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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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