thanks mainly to a lack of goal kicking from the opposition, and while there are some positives in the Lions strength and depth, their northern hemisphere fitness levels and their complete domination of scrums and lineouts, there is also major concerns in the high penalty count, loss of ball in the contact area and an inability to be more clinical close to the opposition line. There will also be some concern over the referees interpretation of what happens at the ruck and tackle area and the illegal feed to the scrum by the South African halfbacks, it seems that while the lineout throws are being scrutinised heavily, the South African scrumhalves are still practically putting the ball under the second rows feet so that they can win it back.

Brent Pope player ratings

·       Lee Byrne: 7: Didn’t get to see as much of the ball in attack as he would have expected after 20 minutes, but always broke the gain line, and at least kicked so players had a chance of regaining the ball. Dropped a sitter and knocked on to give the Cheetahs a royal chance to steel the game. Still the test 15 at this stage.

·       Leigh Halfpenny: 6: Chased kicks well, tackled well when asked to chase back, but like the other backs had nothing to do when supply dried up.

·       Shane Williams: 5: Tried far too hard to squirm and shiver out of tackles. Gains ground but is like a pinball and loses his support in doing so.  Was pushed off a couple of times by bigger players, and telegraphed the intercept past out of pure desperation.

·       Luke Fitzgerald 6: Clearly and foolishly played out of position for such a young and talented player. Too light for the crash and bash play in South Africa. Brave in the tackle, and showed good feet on occasions. Multi talented but must be tried where he is best. A failed and wasted experiment put him on the wing or at fullback.

·       Keith Earls 6: An excellent start, but then the ball dried up for Earls and co. Tackled well and showed his strength on occasion, probably needs an more experienced player like D’Arcy alongside him just to garnish his obvious speed and talent. Will be much happier than last week.

·       James Hook: 7.5. Kicked for goal well, passed and tackled well and had good lateral vision for Earls try. Jury is still out on whether he can run a backline in the heat of battle as well as Jones or O’Gara, but looked a good bet off the bench.

·       Harry Ellis 7:  A far better tour opener than Mike Blair and looked quite sharp. Tends to panic a bit from free kicks, but at least looked to add some spark to the loose play. Not as physical as Mike Phillips and will not start the first test.

·       Andy Powell 5: Started like a freight train, but then reverted back to seeking out players to hit rather than running to space. Lost the ball far too many times in contact and did not communicate well enough from the vital position of No 8. Will not challenge for a test spot on this tour, and will play a minimal role.

·       Stephan Ferris.7.5: Possibly the pick of the Lions pack. Strong and mobile, he also adds considerable weight at scrum time. Made some good takes in the lineout to cap off another fine game. Is in direct competition with Tom Croft for the test No 6 jersey.

·       Joe Worseley. 7: Tried harder than anybody, especially in the tackle area, but far too slow for an International 7. Must be now played at No 6 only.  But overall brave and committed.

·      Donnacha O’Callaghan 6.5: Brilliant in the lineout, and scrummed hard, but would have liked to get his hands on the ball more. However did a feast of donkey work and will get better with each outing.

·       Paul O’Connell 7: A massive amount of work carrying ball, but this needs to be varied more from now, as the South Africans have quickly recognised him as one of the danger men. Always has two men lying in wait for him, but began to offload and change points of attack well. Excellent again in the lineout.

·       Euan Murray 6: Scrummed well, but didn’t offer enough around the field or in rucks. Is under pressure for a test spot, and needs to offer more than just a powerful scrum

·       Ross Ford 6.5: Again not mobile enough after his usual duties needs to offer himself as an additional ball carrier just to take the mantle of O’Connell. Is well behind Lee Mears at this stage, and how Jerry Flannery would have loved the hard rounds.

·       Andrew Sheridan 7: Was the strongest man on the park and drove a one-sided scrum, but again needs to use his huge frame more effectively in the loose.

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The Lions Rugby Team Selection has been
made and the  interest levels are rising to
stratospheric levels not least in South Africa where
Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has expressed
shock that the captains of England, Scotland and
Wales have been left out of the Lions squad.
Lions coach Ian McGeechan chose a 37-man squad
but left out Steve Borthwick, Mike Blair and Ryan
Jones.
“The one thing that surprised me was that the
leaders of three home nations weren’t included in the
squad, de Villiers told BBC Radio 5 Live.
The guys that play under those guys respect them.
He added: Those are the guys that can stand up in
meetings and try to resolve small niggles and things
that can evolve on a long tour like this.
De Villiers also believes that the decision to appoint
Ireland Lock Paul O’Connell as Lions captain ahead
of regular Ireland skipper Brian O’Driscoll could be
costly. Any chance here that they are trying to make
the mood in the camp sour?

Brian O’Driscoll was the captain of the last Lions
team, even though he got injured, and he was the
captain of the most successful Six Nations team this
year. That’s a second big surprise.
Additionally, De Villiers was sceptical of
McGeechan’s decision to pack his team with
physically imposing players who could combat the
powerful Boks.
If McGeechan wants to sit down and try to match
the Springboks then I think that is the wrong thing,
he said.
If he wants to say ‘this is our strength, this is how we
want to play the game, these are the people who can
do the job for me’ then I can justify any selection he
has made.
But I will not sit down and say ‘they are going to do
this, so I should do this’. I am more focused on what
I want to do and I will find the talent and the players
to do the job for us.
The Lions Tour 2009 tour officially begins on 30
May. The Lions Rugby Tour fixtures start with a
game against a Highveld XV with the Tests against
the Springboks starting on 20 June.
The quest for Lions Rugby Tour Tickets has begun
with lots of rugby mad fans already rushing out to
buy their Lions Rugby Jersey 2009!